The Horsemen (1970)

The Horsemen (1970)
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Director John Frankenheimer, extrapolating from his earlier films The Gypsy Moths and Grand Prix, examines machismo and how men test themselves to the limits of endurance in The Horsemen. The film takes place in modern day Afghanistan. Uraz (Omar Sharif), the son of Tursen (Jack Palance), the stable master for a feudal lord, is a master horseman who lives by a primitive code of honor. Uruz's family honor is damaged when he breaks his leg playing the game which is the Afghani equivalent of polo. His father, who lost a lot of money betting on his son, will barely speak to him. To regain the family honor (and wealth) he must somehow re-learn how to ride -- after his injuries cost him his leg below the knee. In the face of great obstacles, and despite the derision and treachery of others, he gains the chance to play in the games given by the king of Afghanistan. The footage of the horsemanship in these dangerous and anarchic games is one of the real highlights of this film. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

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Starring:
Omar SharifLeigh Taylor-Young, (more)
Director(s):
John Frankenheimer
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of The Horsemen

Director John Frankenheimer, extrapolating from his earlier films The Gypsy Moths and Grand Prix, examines machismo and how men test themselves to the limits of endurance in The Horsemen. The film takes place in modern day Afghanistan. Uraz (Omar Sharif), the son of Tursen (Jack Palance), the stable master for a feudal lord, is a master horseman who lives by a primitive code of honor. Uruz's family honor is damaged when he breaks his leg playing the game which is the Afghani equivalent of polo. His father, who lost a lot of money betting on his son, will barely speak to him. To regain the family honor (and wealth) he must somehow re-learn how to ride -- after his injuries cost him his leg below the knee. In the face of great obstacles, and despite the derision and treachery of others, he gains the chance to play in the games given by the king of Afghanistan. The footage of the horsemanship in these dangerous and anarchic games is one of the real highlights of this film. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
109 mins

Complete Cast of The Horsemen


Director(s):
John Frankenheimer
Writer(s):
Dalton Trumbo
Producer(s):
Edward Lewis
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG(Violence, Brief Nudity, Questionable for Children)
Categories:
Action / Adventure
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Member Reviews
 
Deborah S.

If you really want to know what Afghanistan is like even today you need to watch this movie. I is a great movie.

Yes   |   No

 
Lisa A.

Sluggish and confusing in that I couldn't tell what or who the plot was built upon .. definately shaky in that respect. The byline of the film blathers about dreams and a horse, but the title itself infers it's about the horsemen ... and a girl causing trouble of course in one way or another. The film itself skips, trundles, and swirls about with little meaningful dialogue to glue it together. The animal fighting scenes made me sick to my stomach, not to mention the "totem" used in the horse competition. Beautiful imagery but lost in a muck of tangled plot lines. Palance as an Afghani tribesman was a bit hard to swallow as well. Sharif just broods. The horse was the greatest actor in the film. This alone foretells to any prospective viewer what to expect.

Yes   |   No

 
Nancy W.

Fantastic horsemanship, beautiful scenery. That along makes a good story great, a worthwhile watch.

Yes   |   No

 
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