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They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)

They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)
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A total of nine Academy Award nominations went to this wildly acclaimed, allegorical drama set amongst the contestants in a marathon dance contest during the Great Depression. Gig Young stars as Rocky, the obnoxious emcee for a dance marathon that offers prize money of $1,500, a small fortune during hard economic times that brings out the worst in several participants. Among them are Gloria Beatty (Jane Fonda), a malcontent who's partnered with a drifter, Robert Syverton (Michael Sarrazin); a pregnant farm girl (Bonnie Bedelia) and her husband (Bruce Dern); a sailor (Red Buttons); and an aspiring actress (Susannah York). As the marathon winds into a staggering second month, suspicion, doubt and insecurity rages among the competitors and even the decaying and increasingly manipulative Rocky, leading to a shocking crime. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Starring:
Jane Fonda, Michael Sarrazin, (more)
Director(s):
Sydney Pollack
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

A total of nine Academy Award nominations went to this wildly acclaimed, allegorical drama set amongst the contestants in a marathon dance contest during the Great Depression. Gig Young stars as Rocky, the obnoxious emcee for a dance marathon that offers prize money of $1,500, a small fortune during hard economic times that brings out the worst in several participants. Among them are Gloria Beatty (Jane Fonda), a malcontent who's partnered with a drifter, Robert Syverton (Michael Sarrazin); a pregnant farm girl (Bonnie Bedelia) and her husband (Bruce Dern); a sailor (Red Buttons); and an aspiring actress (Susannah York). As the marathon winds into a staggering second month, suspicion, doubt and insecurity rages among the competitors and even the decaying and increasingly manipulative Rocky, leading to a shocking crime. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
120 mins

Complete Cast of They Shoot Horses, Don't They?


Director(s):
Sydney Pollack
Writer(s):
Robert E. Thompson, Sydney Pollack, James Poe
Producer(s):
Robert Chartoff, Sydney Pollack, Irwin Winkler
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG(Mild Violence, Adult Situations)
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? Awards:
  • 1970 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Supporting Actress
  • 1969 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
  • 1969 - National Board of Review - Best Picture
  • 1969 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actress
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    Craig R.

    The first time I saw this movie, I knew I had just seen something really special. I was only twelve or so and in the days before cable tv it was rare to see such a raw vision of life on screen (unless you were at the cinema). The acting and the camera work are both superb and both place you squarely in middle of this story. The frantic pace of the 'elimination' dances can leave you breathless and dizzy. The movie works on many levels and the ending is as it should be..... ...... a great movie that makes my top 25 list.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Kieran D.

    This is a movie about what happens when you break people down physically and subject them to sleep deprivation. It's kind of creepy and depressing to watch. Maybe it has some artistic merit but it's not a fun film to watch.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Matthew S.

    "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" is a classic piece of cinema which can be very easily misunderstood. If what you think you're going to watch is a dance contest, then you're going to be disappointed. Instead, it's an insightful piece about lost souls temporarily finding a place to gather, with the hope of a better life contrasted against stark, harsh reality. If you don't pick up on subtext, then this isn't the movie for you. From the Jean Harlow wannabe Susannah York to the wide eyed country boy Michael Sarrazin, everyone involved is there for their own reasons, from aimlessness to trying to hold onto their fleeting beauty or age, to the pure desperation of not knowing where your next meal will come from. Everyone is looking to win something of their own from this contest, and the ending is very much in keeping with the stark, unforgiving hopes of The Depression. Not for the faint of heart.

    Yes   |   No

     
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