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

They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

Great Sydney Pollack movie. Yes it is a slower pace but the movie represents people going though tough times in America. A film with a story line like this will never be filmed because capitalist exploitation is no longer this overt. July 7, 2008

excellent

what a great film. the plot entails the spectacle of a dance marathon to win the grand prize of 1500 dollars. it smartly explores the harsh realities of exploitation and vouyerism in our culture. the characters are fascinatingly portrayed, especially fonda for her brokenness and bitterness. the humanity of these people will open your eyes and heart. the film is tremendously engaging and it shouldn't disappoint anyone looking to feel the power of a classic portrayal of suffering, desperation and the human condition. June 13, 2008

A powerhouse

A powerful movie that breaks your heart witnessing the human suffering that was part of the Great Depression. Gig Young's performance is over the top but one wonders how it could be anything else. Jane Fonda shows she was an actress and not merely a celebrity and Michael Sarazan, whatever happened to him? is a JFK look alike as one of the walking wounded of the depression. June 2, 2008

My all time favorite film

Sydney Pollack died today, and I have yet to see this movie mentioned in any of his obituaries. This is criminal. He produced, in this early film of his, an enduring masterpiece that is a must see for every lover of film, and for every person seeking to know Truth.

I first saw this movie on my way to my second tour in Vietnam. It was the only movie showing at the post theater and I never would have gone to it otherwise. I did not have the least interest in the subject matter and despised Jane Fonda.

The movie is a horrible, grueling experience. You are wishing, hoping, that something will happen that will give some relief, but it just keeps going down. This beautiful, but desperate young couple just tries and tries and tries, but by the end every hope is dashed, every dream has become a nightmare, and every possibility is crushed. And then it gets worse.

No movie has ever made me so angry or so depressed. As I walked out of the theater, I kept asking myself, "What kind of sick mind would think they are entertaining people with this sad, and hopeless story?" "WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?"

Then it hit me. This was the most realistic portrayal of the human experience I had ever seen or read. This movie is each of our life's story (if there was no God). This is how the world works. This is how we are tricked all our lives to give our best performance, and this is really what we all get in the end.

Reviews that say it is a historical film about the depression era totally miss the depth of meaning. The location, the music, the costumes etc. are secondary. The portrayal of Gig Young's seduction of these poor starving people, the raising of their hopes, the full measure of effort, the total exhaustion, the crushing of their dreams, and worse; it is the actors full measure you can't forget.

"They Shoot Horses Don't They" is the most amazingly honest film I have ever seen in my life. It has become my favorite because it takes away the curtain and reveals who we really are, the world we live in, and our destiny. God Help Us.


May 27, 2008

It's Fear Factor 1930's Style

THEY SHOOT HORSES DON'T THEY? is a skillfully acted motion picture that brings a desperate seedy side of 1930's Hollywood/Santa Monica back to life with close attention to detail. The setting is an ocean front dance hall the viewer presumes is in Santa Monica or some other nearby beach town and many of the participants in the dance marathon held there are Hollywood hopefuls. Aside from possibly catching the attention of a movie casting agent the dancers stay in the long grueling marathon for hope of winning a $1500 prize (split between the dancing partners) and free food and shelter during their short breaks when they are not swaying on the dance floor to entertain the ghoulish spectators who throw pennies at their favorite participants.

The movie has many capable actors and Gig Young is the most impressive in his role of Rocky the manipulative M.C. of the marathon. Jane Fonda is very good as the bitter cynical Gloria though she gives Gloria way too much tenacity for life to make me believe that she would end up as the movie portrays. Susannah York is also very good as a British Jean Harlow type who wants to make it big in Hollywood as is Red Buttons as "the ancient mariner" a fiftyish sailor who is much much older than the rest of the "kids" and whose amazing stamina can only hold up so long. I had more trouble believing in Gloria's dance partner "Robbie" as played by Michael Sarrazin who is the shooter of the title and who never came across as an authentic character to me. Other famous names in the film include Bonnie Bedalia as the pregnant "Okie" Ruby, Bruce Dern as Ruby's husband, Al Lewis from THE MUNSTERS as a worker at the dance hall and Michael Conrad of Hill Street Blues fame playing a marathon referee.

The movie is set in 1932 and was released in 1969 just thirty-seven years later. Here's a sobering thought for Baby Boomers like myself. The time elapsed is less than that of a movie made today about hippies and Vietnam War protesters of the late 60's. April 6, 2008

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