Films/DVD Asylum

"They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" A very well thought of

71.34.255.141

tinear

film from the 70s which, unfortunately, hasn't aged well, at all.
I suppose if you're a diehard fan of Jane Fonda it's worth it.
All others-------- beware!

Follow Ups:

I saw it on initial release and didn't think much of it. - Wendell Narrod 17:04:13 04/30/09 (1)
What do you mean it hasn't "aged well"? I associate that description with acting style or cinematography.

-Wendell
- Maudlin, in-your-face moralizing. Blatant allegory. nt - tinear 18:13:34 05/02/09 (0)
  d
It's worth a look, mostly for Gig Young. - eppis1 16:38:37 04/29/09 (2)
He gives a great performance, one that would pigeon-hole him for the rest of his career. I thought Michael Sarrazin was wrong for the part-too bland. And he was meant to be the heart of the movie. I would have preferred a stronger actor for the role. Fonda just walked all over him. I thought the Oscar winning performance of Red Buttons was vastly overrated-too hammy. Remember it was a Pollack film. He did good work, usually, with big stars. But he was a kind of schmaltzy director. I don't think he was right for it. Too dark a subject matter for his style. It should have been a better movie. A lot of good actors had fine supporting parts in this one. It was adapted from a really a great little novel, oftentimes compared to "Day of the Locust." Just didn't make it to film as well as it could have. I had the good fortune of visiting the sound stage to see the sets. It was my first visit to Warner Brothers as a youth. Met the producers and the production designer.
- Nah, dumb story. Dumb ending which was all wrong and was telegraphed in the opening sequence. - tinear 17:28:54 04/29/09 (1)
  Films like this gave Hollywood a bad name.
  Fonda was good, though.
  - Huh? Jane Fonda's acting in this scathing allegory.... - mpathus 18:52:42 04/29/09 (0)
    ...about capitalism run amok, is nonpareil for the time - and though it's true her charachter out moxies Sarrazin (simple idealistic pawn - like the rest us), I think his softness is perfect counterpoint for the picture's sake. (My guess would be that reversal of charachter stereotypes was intentional.)
    Alright, its ending is a downer, but isn't its point about the consequenses of mistaken expectations, values and choices when given over to the sheeple?
    It brings to mind "The Grapes of Wrath" (1940, with Jane's dad Henry Fonda) which might stand the test of time better, but for me "They Shoot Horses Don't They?" is one masterpiece in color with an equally timeless message/warning, and tight ensemble cast effort - they all deserved awards.
    I'm still looking for "TSHDT?" on an anamorphic DVD.
    
    Edits: 04/29/09 04/29/09 04/29/09
Or a Gig Young fan...(nt) - mkuller 16:23:33 04/29/09 (0)
(nt)

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