Review of They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969) by Morgan R — 15 Nov 2010

Set in 1932, hundreds of desperate people sign up for a dance marathon for the prize of 1,500 silver dollars which even today is worth a lot of money. This movie shows the depravity of man and the challenging, humiliating, and exhausting lengths to which people will go for money.

The message was presented well... I heard it loud and clear... but the road to get there was long, tiring, and depressing.

Jane Fonda plays Gloria, a hostile, rude, and pessimistic feminist. You can't help feeling sorry for her but at the same time, you want to punch her in the face. Her dance parter Robert (played by Sarrazin) plays the perfect patsy.

I still give it one star because it bored me to death. The acting was great (especially by Red Buttons) but the film was just awfully depressing.

I don't understand why so many people rave about how this is one of the greatest American films ever.