Review of They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969) by Mjs M — 06 Jan 2010
For the last heretofore unseen film I?ve watched in 2009, I chose this New Hollywood tinged film about an endurance dance-contest in depression era Chicago. The whole contest quickly turns into a sadistic and dehumanizing hell being looked upon like the Romans would have looked upon gladiatorial death matches.
The basic concept is a pretty original one. The whole thing conveys the desperation in the air and the set-up is a pretty interesting way to depict human suffering. The film also has some really good acting from Jane Fonda and Gil Young and the film is a great directorial debut by Sydney Pollack.
That said, I think the movie works better as a concept than on an individual character level. I?m still really glad I saw though because I?d been hearing my uncle talk at length about this being the last film he saw (on a double bill with Patton) before going off to Vietnam, he remembers being baffled by the ending.
This review of They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969) was written by Mjs M on 06 Jan 2010.
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
