“They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” This movie effected me greatly, I felt it was social commentary, and metaphor excercized in a masterful yet disturbing way. Has anyone else seen this movie? I would appreciate any thoughts you would care to share with me.
I’ve seen it. Some time ago, but I’ll never forget it. It made me appreciate Jane Fonda, who was awesome in her role of determined-to-win, but, hopeless girl. I loved Gig Young as the horrible ‘dance-master’. The scene with the pregnant lady, trying to keep up with her husband was painful to watch. As was the race against the clock.
A very dark film. Kinda like the ‘survivor’ shows, right?
I recommend it, none the less. Thanks for reminding me, askeptic
I saw it, late at night, when I was like 14. I was pretty disturbed, and remember being impressed. But I was, like, 14; can’t vouch from this side of the divide.
Utterly depressing. This movie (though I haven’t seen it in a while) so accurately depicted the despair these people felt. I thought it was great.
I have also seen it. I was impressed with it. I believe that Gig Young deserved the Best Supporting Actor Oscar he received for his portrayal.
I felt the only relatively weak actor in the movie was Michael Sarazen (sp) and he wasn’t that bad.
I question whether it is a metaphor, however, since it was pretty historically accurate at what went on at those things during the depression.
Saw it when it came out. Didn’t catch a lot of metaphor. It seemed a rather historical period piece. Get ready, that time is coming again.
While i recognized the period piece aspect, I guess I felt that in and of itself it was not an interesting enough episode in our history to devote such an outstanding amount of talent and time to portray. That is why I felt it was a somewhat existentialist metaphor for our modern society. We are just danceing as best we can to the music that we do not choose and that never ends. I relize that dance marathons occured, I can’t believe (and I may certainly be wrong here, I was not born when they took place) that people endured such suffering. That is why I felt it was metaphorical. I really hate to think it was just a simple period piece, that would just ruin it for me. Such talent effort and money wasted on portraying a dance contest.
It’s simply one of Fonda’s finest performances, right up there with Klute and Julia. And how intentionally ironic that the film came out at the peak of the nostalgia craze of the 70’s!!