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They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
10 September 1970 (West Germany) moreTagline:
People are the ultimate spectaclePlot:
The lives of a disparate group of contestants intertwine in an inhumanely grueling dance marathon. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Won Oscar. Another 6 wins & 20 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Sydney Pollack Dies at 73 (From IMDb News. 27 May 2008, 4:12 AM, PDT)
Red Buttons Dead at 87
(From WENN. 14 July 2006)
User Comments:
Dance Marathon Macabre moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Jane Fonda | ... | Gloria | |
| Michael Sarrazin | ... | Robert | |
| Susannah York | ... | Alice | |
| Gig Young | ... | Rocky | |
| Red Buttons | ... | Sailor | |
| Bonnie Bedelia | ... | Ruby | |
| Michael Conrad | ... | Rollo | |
| Bruce Dern | ... | James | |
| Al Lewis | ... | Turkey | |
| Robert Fields | ... | Joel | |
| Severn Darden | ... | Cecil | |
| Allyn Ann McLerie | ... | Shirl | |
| Madge Kennedy | ... | Mrs. Laydon | |
| Jacquelyn Hyde | ... | Jackie | |
| Felice Orlandi | ... | Mario |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
129 min (original version) | USA:120 min (current version)Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreSound Mix:
4-Track StereoCertification:
Iceland:12 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | UK:15 | USA:M (original rating) | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PGFilming Locations:
Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, California, USAFun Stuff
Trivia:
Sydney Pollack shot some of the frightening derby sequences himself, donning a pair of roller skates to get right in the action with the frantically heel/toe-ing actors. moreGoofs:
Anachronisms: The Edward Heyman/Johnny Green song "Easy Come Easy Go", which is used as the film's title theme and is performed by a singer at the fictional dance marathon, was not published until 1934 (two years after the film's 1932 setting). moreQuotes:
Rocky: Here they are again, folks! These wonderful, wonderful kids! Still struggling! Still hoping! As the clock of fate ticks away, the dance of destiny continues! The marathon goes on, and on, and on! HOW LONG CAN THEY LAST! moreSoundtrack:
Paradise moreFAQ
Location of shootmore
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Viewing "They Shoot Horses, Don't They" is like rubbernecking a horrific traffic accident, or watching a train wreck. The images, no matter how painful, are too disturbing to turn away. This movie documents the depression era pathos by showing us a glimse of a group of dance-marathon contestants battling it out for a winner-take-all purse. Their lives become symbolic of their efforts in the marathon: inexorable pain, constant cramping, and a constant questioning of just "why live in all this misery?" Eventually, the lead performances, especially those of Susanna York and Jane Fonda, show at once characters strong-willed but overcome by simple animal survival. The rest of the stellar cast captures this bleakness as well (watch a young Bonnie Bedelia sing for thrown pennies!!!). Eventually the movie painfully climaxes to let one realize the issues raised by the movie title. The film is stunning in capturing the simple struggle of humanity; it's a must-see, but only once!!!