{"id":7026,"date":"2009-05-21T09:06:34","date_gmt":"2009-05-21T16:06:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=7026"},"modified":"2021-07-17T22:37:44","modified_gmt":"2021-07-18T05:37:44","slug":"they-shoot-horses-dont-they-1969","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=7026","title":{"rendered":"They Shoot Horses, Don&#8217;t They? (1969)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;I may not know a winner when I see one, but I sure know a loser.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Poster-195x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"195\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-63755\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Poster-195x300.png 195w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Poster-667x1024.png 667w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Poster-83x128.png 83w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Poster-176x270.png 176w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Poster.png 713w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 195px) 100vw, 195px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nDuring the Depression, a group of down-on-their-luck contestants &#8212; including Jane Fonda, Michael Sarrazin, Red Buttons, Susannah York, Bruce Dern, and Bonnie Bedelia &#8212; compete in a brutal dance marathon hosted by Gig Young.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bonnie Bedelia Films<\/li>\n<li>Bruce Dern Films<\/li>\n<li>Depression Era<\/li>\n<li>Flashback Films<\/li>\n<li>Gig Young Films<\/li>\n<li>Jane Fonda Films<\/li>\n<li>Living Nightmare<\/li>\n<li>Red Buttons Films<\/li>\n<li>Susannah York Films<\/li>\n<li>Sydney Pollack Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nAlthough Peary designates <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=6799\"><em>Pennies From Heaven<\/em> (1981)<\/a> &#8220;the grimmest of all movie musicals&#8221;, surely Sidney Pollack&#8217;s <em>They Shoot Horses, Don&#8217;t They?<\/em> tops that film&#8217;s melancholia factor to earn a designation as &#8220;the grimmest of all <em>Depression-era<\/em> films&#8221;. Indeed, this notoriously bleak adaptation of <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/They_Shoot_Horses,_Don%27t_They%3F_(novel)\">Horace McCoy&#8217;s 1935 novel<\/a> is, as noted by DVD Savant, a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s1382shoo.html\">&#8220;depressing but riveting&#8230; emotional meat grinder&#8221;<\/a>. We know very little about the host of characters populating the screen other than the following cursory information: Fonda is from Kansas, Bedelia is pregnant, Sarrazin is a drifter, aging Buttons is a former dance marathon winner, and York is desperate for a chance to make it big in Hollywood:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-York.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-York-1024x449.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"281\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-York-1024x449.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-York-300x132.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-York-128x56.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-York-768x337.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-York-1536x674.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-York-604x265.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-York.png 1807w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>What they all have in common, however, is a willingness to put their health and sanity on the line for three meals a day and the remote possibility of fringe benefits. Remarkably, we can&#8217;t help staying gruesomely fascinated by these characters&#8217; fates even as we know (either from gut intuition, or from previous viewings of the film) that little good will come to them. The metaphor of Dance Marathon-as-Life &#8212; both are nasty and brutish, and then you die (or lose) &#8212; is apparent, but is so effectively framed as a bleakly vibrant history lesson that it&#8217;s easy to forget we&#8217;re watching anything other than a unique human drama playing out in front of our eyes. <em>They Shoot Horses&#8230;<\/em> isn&#8217;t for the faint of heart, and won&#8217;t likely be a repeat favorite &#8212; but it&#8217;s certainly must-see viewing at least once for all film fanatics. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Gig Young&#8217;s Oscar-winning performance as Rocky<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Young.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Young-1024x454.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"284\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63758\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Young-1024x454.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Young-300x133.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Young-128x57.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Young-768x341.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Young-1536x682.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Young-604x268.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Young.png 1787w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Jane Fonda as Gloria (nominated by Peary for an <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-static\/AlternateOscars.html\">Alternate Oscar<\/a> as Best Actress of the Year<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Fonda.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Fonda-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63759\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Fonda-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Fonda-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Fonda-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Fonda-768x327.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Fonda-1536x655.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Fonda-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Fonda.png 1827w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Red Buttons as Sailor<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Buttons.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Buttons-1024x439.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"274\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63756\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Buttons-1024x439.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Buttons-300x129.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Buttons-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Buttons-768x329.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Buttons-1536x658.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Buttons-604x259.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Buttons.png 1818w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine cinematography and period detail<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Cinematography3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Cinematography3-1024x436.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63761\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Cinematography3-1024x436.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Cinematography3-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Cinematography3-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Cinematography3-768x327.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Cinematography3-1536x654.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Cinematography3-604x257.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Cinematography3.png 1829w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>Fredric Steinkamp&#8217;s relentless editing<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Race.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Race-1024x441.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"276\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63757\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Race-1024x441.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Race-300x129.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Race-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Race-768x331.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Race-1536x661.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Race-604x260.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/They-Shoot-Horses-Race.png 1833w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, for its historical significance and undeniable impact. Nominated as one of the Best Pictures of the Year in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-static\/AlternateOscars.html\">Peary&#8217;s <em>Alternate Oscars<\/em> book<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Historically Relevant<\/li>\n<li>Noteworthy Performance(s)<\/li>\n<li>Oscar Winner or Nominee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0065088\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1969\/12\/11\/archives\/pollacks-they-shoot-horses-opens-at-the-fine-artstheme-based-on.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s1382shoo.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/22801\/they-shoot-horses-dont-they#articles-reviews?articleId=151877\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeout.com\/movies\/they-shoot-horses-dont-they\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;I may not know a winner when I see one, but I sure know a loser.&#8221; Synopsis: During the Depression, a group of down-on-their-luck contestants &#8212; including Jane Fonda, Michael Sarrazin, Red Buttons, Susannah York, Bruce Dern, and Bonnie Bedelia &#8212; compete in a brutal dance marathon hosted by Gig Young. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Bonnie Bedelia Films Bruce Dern Films Depression Era Flashback Films Gig Young Films Jane Fonda Films Living Nightmare Red Buttons Films Susannah York Films&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=7026\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7026","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7026","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7026"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7026\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74069,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7026\/revisions\/74069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7026"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7026"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7026"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}