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Movie Guide: The Golden Years - 1969 – They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Ok.ru – 1969 – Dance, dance, damn you After the holidays, as they say around here, a new season begins, and with it, returning to 1969, we find ourselves, as always, with iconic films t…
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Movie Guide: The Golden Years - 1969 – They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
After the holidays, as they say around here, a new season begins, and with it, returning to 1969, we find ourselves, as always, with iconic films that have marked an era. And this time, continuing with this week’s film presentation and alternating genres, we find another iconic film from 1969, this time directed by the great Sydney Pollack: «They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? «A film as powerful as it is raw, transporting us to one of the darkest moments in American history: the Great Depression. This movie offers a tremendous portrayal of human desperation through a dance marathon, where the participants seek not only the prize money but, above all, survival.
Pollack uses this surrealistic setting to expose the misery, hopelessness, and exploitation that prevailed during the Great Depression, creating a metaphor as devastating as it is profound about how far people can be pushed by need. Every turn and dance step becomes a representation of the struggle for dignity in a society that watches and feeds off others’ misery.
The film was a success both critically and in awards circles, earning 9 Oscar nominations, including Best Director, though ironically it did not receive a Best Picture nomination—a curious detail that does not diminish its status as a universal classic.
They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? is, in short, a masterpiece that reflects the human condition in times of despair and invites us to question how far we are willing to go when there is nothing left to lose.
General Information: «They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?» (1969), directed by Sydney Pollack, is an American film produced by Palomar Pictures and set during the Great Depression. It offers a raw and devastating portrayal of human despair through an exhausting dance marathon where participants fight for money and food in a context of misery.
With a budget of $4.86 million and a box office gross of $12.6 million, the film achieved a 159.26% profit. Recognized as a classic of cinema, it has a rating of 7.3 on the prestigious Filmaffinity list. On this list, it is categorized as a drama addressing themes such as the 1930s, the Great Depression, and exploitation through dance.
The film was nominated for 9 Academy Awards, though ironically it was not a candidate for Best Picture, cementing its place as a powerful allegory of the struggle for survival and dignity in times of extreme adversity.
Address:
Sydney Pollac
The director of They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969), Sydney Pollack, was a prominent figure in American cinema, known for his ability to tell emotionally complex and deeply human stories.
Born on July 1, 1934, in Lafayette, Indiana, Pollack developed a career as a director, producer, and actor, making him one of the big names in Hollywood from the 1960s to the 1990s.
With They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? Pollack achieved one of his first major nominations at the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes in the Best Director category, showcasing his ability to bring to the screen stories of great dramatic and emotional intensity. This film was a turning point in his career, as it achieved an incisive look at the human condition in times of crisis, a recurring theme in his filmography.
Born on July 1, 1934, in Lafayette, Indiana, Pollack developed a career as a director, producer, and actor, making him one of the big names in Hollywood from the 1960s to the 1990s.
With They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? Pollack achieved one of his first major nominations at the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes in the Best Director category, showcasing his ability to bring to the screen stories of great dramatic and emotional intensity. This film was a turning point in his career, as it achieved an incisive look at the human condition in times of crisis, a recurring theme in his filmography.
Sydney Pollack with Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie
Pollack went on to direct other iconic films, such as Tootsie (1982), for which he was again nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe.
Sydney Pollack with Meryl Streep in Out of Africa
And, most notably, Out of Africa (1985), for which he finally won the Oscar for Best Director and also received a Golden Globe nomination.
His style was characterized by precise and sensitive direction, allowing actors to shine in stories that ranged from the personal to the universal. He was a filmmaker who skillfully handled both intimate dramas and grand epics, leaving a profound legacy in the history of cinema.
Main Actors:
Jane Fonda and Michael Sarrazin
The main actors in They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969) played a crucial role in creating the dramatic intensity of the film, especially Jane Fonda, who was nominated for both the Oscar and the Golden Globe for her portrayal of Gloria Beatty, a desperate woman participating in the dance marathon in an attempt to survive the Great Depression.
Jane Fonda, one of the most recognized and versatile actresses of her generation, (Barefoot in the Park (1967)), delivered a visceral and emotionally wrenching performance in this film.
Her role in the film was so decisive that it solidified her status as a highly talented actress, capable of portraying complex and dark characters. Her Oscar nomination for Best Actress for They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? marked one of the first major milestones in her career, which would later lead her to win two Oscars and Golden Globes for Klute (1971). She also received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for Julia (1977) and won both the Oscar and the Golden Globe for Coming Home (1978). Thus, she became one of the most respected actresses of the 1970s, undoubtedly deserving of a special recognition.
Alongside Fonda, Michael Sarrazin stood out in the role of Robert Syverton, a young man who joins the dance marathon without fully understanding what he’s getting into. Sarrazin brought a mix of innocence and cynicism that perfectly complemented Fonda’s performance.
Michael Sarrazin was a Canadian actor who gained recognition in the 1960s and 1970s, known for his melancholic look and his ability to portray sensitive and often tormented characters. Although his career never reached full stardom, Sarrazin left a significant mark on cinema with some memorable performances.
His most iconic role was undoubtedly that of Robert Syverton in They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969), where he portrayed a disillusioned young man trapped in a ruthless dance marathon during the Great Depression. This role put him on the map and showcased his ability to depict deeply human and vulnerable characters.
After his success in the 1960s and 1970s, Sarrazin never regained the same prominence in the industry, although he continued to work in both film and television. His physical appeal and sensitivity on screen made him popular at the time, but over time, his career declined.
Despite never achieving superstar status, Michael Sarrazin is remembered for his ability to portray vulnerable and tragic characters, with an introspective approach that set him apart from other actors of his time.
Supporting Actors:
Gig Young
Now, let’s talk about these supporting actors. Among them, Gig Young stands out. For his performance, he won the Oscar and the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Rocky, the manipulative and cynical master of ceremonies in the dance contest. His performance, full of charisma and contempt, embodies the exploitation and cruelty that dominates the atmosphere of the film.
Red Buttons
Accompanying him, we also have the great Red Buttons, nominated for a Golden Globe in the same category, famous for his work in «Sayonara«. His style and on-screen presence earned him recognition and nominations.
Michael Conrad
Michael Conrad, known primarily for his role in «Hill Street Blues«, has also left a significant mark in acting with his distinctive presence and style.
Susannah York
On the female side, we have Susannah York, nominated for the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress, shining in this They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? from 1969, for her performance in this film. She was highly praised, showing her ability for drama and emotional depth.
For all this, the cast, led by these actors, was essential to bring to life a story full of despair and humanity, making They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? a memorable and emotionally devastating film.
Author and Screenwriters:
For all this, the cast, led by these actors, was essential to bring to life a story full of despair and humanity, making They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? a memorable and emotionally devastating film.
Author and Screenwriters:
Horace McCoy
The origin of They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? lies in the eponymous novel by Horace McCoy, an American writer whose work captures the despair and alienation of society’s outcasts in the United States.
Published in 1935, during the harsh years of the Great Depression, the novel was a fierce critique of the system that exploited human despair for entertainment. McCoy, a writer deeply influenced by hard realism and pulp narrative style, worked for many years in Hollywood as a screenwriter, but it was with this literary work that he made his most lasting mark. His novel is a key piece of Depression-era literature, reflecting the physical and emotional exhaustion of the participants in dance marathons, a bitter metaphor for the struggle to survive in times of extreme adversity.
For the 1969 film adaptation, the ones responsible for turning this intense novel into a screenplay were James Poe and Robert E. Thompson, who managed to capture the somber spirit of the original work. For their efforts, they received an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Published in 1935, during the harsh years of the Great Depression, the novel was a fierce critique of the system that exploited human despair for entertainment. McCoy, a writer deeply influenced by hard realism and pulp narrative style, worked for many years in Hollywood as a screenwriter, but it was with this literary work that he made his most lasting mark. His novel is a key piece of Depression-era literature, reflecting the physical and emotional exhaustion of the participants in dance marathons, a bitter metaphor for the struggle to survive in times of extreme adversity.
For the 1969 film adaptation, the ones responsible for turning this intense novel into a screenplay were James Poe and Robert E. Thompson, who managed to capture the somber spirit of the original work. For their efforts, they received an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
James Poe
James Poe already had a distinguished career in Hollywood as a screenwriter. He was known for his ability to adapt complex stories, as he had previously demonstrated with his work on Around the World in 80 Days (1956), for which he won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Throughout his career, Poe showed a talent for adapting literary works into films in a way that was faithful, yet cinematically dynamic. His contribution to They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? was crucial in maintaining the dark and tragic tone of McCoy’s novel, ensuring that the film reflected the emotional despair of the characters.
Robert E. Thompson, co-writer, also contributed his narrative expertise and sensitivity to this adaptation. Although less known than Poe, Thompson had a strong sense of human drama and psychological tension, something evident in the script for They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? He worked on a series of film and television scripts throughout his career, focusing on stories with a dense social and emotional backdrop.
Both screenwriters succeeded in transforming the original story by Horace McCoy into a film script that not only stayed true to the essence of the novel but also captured the attention of critics and the Academy, earning one of the nine Oscar nominations the film received. The adaptation by Poe and Thompson stands out for its balance between the brutal realism of the story and the creation of deeply human characters, trapped in a cycle of despair from which they cannot escape.
Composer:
Throughout his career, Poe showed a talent for adapting literary works into films in a way that was faithful, yet cinematically dynamic. His contribution to They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? was crucial in maintaining the dark and tragic tone of McCoy’s novel, ensuring that the film reflected the emotional despair of the characters.
Robert E. Thompson, co-writer, also contributed his narrative expertise and sensitivity to this adaptation. Although less known than Poe, Thompson had a strong sense of human drama and psychological tension, something evident in the script for They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? He worked on a series of film and television scripts throughout his career, focusing on stories with a dense social and emotional backdrop.
Both screenwriters succeeded in transforming the original story by Horace McCoy into a film script that not only stayed true to the essence of the novel but also captured the attention of critics and the Academy, earning one of the nine Oscar nominations the film received. The adaptation by Poe and Thompson stands out for its balance between the brutal realism of the story and the creation of deeply human characters, trapped in a cycle of despair from which they cannot escape.
Composer:
John Green
The soundtrack for They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? was composed by John Green, a prominent American composer and musical director born in Indianapolis, Indiana. Green, known for his ability to create music that enhanced the emotions and nuances of the films he worked on, was a key figure in Hollywood’s industry for several decades. His work in the film was a perfect complement to the grim and heart-wrenching atmosphere of the plot.
For They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? Green was nominated for the Oscar for Best Score Orchestration, a recognition of his ability to convey through music the growing physical and emotional exhaustion of the characters amid an endless dance marathon. The music not only underscores the drama and despair of the protagonists but also contributes to the social criticism offered by the film, making the orchestral sound amplify the emptiness and exploitation the contestants suffer.
One of the keys to the success of this soundtrack was the collaboration of Albert Woodbury, who assisted with orchestration. Woodbury, an experienced orchestrator, brought his technical knowledge and sensitivity to translate Green’s compositions into an orchestral sound full of nuances. His ability to create textures and add depth to Green’s compositions was essential to the success of the musical ensemble.
The music for They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? is characterized by a mix of sounds that evoke despair, exhaustion, and the repetitive rhythm of an endless dance contest. Through his work, John Green managed to capture the emotional desolation of the characters and the relentless environment they find themselves in, creating a soundtrack that, though melancholic and restrained, is crucial in conveying the essence of the story.
Critical Reception:
The critical reception of They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969) was generally very positive, cementing its status as a film of great emotional and social impact. The movie, directed by Sydney Pollack, was praised not only for the intensity of its story but also for the exceptional performances of its cast and the director’s ability to capture the despair of the Great Depression through the claustrophobic lens of a dance marathon.
Jane Fonda received unanimous acclaim for her portrayal of Gloria Beatty, earning her Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. Critics highlighted her ability to project the emotional complexity of a character trapped between despair and determination. Similarly, Gig Young‘s performance as the cynical and manipulative master of ceremonies was also praised, winning him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
As for the direction, many critics praised Sydney Pollack for his ability to create an oppressive atmosphere that reflected the exploitation and suffering of the characters. Critics also praised the way Pollack used the dance marathon as a metaphor for the human struggle in times of crisis, giving the film a profound social dimension.
The soundtrack by John Green, which was nominated for an Oscar, was also well-received for its ability to accompany the plot with a melancholic and dramatic tone that reflected the physical and emotional fatigue of the characters. Critics appreciated how the music not only accompanied the narrative but also amplified the tension and sense of hopelessness.
Although They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? was a critical success, general audiences were initially surprised by its somber tone and bleak message. However, over time, the film has come to be regarded as a masterpiece of human despair and has established itself as a cult classic. The film received a total of nine Oscar nominations, making it the film with the most nominations without being nominated for Best Picture, a curious fact noted by critics, considering the magnitude of its impact.
In summary, critics embraced They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? as a bold, moving, and deeply relevant film, a bitter metaphor for human exploitation that continues to resonate decades after its release.
And now that we’ve dissected this «They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? «, what do you think if we enjoy this social satire-drama, knowing that below the cover, I will leave you the post published on Ok.ru? Meanwhile, below the trailer, I will also leave the link to the full movie in Spanish. Good, right? Let’s get to it.
Synopsis:
In the United States, during the devastating Great Depression, a dance marathon becomes the only hope for desperate people from all ages and walks of life. In exchange for their dignity and health, the participants compete tirelessly for the promise of winning a final prize of $1,500 in silver, an unattainable treasure in times of misery. As they are pushed to the limit of their physical and mental endurance, the contest turns into a cruel spectacle where a crowd, hungry for entertainment, enjoys the suffering of others. For many contestants, the marathon is their only chance to get food and a place to sleep, even if it means losing all hope of redemption in a ruthless world that slowly consumes them, both in body and spirit. (Filmaffinity)
For They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? Green was nominated for the Oscar for Best Score Orchestration, a recognition of his ability to convey through music the growing physical and emotional exhaustion of the characters amid an endless dance marathon. The music not only underscores the drama and despair of the protagonists but also contributes to the social criticism offered by the film, making the orchestral sound amplify the emptiness and exploitation the contestants suffer.
One of the keys to the success of this soundtrack was the collaboration of Albert Woodbury, who assisted with orchestration. Woodbury, an experienced orchestrator, brought his technical knowledge and sensitivity to translate Green’s compositions into an orchestral sound full of nuances. His ability to create textures and add depth to Green’s compositions was essential to the success of the musical ensemble.
The music for They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? is characterized by a mix of sounds that evoke despair, exhaustion, and the repetitive rhythm of an endless dance contest. Through his work, John Green managed to capture the emotional desolation of the characters and the relentless environment they find themselves in, creating a soundtrack that, though melancholic and restrained, is crucial in conveying the essence of the story.
Critical Reception:
The critical reception of They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969) was generally very positive, cementing its status as a film of great emotional and social impact. The movie, directed by Sydney Pollack, was praised not only for the intensity of its story but also for the exceptional performances of its cast and the director’s ability to capture the despair of the Great Depression through the claustrophobic lens of a dance marathon.
Jane Fonda received unanimous acclaim for her portrayal of Gloria Beatty, earning her Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. Critics highlighted her ability to project the emotional complexity of a character trapped between despair and determination. Similarly, Gig Young‘s performance as the cynical and manipulative master of ceremonies was also praised, winning him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
As for the direction, many critics praised Sydney Pollack for his ability to create an oppressive atmosphere that reflected the exploitation and suffering of the characters. Critics also praised the way Pollack used the dance marathon as a metaphor for the human struggle in times of crisis, giving the film a profound social dimension.
The soundtrack by John Green, which was nominated for an Oscar, was also well-received for its ability to accompany the plot with a melancholic and dramatic tone that reflected the physical and emotional fatigue of the characters. Critics appreciated how the music not only accompanied the narrative but also amplified the tension and sense of hopelessness.
Although They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? was a critical success, general audiences were initially surprised by its somber tone and bleak message. However, over time, the film has come to be regarded as a masterpiece of human despair and has established itself as a cult classic. The film received a total of nine Oscar nominations, making it the film with the most nominations without being nominated for Best Picture, a curious fact noted by critics, considering the magnitude of its impact.
In summary, critics embraced They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? as a bold, moving, and deeply relevant film, a bitter metaphor for human exploitation that continues to resonate decades after its release.
And now that we’ve dissected this «They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? «, what do you think if we enjoy this social satire-drama, knowing that below the cover, I will leave you the post published on Ok.ru? Meanwhile, below the trailer, I will also leave the link to the full movie in Spanish. Good, right? Let’s get to it.
Synopsis:
In the United States, during the devastating Great Depression, a dance marathon becomes the only hope for desperate people from all ages and walks of life. In exchange for their dignity and health, the participants compete tirelessly for the promise of winning a final prize of $1,500 in silver, an unattainable treasure in times of misery. As they are pushed to the limit of their physical and mental endurance, the contest turns into a cruel spectacle where a crowd, hungry for entertainment, enjoys the suffering of others. For many contestants, the marathon is their only chance to get food and a place to sleep, even if it means losing all hope of redemption in a ruthless world that slowly consumes them, both in body and spirit. (Filmaffinity)
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