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They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
10 September 1970 (West Germany)
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Tagline:
People are the ultimate spectacle
Plot:
The lives of a disparate group of contestants intertwine in an inhumanely grueling dance marathon. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Marathon
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Hollywood
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Dance Marathon
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Dance
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Contestant
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Awards:
Won Oscar.
Another 6 wins
&
20 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(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)
(From IMDb News. 27 May 2008, 4:12 AM, PDT)
Red Buttons Dead at 87
(From WENN. 14 July 2006)
User Comments:
Deeply unsettling and emotionally draining
more (73 total)
Cast
(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:
Runtime:
129 min (original version) | USA:120 min (current version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:12 |
Australia:M |
Finland:K-16 |
UK:15 |
USA:M (original rating) |
USA:PG-13 |
West Germany:12 |
Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Received the most competitive Academy Award nominations (9) without being nominated for Best Picture.
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Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: Shadow of camera and operator on Derby contestants.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "That Girl: They Shoot Pictures, Don't They? (#4.24)" (1970)
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Soundtrack:
The Japanese Sandman
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FAQ
Location of shootmore
more (73 total)
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During the Depression, many had nothing... and the few that did were almost equally as miserable. This movie displays a dance marathon, held for the entertainment of the latter, and the expense of the former. The contestants dance for daily meals and a place to sleep, and the weak hope of a prize, if they are the last couple standing. The rules are cruel, and whilst the many dancers fight to remain standing, the audience is served snacks and fast-food. The film shows how callous people can be, sometimes. The plot is magnificent, the story-telling excellent. Acting(Sarrazin can exude an extraordinary amount of emotion through his eyes), casting, editing(with extremely few slightly weak moments), pacing, direction, cinematography, lighting, music, production design, everything, it's all amazing. This is a very difficult film to watch(which is by no means to say that I regret doing so). It is not entertainment, nor is it something to escape one's everyday life with. It is brutal and uncompromising, a window into an era and an event, both of which show humanity at its worst. A masterpiece. I intend to look for other films by Pollack, there is no doubt about that... fortunately, my fiancée has told me that he has done lighter fare(I would prefer watching something less bleak than this for the next of his movies I view). This is a very important movie, particularly in today's world, where reality shows are all over TV. I recommend this to anyone certain that they can sit through it. 8/10