IMDb > Equus (1977)
Equus
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Videos (see all 2 NEW)
Equus (1977) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
Equus (1977) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   2,460 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Sidney Lumet
Writers:
Peter Shaffer (play)
Peter Shaffer (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Equus on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
October 1977 (UK) more
Genre:
Drama | Horror | Mystery more
Tagline:
"I am yours and you are mine"
Plot:
A psychiatrist, Martin Dysart, investigates the savage blinding of six horses with a metal spike in a stable in Hampshire... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations more
User Comments:
Unique, impressive, dark, intelligent. more (42 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Richard Burton ... Martin Dysart
Peter Firth ... Alan Strang
Colin Blakely ... Frank Strang
Joan Plowright ... Dora Strang
Harry Andrews ... Harry Dalton
Eileen Atkins ... Hesther Saloman

Jenny Agutter ... Jill Mason
Kate Reid ... Margaret Dysart
John Wyman ... Horseman
Elva Mai Hoover ... Miss Raintree
Ken James ... Mr. Pearce
Patrick Brymer ... Hospital Patient
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Additional Details

Runtime:
137 min
Country:
USA | UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Finland:K-16 (cut) (1978) | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Ireland:18 | Finland:K-15 (new rating: 2001) (cut) | Australia:R | Canada:18A | France:-12 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 (video rating) (1987) | UK:AA (original rating) | USA:R (certificate #24890) | Spain:18
Filming Locations:
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The film was considered groundbreaking at the time for the amount of full frontal male nudity by Peter Firth. Firth was shown completely nude three times in the film, and the final scene in the stable is one of the longest scenes of full frontal male nudity in any mainstream film. However, Firth's penis was not allowed to be shown erect at any time. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Dr. Dysart is holding the "truth drug", he has his hand alternately open and closed around it. more
Quotes:
Alan Strang: Here I am. Find me. Find me. Kill me. Kill me. Find me, and kill me. Kill me. Find me, and kill me. Find me, and kill me. Find me, and kill meeeeeeee.
[trails off]
more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
30 out of 35 people found the following comment useful.
Unique, impressive, dark, intelligent., 18 January 2005
10/10
Author: Nikolaus Maack from Ottawa, On

I loved this movie so much, I found a copy of the play online, bought it, and read it with glee. It's a beautiful, complicated film -- definitely a must see. What I especially liked was the way the movie handled religion and insanity. Is curing someone of their mental illness taking away their religion? Is psychiatry a "cult of the normal"?

Richard Burton delivers hypnotic sermons, staring straight into the camera, as we slowly zoom in on his face. He confesses that he's jealous of his patient. The boy is in pain, but passion is pain. The boy is worshiping a pagan god -- something Burton wishes he could do as well. Instead, he settles for flipping through books, looking at photographs of old artifacts. The therapist wonders if he's taking the boy's god away by curing him.

If you like Carl Jung, you'll love this film! Equus, archetypal God, we love you!

Some complain that the psychology in this film is "campy" at best. Others say the film can't possibly compare to the stage play. Well, fine. Maybe it shouldn't be used as a model for treating patients, and maybe plays are different than movies. But the film as a piece of art, on its own, is powerful, moving, and fascinating.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (42 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Equus (1977)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
So what exactly is this movie about? (Spoilers) rhirhodes
Plot Keywords 'homosexuality' + 'gay interest'... zonzan1
DVD shorter than VHS?? inside_man
Zoo BrideOfTheAtom
Is Alan crazy? Sunflower64
terrific performances gk_891
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