Phar Lap (1983)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Simon Wincer

Writer:

David Williamson (written by)

Release Date:

10 August 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Family | History | Sport

Tagline:

When he beat the odds, they changed the rules. When he broke the records, they weighed him down. But he had one thing on his side...the faith of a boy. Together they lived a legend that inspired a nation and won the heart of the world.

Plot:

The true story of a Australian racehorse that becomes a champion with the help of a local stableboy.

Plot Keywords:

Horse | Stableboy | Gambling | Winner | Animal

Awards:

4 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Tom Burlinson	...	Tommy Woodcock
Richard Morgan	...	'Cashy' Martin
Robert Grubb	...	William Nielsen
Simon Wells	...	Newsboy
Kelvyn Worth	...	Newsboy
Justin Ridley	...	Newsboy
Martin Vaughan	...	Harry Telford
Brian Granrott	...	Reporter
Celia De Burgh	...	Vi Telford
Steven Bannister	...	Cappy Telford (Younger)
Richard Terrill	...	Cappy Telford (Older)
Ron Leibman	...	Dave Davis
Ross O'Donovan	...	Strapper
Ashley Grenville	...	Strapper
Les Foxcroft	...	Brazier Man

Also Known As:

Phar Lap: Heart of a Nation

Runtime:

USA:107 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG (TV rating) | USA:PG (certificate #27386) | Finland:S | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Kurnell Sandhills, Kurnell, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Michael Edgley International

Trivia:

Tommy Woodcock went on to become a horse trainer. One of his greatest success was Reckless, a horse which won the Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane Cups and finished second in the Melbourne Cup in 1977. Tommy was respected for his training methods and his great love for horses. Tommy and his wife, Emma, had no children but their home was always open to the apprentices that Tommy trained. Tommy Woodcock trained horses until he was 78. He donated several of his personal mementoes of Phar Lap to the Museum of Victoria to go with the Museum's exhibit of Phar Lap's hide.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Pyjama Girl Mystery: A True Story of Murder, Obsession and Lies (2006) (V)

Soundtrack:

Phar Lap - Farewell to You

Another Amazing Racehorse

A good horse racing story - especially if it's based on real life - usually gets my attention and this is no exception. Phar Lap was a famous Australian race horse. This was another Seabiscuit-type horse who overcame big odds to achieve greatness. He just never got much press outside of Australia, I guess.

Rob Leibman, as the generally unlikable guy in the film (who does have a few good moments, to be fair) is the most interesting actor in here. However, the star of the movie, outside of the horse, is Tom Burlinson, the best friend Phar Lap ever had and the only likable male in the film.

The story never lagged and was beautifully shot. I am still waiting for a DVD of this and hopefully it will be made. It deserves having one and I was hoping it would ride the coattails of the Seabiscuit publicity tail, but apparently not.

In summary, a nice story of a horse who triumphs despite a greedy trainer and owner who overwork the animal....at least according to the movie. Yeah, I realize there is a good chance much of this was exaggerated. The film industry tends to fictionalize these "true" stories. Whatever the case, this is a great story.