Ruffian (TV 2007)

A look at the life of the thoroughbred filly that dominated horse racing in the early 1970s.

Director:

Yves Simoneau

Writers:

Jim Burnstein, Garrett K. Schiff

Stars:

Sam Shepard, Mark Adam, Lisa Arnold

2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Sam Shepard	...	Frank Whiteley
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mark Adam	...	Mike Bell
Lisa Arnold	...	Female Sports Reporter #2
Laura Bailey	...	Cassie
Barry Barton	...	News Reporter
Christine Belford	...	Barbara Janney
Tony Bentley	...	The Lout
John T. Billingsley	...	News Camera Man
Dodie Brown	...	Match Race Fan
Craig Clary	...	Race Fan
Dave Cohen	...	NYC TV Reporter
Mellinda Craig	...	High Class Racetrack Patron
Kip Cummings	...	Reporter / Race Fan
John F. Daniel	...	Saratoga Race Fan
John S. Davies	...	CBS Exec.

Storyline

A look at the life of the thoroughbred filly that dominated horse racing in the early 1970s.

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Plot Keywords:

horse | horse racing | jockey | animal in title | one word title | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 June 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ruffian - Die Wunderstute

Filming Locations:

Louisiana Downs - 8000 East Texas Street, Bossier City, Louisiana, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

ESPN Original Entertainment, Orly Adelson Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Because Ruffian was such a large filly, larger even than many colts (including Foolish Pleasure), they used geldings to portray her in the film.

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Goofs

In certain camera angles, it can be seen that the horses playing Ruffian are actually male ( geldings) and not fillies.

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Connections

Featured in 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2008)

User Reviews

ThreeThumbs up.----From a Hard boot!

I'm a full time trainer, horseman on the Mid-Atlantic circuit, in my off time I see five movies a week. Rarely am I treated to as an enthralling story about my first love as this.

From the timing, and character development there's an honesty about Ruffian, her handlers and their story. The horses used were beautiful, the racing scenes surprisingly realistic, and the camera shots were magnificent. This one ranks slightly below my all time favorite Caseys Shadow and above Seabiscuit, with solid high paced interest toward the eventual tears. Quite a feat for TV. The strength of the movie was the writing, the directing and cast all displaying superior theatrics. Given the budget restraints for a TV movie, I accepted the difference in the substitution of era vans for trailers, and other difficult to substitute prop switches. There were many more strengths in the production than weaknesses.

The ending is done well, with dignity, gently lifting the viewer into a better place,for all that had happened.I especially like the post log and what happened to the characters later in life. All in all, a wonderful two hours of entertainment.