IMDb RATING
7.2/10
1.9K
YOUR RATING
The true story of a New Zealand racehorse that became a champion, with the help of a local stable-boy.The true story of a New Zealand racehorse that became a champion, with the help of a local stable-boy.The true story of a New Zealand racehorse that became a champion, with the help of a local stable-boy.
- Awards
- 4 wins & 5 nominations
Gia Carides
- Emma
- (as Georgia Carr)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBilly Eliot, Phar Lap's jockey at Agua Caliente had been devastated by Phar Lap's mysterious death, gave his saddle to George Woolf as a gesture of friendship. Woolf went on to become one of America's greatest riders, using the saddle on his favourite mount, Seabiscuit (2003), who, like Phar Lap, captivated a nation in the midst of the depression. The saddle was Woolf's lucky charm. From that date on until the time of his death he used it. Coincidentally, the only time he did not use it, from the time when Elliot gifted it to Woolf, was in his last race which he, unfortunately, was killed in.
- GoofsEarly in the film, in early 1928, Phar Lap's trainer Harry Telford (Martin Vaughan) insists that the horse's name must contain seven letters, because the names of the last four Melbourne Cup winners had contained seven letters. In fact, only one of the previous four Melbourne Cup winners in the period in question, 1924-27, had seven letters in its name - Windbag, in 1925. The other winners in that period were Backwood (1924), Spearfelt (1926) and Trivalve (1927). Nor did the subsequent 1928 winner, Statesman, nor the 1929 winner, Nightmarch (to whom Phar Lap ran third), have seven letters in their names.
- Quotes
Sub Editor: We have two versions ready to go. If he wins, "Australian wonder horse beats the world."
news writer: And if he loses?
Sub Editor: "New Zealand horse fails in Mexico."
- Alternate versionsThe original release opens with Phar Lap's death, with the rest of the film told in flashback. For its American release where the story of Phar Lap is less known, the opening was removed, making Phar Lap's unexpected death more dramatic.
- ConnectionsFeatured in 20 to 1: Greatest Sports Movies of All Time (2010)
Featured review
so far.....best horse movie made....
I saw this movie, before I ever heard of this racehorse. The story was beautifully done, with only a hint of overdramatization. The story of the horse and it's career alone provided enough fodder for a great story. As a legend in Australia, Phar Lap transferred to film was done expertly and accurately. I especially enjoyed the performance of Tommy Woodcock's character, as well as The Ron Liebman performance.
helpful•82
- johnmichaelm
- Jul 23, 2002
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- A Horse Called Phar Lap
- Filming locations
- St James Street, Geelong West, Victoria, Australia(scenes where someone tries to shoot Phar Lap in the street on his way back from track work)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $2,878,404
- Gross worldwide
- $2,878,404
- Runtime1 hour 47 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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