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They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)

M  |   |  Drama  |  13 August 1970 (Argentina)
7.9
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Ratings: 7.9/10 from 11,579 users  
Reviews: 97 user | 41 critic

The lives of a disparate group of contestants intertwine in an inhumanely grueling dance marathon.

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(novel), (screenplay), 1 more credit »
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Title: They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)

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Won 1 Oscar. Another 9 wins & 23 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Robert Fields ...
Severn Darden ...
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Shirl
Madge Kennedy ...
Jacquelyn Hyde ...
Felice Orlandi ...
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Storyline

Gloria is a young woman of the Depression. She has aged beyond her years and feels her life is hopeless, having been cheated and betrayed many times in her past. While recovering from a suicide attempt, she gets the idea from a movie magazine to head for Hollywood to make it as an actress. Robert is a desperate Hollywood citizen trying to become a director, never doubting that he'll make it. Robert and Gloria meet and decide to enter a dance marathon, one of the crazes of the thirties. The grueling dancing takes its toll on Gloria's already weakened spirit, and she tells Robert that she'd be better off dead, that her life is hopeless - all the while acting cruelly and bitterly, alienating those around her, trying to convince him to shoot her and put her out of her misery. After all, they shoot horses, don't they? Written by alfiehitchie

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

People are the ultimate spectacle

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

M | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

13 August 1970 (Argentina)  »

Also Known As:

El baile interminable  »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

(original) | (current)

Sound Mix:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Barbara Parkins was offered, but turned down, a role in this film. See more »

Goofs

When they're 'jogging' around the dance floor, Gloria's shirt is soaked with sweat. The next shot it has only one sweat spot, and in the next it's all drenched again. See more »

Quotes

Rocky: That's what were all interested in, isn't it? The show?
Robert: No, it's a contest. Isn't that what it's supposed to be? Isn't that what you advertised? A contest?
Rocky: Not for them. For you maybe, but not for them. Do you think they're laying out two bits a throw just to watch you poke your head up into the sunlight or Alice look like she just stepped out of a beauty parlor? They don't give a damn whether you win or James and Ruby or Mario and Jackie or the Man in the Moon and Little Miss Muffet. They just...
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Soundtracks

Caisson Song (The Caissons Go Rolling Along)
(1907) (uncredited)
Music by Edmund L. Gruber
Played at the Dance Marathon
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Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

 
Dance Marathon Macabre
19 December 2002 | by See all my reviews

Viewing "They Shoot Horses, Don't They" is like rubbernecking a horrific traffic accident, or watching a train wreck. The images, no matter how painful, are too disturbing to turn away. This movie documents the depression era pathos by showing us a glimse of a group of dance-marathon contestants battling it out for a winner-take-all purse. Their lives become symbolic of their efforts in the marathon: inexorable pain, constant cramping, and a constant questioning of just "why live in all this misery?" Eventually, the lead performances, especially those of Susanna York and Jane Fonda, show at once characters strong-willed but overcome by simple animal survival. The rest of the stellar cast captures this bleakness as well (watch a young Bonnie Bedelia sing for thrown pennies!!!). Eventually the movie painfully climaxes to let one realize the issues raised by the movie title. The film is stunning in capturing the simple struggle of humanity; it's a must-see, but only once!!!


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