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Equus
1977
Sidney Lumet directed this film version of Peter Shaffer's dramatic play, transforming theatrical symbolism into cinematic realism. Richard Burton received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his performance as Martin Dysert, a psychiatrist determined to unravel the disturbed mind of Alan Strang (Peter Firth), a .. Read more
| Starring | Richard Burton, Peter Firth, Colin Blakely, Joan Plowright |
|---|---|
| Director | Sidney Lumet |
| Genres | Drama |
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Equus
Sidney Lumet directed this film version of Peter Shaffer's dramatic play, transforming theatrical symbolism into cinematic realism. Richard Burton received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his performance as Martin Dysert, a psychiatrist determined to unravel the disturbed mind of Alan Strang (Peter Firth), a young stableboy. In a fit of rage, Strang has blinded a stable of six horses. The court then assigns Dysert to probe the young man's mind in order to understand why he committed such a violent act. But the doctor, who is battling demons of his own, wonders if he can save the boy--and whether saving him at all is the right thing to do. Joan Plowright stands out as Dora Strang, the young boy's mother.
| Starring | Richard Burton, Peter Firth, Colin Blakely, Joan Plowright, Harry Andrews, Eileen Atkins, Jenny Agutter, Kate Reid |
|---|---|
| Director | Sidney Lumet |
| Studio | MGM ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 15 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 04 Aug 2003 Production year: 1977 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (4)
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Peter Shaffer's powerful play — about a boy whose repressed emotions lead him to blind six horses — was so acclaimed that it was inevitable it would become a film. However, this is very much a theatrical piece, and the set pieces that work so well on stage lose much of their impact on screen. For example, the long speeches delivered by psychiatrist Richard Burton hold theatre audiences spellbound, but here seem as flatly staged as a party political broadcast. Peter Firth is clearly in awe of Burton, and director Sidney Lumet has too much respect for the text.
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Overlong film version of a play which was a succès d'estime; it makes the fatal mistake of showing the tragic events realistically instead of stylistically as was done on the stage, and as a study in abnormal psychology it is scarcely gripping or r
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Most helpful member's review
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Heavy, but absorbing
Sidney Lumet turns in a fine and literate adaption of Peter Shaffer's play (screenplay by the author) concerning a young boy obsessed with horses and the madness it drives him too.
The film is heavy going, but Burton looks and sounds magnificant, making the most of several long speeches, and Peter Firth and Harry Andrews are excellent in support. There's also the not unwelcome addition of Jenny Agutter in her 'one film clothes on, one film clothes off' period. (This is an off, and that's not unwelcome either)
Not for everyone, with some very unpleasant imagery, but a very worthy use of time. -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Jenny Agutter? Naked? Surely not?
I came across this by chance, looking through Richard Burton features and I think I’m glad I did.
The film is now rather dated as are most 70s films evidenced by the film-quality and fashion but the themes explored are timeless.
We learn early on that the boy at the centre of the story (an excellent Peter Firth) has committed a quite horrible crime and spend the rest of the film, with Burton as the psychiatrist finding out why he did it.
This is essentially a story of a schizophrenic boy, misunderstood by his parents, dealing in his head with his love of horses which is confused with sexual awakening, repression and religious fervour - turning his love of the beast into something more frightening and terrible culminating in the crime, the enactment of which I found disturbing even in this day and age.
The film is based on a stage play and some of the dialogue is rather theatrical, especially Burton’s soliloquies but this is the psychiatrist’s way of unburdening himself. Listening to the boy and feeling his pain leads Burton to look at his own life where he finds himself wanting.
Oh yes and Jenny gets naked, but then is there is film in the 70s in which she is not?
Not a classic by any means but still thought provoking and disturbing. Probably a film you’ll remember a long time after you’ve seen it. -
News and features
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Radcliffe scoops Broadway honours for Equus outing
- 14 Jul 2009
Actor Daniel Radcliffe has added to his growing collection of awards after picking up two accolades for his stint in the New York production of Equus. The young actor stripped off for theatre-goers in the Big Apple last year (08) when the Peter Shaffer play transferred from London's West End to Broadway. Radcliffe was a big hit with critics on both sides of the Atlantic, and he was made a double honouree at Saturday's (11Jul09) 2009 Broadway.com Audience Awards at The Waldorf Astoria hotel in... Read more
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