THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON’T THEY? is probably not the easiest watch, given that the film takes place during the days of the Great Depression in the early part of the last century. That said, it garnered nine Oscar nominations at the 1970 Academy Awards and won one for Best Supporting Actor (Gig Young).
It features name actors (Jane Fonda, Michael Sarrazin, Bonnie Bedelia, Red Buttons and Bruce Dern amongst others) – and directed by one of the all time great directiing legends, Sydney Pollack (OUT OF AFRICA, THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR and TOOTSIE amongst others) .
Based on Horace McCoy‘s 1935 novel of the same name, it is the tale of a group of barely-optimistic individuals who take up residence in a down-and-dirty Santa Monica pier ballroom for a punishing and seemingly never-ending dance marathon in which they must find as much inner strength to endure the distance for a then lucrative $1500 prize and perhaps get a hand-out and hand up to the next level of living.
From time to time there are dance derbies which almost drive everybody into the ground as they run around the dancefloor to near heart attack status. At the heart of the story is Gloria (Fonda), Robert (Sarrazin), Alice (York), Harry and Ruby Bates (Dern and Bedelia in an early role)
Overseen by a determined and ruthless emcee, the contest soon becomes a wild ride and a battle of spirit over common sense as each of the participants begin to feel the pinch and pressure of a competition that becomes all the more desperate….
You are not going to emerge from THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON’T THEY? with an optimistic thought as the film is very downbeat on all fronts, but that is not to begrudge the efforts of a sterling cast and production team who bring so much to the film and make it all the more credible and convincing. Fonda shines in one of her numerous Oscar-nominated performances, but give credit to everyone else who features throughout the film, particularly York who encapsulates a woman all the more determined to retain her prestige.
Great cinematography by Philip Lathrop (THE DRIVER, THE CINCINATTI KID amongst others) provides great atmosphere.