Running Free (1999)

Synopsis: "I shall never forget seeing those horses thundering across the desolate valley against a backdrop of huge red dunes, their long manes and tails streaming behind, a vision of ultimate freedom."... "I shall never forget seeing those horses thundering across the desolate valley against a backdrop of huge red dunes, their long manes and tails streaming behind, a vision of ultimate freedom." -author David Coulson

In the southern part of the African continent lies a country of wide horizons, clear, unpolluted skies and compelling beauty-Namibia, known by many as Africa's Gem. A land of contrasts, Namibia is home to the mighty Namib, the most ancient desert in the world, and-with its brooding landscape, towering sand dunes, ever varying colors and sense of infinite vastness-one of the most awe-inspiring. The desert lies at the edge of the rugged, inhospitable Skeleton Coast, one of the planet's most treacherous and barren shorelines. Scores of ships and mariners have met their end here, fostering the Coast's aura of mystery and impenetrability.

Despite the severe extremes of this harsh environment, herds of wild horses roam freely among the dunes of the mighty Namib. These horses are not indigenous to the area but have somehow managed to survive. Feeding voraciously during the all too rare rainy seasons, the animals build themselves up to survive the lean, mean years of drought. Very few people know about these animals, and few have ever seen or photographed them. In RUNNING FREE, acclaimed filmmaker Jean-Jacques Annaud, director Sergei Bodrov and screenwriter Jeanne Rosenberg have teamed to bring the compelling story of one of these courageous horses to life. This remarkable tale follows Lucky as he grows from an awkward colt into a magnificent stallion, triumphing against all odds at the edge of this vast expanse of raw, unforgiving nature.

In 1914, Lucky (voiced by Lukas Haas) is born aboard a tempest-tossed German supply steamer transporting his mother and other workhorses to a mining town in Africa. Torn from her side shortly after arrival and left to fend for himself in an alien environment, the vulnerable foal is adopted by Richard (Chase Moore), an orphaned stable boy. When the townspeople must flee due to encroaching war, Lucky is abandoned, bereft of his young companion and caretaker. With no alternative but to venture into the untamed desert, Lucky befriends other wildlife, as well as a young Bushman girl, who teach him how to survive. In the visually stunning dramatic adventure RUNNING FREE, Lucky journeys back to the now destroyed mining town where he first found friendship and compassion. Reunited with a young mare, Beauty, with whom he fell in love as a foal, he undertakes a heroic mission to defeat domineering stallion Caesar to become leader of the herd.

Columbia Pictures presents A Reparage Production RUNNING FREE, directed by Sergei Bodrov from a screenplay by Jeanne Rosenberg. The film is based on a story by Jean-Jacques Annaud and Jeanne Rosenberg. Annaud produces and Lloyd Phillips and Alisa Tager executive produce. The creative team is led by director of photography Dan Laustsen, production designer Wolf Kroeger, editor Ray Lovejoy and costume designer Jo Katsaras-Barklam. The music is by Nicola Piovani, who composed the music for Life Is Beautiful. The cast includes young Chase Moore, Jan Decleir, Arie Verveen and Maria Geelbooi. The narration is by Lukas Haas. [More]

Starring: Chase Moore, Jan Decleir, Arie Verveen, Maria Geelboi

Starring: Chase Moore, Jan Decleir, Arie Verveen, Maria Geelboi

Director: Sergei Bodrov

Director: Sergei Bodrov
Screenwriter: Jeanne Rosenberg
Story: Jean-Jacques Annaud, Jeanne Rosenberg
Producer: Jean-Jacques Annaud

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