Ruffian

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Tomatometer
Not Yet Available

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: N/A

96%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 482

Super Reviewer

Rate this movie

Oof, that was Rotten.

Meh, it passed the time.

It’s good – I’d recommend it.

Awesome!

So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

What did you think of the movie? (optional)
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
Super Reviewer
Step 2 of 2

How did you get your ticket?
By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
Super Reviewer

Rate this movie

Oof, that was Rotten.

Meh, it passed the time.

It’s good – I’d recommend it.

Awesome!

So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

What did you think of the movie? (optional)
How did you get your ticket?
- Fandango
- AMC (Coming Soon)
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Cinemark (Coming Soon)
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Regal (Coming Soon)
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Bought somewhere else
By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.
You haven’t finished your review yet, want to submit as-is?

You can always edit your review after.
Are you sure?

Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers.
Want to submit changes to your review before closing?

Movie Info

Prolific French filmmaker Yves Simoneau directs Sam Shepard and Frank Whaley in a sports drama detailing the remarkable racing career of the horse many believe to be the finest thoroughbred filly ever to run the tracks. In her first ten runs Ruffian was unbeaten, and continued to break longstanding records with every stride. But some careers are like shooting stars, and in just her second season racing Ruffian suffered a career-ending injury. On July 6, 1975, race fans gathered at the Belmont and in front of their televisions eager to witness the prized racehorse's eleventh official race. Billed as the "Battle of the Sexes," this landmark run pitted Ruffian against Kentucky Derby top colt Foolish Paradise. As the race got underway Ruffian was running at her best, but disaster would strike just short of the one-mile marker. It was there that Ruffian would take a brutal tumble that would effectively end both her racing career, and her life. Yet despite her tragic end, Ruffian's inspirational story lives on in this drama that shows why she was the only horse ever to be buried at the Belmont.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Drama, Television
Directed By:

Yves Simoneau
Written By:

Garrett K. Schiff, G. Ross Parker
In Theaters:

Jun 9, 2007 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Jun 12, 2007
Runtime:

89 minutes
Studio:

ESPN Productions

Cast

Sam Shepard
as Frank Whitely

Frank Whaley
as Bill Nack

Mat Greer
as Dan Williams

Mark Adam
as Mike Bell

Tyrone Shaw
as Squeaky

Nicholas Pryor
as Stuart Janney

Christine Belford
as Barbara Janney

Keith Flippen
as Dinny Phipps

Franco Torres
as Braulio Baeza

Michael Harding
as Leroy Jolly

John McConnell
as Tony Pappas

Jon Stafford
as Dr. Pendergrast

Stuart Greer
as Dan Lasater

David Dwyer
as Dick Sandler

Dennis O'Neill
as Bar owner

Marion Guyot
as Barbara's friend

John S. Davies
as CBS executive

View All

Critic Reviews for Ruffian

All Critics (1) | Fresh (1)

While there are some missteps in the equine casting (several different horses were used, and it's obvious), the look and feel of the movie is top-notch.

June 13, 2007 | Full Review…

Staci Layne Wilson
StaciWilson.com