They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

1969

They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

83%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 29

89%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 5,552
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Movie Info

A total of nine Academy Award nominations went to this wildly acclaimed, allegorical drama set amongst the contestants in a marathon dance contest during the Great Depression. Gig Young stars as Rocky, the obnoxious emcee for a dance marathon that offers prize money of $1,500, a small fortune during hard economic times that brings out the worst in several participants. Among them are Gloria Beatty (Jane Fonda), a malcontent who's partnered with a drifter, Robert Syverton (Michael Sarrazin); a pregnant farm girl (Bonnie Bedelia) and her husband (Bruce Dern); a sailor (Red Buttons); and an aspiring actress (Susannah York). As the marathon winds into a staggering second month, suspicion, doubt and insecurity rages among the competitors and even the decaying and increasingly manipulative Rocky, leading to a shocking crime.

Cast

Jane Fonda
as Gloria
Michael Sarrazin
as Robert
Gig Young
as Rocky
Susannah York
as Alice
Red Buttons
as Sailor
Bonnie Bedelia
as Ruby
Bruce Dern
as James
Michael Conrad
as Rollo
Al Lewis
as Turkey
Robert Fields
as Joel
Severn Darden
as Cecil
Jacquelyn Hyde
as Jackie
Felice Orlandi
as Mario
Allyn Ann McLerie
as Shirl
Art Metrano
as Max
Gail Billings
as Lillian
Maxine Greene
as Agnes
Paul Mantee
as Jiggs
Madge Kennedy
as Mrs. Layden
Mary Gregory
as Nurse
Robert Dunlap
as College Boy
Tim Herbert
as Doctor
Tom McFadden
as Trainer
Kid Chissell
as Trainer
Chaing I
Philo McCullough
as Audience Extra
Marilyn Hassett
as Girl
Joseph Harris
as House Band
Teddy Buckner
as House Band
Hugh Bell
as House Band
Harold Land
as House Band
Teddy Edwards
as House Band
Hadley Coliman
as House Band
Thurman Green
as House Band
Laura Lamb
Les Robertson
as House Band
Ronnell Bright
as House Band
Ike Isaacs
as House Band
Joe Harris
as House Band
Bobby Hutcherson
as Band Leader
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Critic Reviews for They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

All Critics (29) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (24) | Rotten (5)

  • The material is simple and irresistible, and Sydney Pollack stages it well (though without transcending the essential superficiality of his talent).

    May 26, 2008 | Full Review…

    Dave Kehr

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • A sordid spectacle of hard times, a kind of existentialist allegory of life.

    May 26, 2008 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • The acting is strident and overblown, the narrative technique gimmicky and obvious, and the implication that the competitors' situation is a microcosm of a wider-reaching American malaise rather pretentious.

    June 24, 2006 | Full Review…
    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • The movie is by far the best thing that Pollack has ever directed (with the possible exception of The Scalphunters).

    May 20, 2003 | Rating: 4/5

    Vincent Canby

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • If there was ever a film that completely captures the utter desperation and despair of poverty, it's this one.

    June 4, 2019 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…

    Matthew Lucas

    From the Front Row

  • The film's problem is that it is almost an embittered celebration of exhaustion.

    July 12, 2018 | Full Review…

    Penelope Houston

    The Spectator
View All Critic Reviews (29)

Audience Reviews for They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

  • Jun 17, 2014
    A dance hall requires poor drifters and lost Depression-era souls to keep dancing for prize money. This film shouldn't work: set almost entirely in one location with the main characters fatigued to the point of almost passing out, the film's pace could slow to a standstill, much like the "dancing" we see by the end of the film. But it does work, thanks to the fantastic performances by Jane Fonda and Michael Sarrazin. Gig Young adds some energy to the film as one of the few conscious characters. The film is about the Depression, but it's more about class issues. Watching poor people dance to their deaths, the rich are shown getting pleasure out of others' misery, benefitting from the society that deems them superior. Overall, with everything against it, They Shoot Horses, Don't They? nevertheless delivers.
    Jim H Super Reviewer
  • May 06, 2014
    A slightly depressing film with impact as those who are down and out dance in order to win money during the Depression. A removal of humanity at its worst.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Mar 24, 2013
    Perhaps its a bit heavy handed and obvious in its symbolism, however I don't think there any other films that use a dance marathon contest in the early 1930s as setting to critique American society.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Apr 10, 2011
    In Depression era down-and-out Los Angeles a dance marathon on Santa Monica pier affords the opportunity to look in on the various lives involved. Overdone, yes, okay, but still moving as the cast embraces the cut out characters presented. Sarrazin, York, et al deliver the goods, but the picture belongs to Henry's little girl who manages to do Daddy proud. Gig Young as the ringmaster is nothing short of phenomenal.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
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