They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

People dance till they can’t stand anymore, literally and figuratively, then somebody gets a bullet, because it’s cheaper than therapy.

🍿 They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to the Dance Marathon

Set during the Great Depression, the film opens with Robert, an aspiring filmmaker, finding himself drawn into a grueling dance marathon in California. These marathons were a popular, albeit desperate, form of entertainment and a source of potential income for those struggling financially. The lure of prize money attracts a diverse group of individuals, each with their own hopes and dreams.

Partnerships and Personal Struggles

Robert pairs with Gloria, a cynical and world-weary woman haunted by a difficult past. Their partnership forms the emotional core of the film. Alongside them are other contestants: Alice, an aspiring actress clinging to fleeting hopes of stardom, a struggling married couple, and a veteran sailor each battling their own demons under the relentless pressure of the marathon.

The Exploitation and Attrition

As the marathon progresses, the relentless demands take a severe toll on the contestants’ physical and mental health. Rocky, the manipulative emcee, exploits their desperation for the amusement of the audience, staging grueling ‘derbies’ and encouraging personal dramas to boost viewership. The film exposes the dehumanizing nature of the competition and the lengths to which people will go to survive.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Gloria (Jane Fonda): A cynical and disillusioned woman participating in the dance marathon, seeking escape from her hopeless existence.
• Robert (Michael Sarrazin): An aspiring filmmaker who becomes Gloria’s dance partner, drawn into the bleak world of the marathon.
• Rocky (Gig Young): The manipulative and opportunistic emcee of the dance marathon, exploiting the desperation of the contestants.
• Alice (Susannah York): A delusional and fame-obsessed aspiring actress competing in the marathon for a chance at stardom.
• Sailor (Red Buttons): An aging, seasoned sailor and marathon competitor who faces his own physical limitations and contributes his experience to the marathon.
• Ruby (Bonnie Bedelia): A pregnant contestant, dancing with her husband for the prize money to secure a better future for their unborn child.
• James (Bruce Dern): Ruby’s husband and determined competitor, striving to win the prize to create a better life for his family and future child.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Rocky: “I may not know a winner when I see one, but I sure as hell can spot a loser.” – Rocky’s cynical view of the contestants reflects the exploitation inherent in the dance marathon.
• Gloria: “They shoot horses, don’t they?” – Gloria asks Robert to kill her, referencing the mercy killing of injured animals, and asking him to end her suffering.
• Robert: “They shoot horses, don’t they?” – Robert’s simple explanation to the police after shooting Gloria captures the film’s central theme of compassion and despair.
• Rocky: “Yowza! Yowza! Yowza!” – Rocky’s catchphrase hyping up the crowd but masking the misery of the contestants is the very distillation of the movie.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $12,600,000
• Worldwide Gross: $12,600,000

💥 They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, this movie is intense! I felt like I was right there in that dusty dance hall, watching these desperate people slowly lose their minds and bodies. Jane Fonda is incredible as Gloria; her cynicism is so sharp, but you can also see the pain underneath. I was completely drawn in to her journey. The ‘Derby’ scene was hard to watch. Overall it’s a film that stays with you long after the credits roll. It’s a brutal, but powerful look at human nature.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in historical films about the Great Depression”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven stories”
  • “Individuals interested in films that explore complex social and psychological themes”
  • “Viewers of films by director Sydney Pollack”
  • “Fans of Jane Fonda, Gig Young and Susannah York”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suicide”
  • “Depression”
  • “Exploitation”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Violence”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “A brutally bleak screen adaptation of the pulpy Horace McCoy novella, about a Depression-era dance marathon where down-and-outers drive themselves to the brink of exhaustion to win the cash prize.
• GoldDerby: “Jane Fonda’s ultra-cynical, sharp-tongued character, Gloria, contrasts perfectly with the eerily-resigned Robert. The casting and dialogue are brilliant. The visual effects are haunting. For those interested in the social pathology that allows human suffering to become a form of amusement, the malicious ill-treatment of the poor, or the harsh realities of the depression era, this is multifaceted cinema that can be watched again and again, each time yielding new subtleties.
• N/A: “Director Sydney Pollack vastly improves on the source material, making something much richer and deeper out of McCoy’s lurid novella. He uses an edgy, jarring style that’s suited perfectly to the material, and which he would never again display. ‘They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?’ holds a sort of grisly fascination over its audience. Bleak as it is, it’s also entertaining in a rather morbid way, making us feel like we’re members of the audience watching this sick spectacle.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved Jane Fonda’s captivating performance and her portrayal of a deeply cynical character.: Many viewers appreciated the film’s unflinching portrayal of the Great Depression and its impact on ordinary people.

Viewers found the movie’s depiction of human exploitation both disturbing and relevant to modern times.: A substantial amount of regular viewers appreciated how the movie mirrored today’s reality television contests.

Overall Consensus: They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? is widely regarded as a powerful, albeit depressing, masterpiece that offers a bleak look at the desperation of the Depression era and the exploitation of human suffering.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor)- 1970
2. Golden Globe (Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture)- 1970

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Holds the record for the movie with the most Academy Award® nominations (9) without a nomination for Best Picture.”
• “Sydney Pollack filmed the movie in sequence to help the actors portray the growing fatigue of their characters.”
• “Jane Fonda’s performance as Gloria Beatty is considered one of the best of her career, earning her a New York Film Critics Circle Award.”
• “The set was modeled on the old Aragon Ballroom on the Lick Pier at Santa Monica, California, giving the film a realistic Depression-era atmosphere.”

🖥️ How to Watch They Shoot Horses, Don’t They??

Currently, “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” can be streamed on platforms like Paramount+. It is also available for purchase or rental on demand through services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check local listings for potential television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?, you might like these similar films:

• Midnight Cowboy (1969): Shares a gritty, realistic depiction of societal outcasts and the dark underbelly of American dreams in the late 1960s.
• The Grapes of Wrath (1940): Presents a stark view of the Depression era and the struggles of marginalized people, focusing on economic hardship and human resilience.
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975): Explores themes of institutional control, individual rebellion, and the dehumanizing effects of societal pressures, sharing a similar sense of hopelessness.
• Network (1976): Offers a cynical look at the exploitation of human suffering for entertainment, highlighting the media’s role in creating spectacle and dehumanization.

🛒 They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? Related Products

• They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A pristine transfer of the film with extensive bonus content, including interviews, essays, and behind-the-scenes features. A must-have for cinephiles and collectors.
• Horace McCoy – They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (Novel): The original novel by Horace McCoy that inspired the film, offering a deeper dive into the characters and themes. See how the movie compares to the original source material.
• Dance Marathon: Endurance, Entertainment, and the All-American Obsession (Book): This book dives deep into the history of dance marathons and their cultural significance during the Great Depression.
• 1930’s Vintage Style Dress: Dress up in vintage style to match the depression era. You’ll get the experience of the dancers and their trials.

🎧 Soundtrack

They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Easy Come, Easy Go” – performed by Edward Heyman & Johnny Green
• “I Cover the Waterfront” – performed by Edward Heyman & Johnny Green

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Hollywood Babylon: Films on the dark side of the Golden Age

Ever wondered about the grim realities behind the glitz and glamour of old Hollywood? This video dives deep into movies that expose the dark side, including ‘They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?’ – it’s a real eye-opener!

Sophie Ellis-Bextor – The Making of ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’

Did you know that ‘They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?’ inspired Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s iconic ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ music video? This making-of video uncovers the surprising connection and it’s super interesting!

Joy Division – Transmission (Dance to the radio). Lyrics music video

This isn’t your typical music video! It creatively blends scenes from ‘They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?’ with Joy Division’s ‘Transmission’. The visual synergy is fantastic; you have to see it!

✨ Rate