Equus (film)

Equus
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Sidney Lumet
Produced by	Elliott Kastner Lester Persky Denis Holt
Screenplay by	Peter Shaffer
Based on	Equus by Peter Shaffer
Starring	Richard Burton Peter Firth Jenny Agutter Joan Plowright Colin Blakely
Music by	Richard Rodney Bennett
Cinematography	Oswald Morris
Edited by	John Victor-Smith
Production company	Winkast Film Productions
Distributed by	United Artists
Release dates	October 14, 1977 (1977-10-14) (United Kingdom) October 16, 1977 (1977-10-16) (United States)
Running time	137 minutes
Country	United Kingdom United States
Language	English

Equus is a 1977 British-American drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Richard Burton. Peter Shaffer wrote the screenplay based on his play Equus. The film also featured Peter Firth, Colin Blakely, Joan Plowright, Eileen Atkins, and Jenny Agutter.

Plot

Psychiatrist Martin Dysart investigates the savage blinding of six horses with a metal spike in a stable in Hampshire, England. The atrocity was committed by an unassuming 17-year-old stable boy named Alan Strang, the only son of opinionated but inwardly-timid Frank Strang and his genteel, religious wife, Dora. As Dysart exposes the truths behind the boy's demons, he finds himself face-to-face with his own.

Cast

• Richard Burton as Martin Dysart
• Peter Firth as Alan Strang
• Colin Blakely as Frank Strang
• Joan Plowright as Dora Strang
• Harry Andrews as Harry Dalton
• Eileen Atkins as Hesther Saloman
• Jenny Agutter as Jill Mason
• Kate Reid as Margaret Dysart
• John Wyman as Horseman
• Elva Mai Hoover as Miss Raintree
• Ken James as Mr Pearce

Reception

Unlike the play, the film version was placed in a realistic setting, using real horses. Some critics and theatre purists found this objectionable, arguing that the spirit of the stage play was lost in the film. Others had praise for both Burton and Firth, who were in the stage versions of the play. The film received mixed reviews, currently holding a 69% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Accolades

Academy Awards

• Best Actor – Richard Burton (nominated)
• Best Supporting Actor – Peter Firth (nominated)
• Best Adapted Screenplay – Peter Shaffer (nominated)

Golden Globes

• Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama – Richard Burton (won)
• Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture – Peter Firth (won)

BAFTAs

• BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress – Jenny Agutter (won)
• BAFTA Award for Best Film Music – Richard Rodney Bennett (nominated)
• BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress – Joan Plowright (nominated)
• BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor – Colin Blakely (nominated)
• BAFTA Award for Best Screenplay — Peter Shaffer (nominated)

Others

• National Board of Review: Top Ten Films

External links

• Equus at IMDb
• Equus at AllMovie
• Equus at Rotten Tomatoes