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They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

Drama · 1969

In the midst of the Great Depression, manipulative emcee Rocky enlists contestants for a dance marathon offering a $1,500 cash prize. Among them are a failed actress, a middle-aged sailor, a delusional blonde and a pregnant girl.

Movie details

They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

“People are the ultimate spectacle.”

1969 Drama 2h 0m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.6 / 10

Community rating

In the midst of the Great Depression, manipulative emcee Rocky enlists contestants for a dance marathon offering a $1,500 cash prize. Among them are a failed actress, a middle-aged sailor, a delusional blonde and a pregnant girl.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over They Shoot Horses, Don't They??

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Sydney Pollack

Written by

James Poe · Robert E. Thompson

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda

Gloria Beatty

Michael Sarrazin

Michael Sarrazin

Robert Syverton

Susannah York

Susannah York

Alice LeBlanc

Gig Young

Gig Young

Rocky Gravo

Red Buttons

Red Buttons

Sailor

Bonnie Bedelia

Bonnie Bedelia

Ruby Bates

Michael Conrad

Michael Conrad

Rollo

Court is in session

Put They Shoot Horses, Don't They? on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.