Equus (film)

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.

Contents
[hide]
 * 1 Plot
 * 2 Cast
 * 3 Reception
 * 3.1 Accolades
 * 4 References
 * 5 External links

Plot[edit]
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[edit]

 * 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[edit]
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.[1]

Accolades[edit]

 * 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)
 * Others
 * BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress – Jenny Agutter (won)
 * BAFTA Award for Best Film Music – Richard Rodney Bennett (won)
 * Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor – Peter Firth (won)