Screening

About They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

The seemingly banal Depression-era craze of the dance marathon is transformed into a truly horrific spectacle exploiting human desperation as good ol’ fashioned American entertainment in Sydney Pollack’s They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? Jane Fonda and Michael Sarrazin deliver powerhouse performances as beleaguered dance contestants alongside an amazing supporting cast, including Red Buttons, Gig Young, Bruce Dern, and Susannah York. Adapted from a 1935 novel by Horace McCoy, the film was nominated for a staggering nine Academy Awards and Gig Young received the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his virulent performance as the marathon’s conniving emcee. [129 min; drama; English]

"A sordid spectacle of hard times, a kind of existentialist allegory of life." — Variety

"By far the best thing that Pollack has ever directed." — Vincent Canby, The New York Times

"An important film about a time in America's history that wasn't so glamorous. You won't forget it." — Austin Kennedy, Film Geek Central

Any film screened at IU Cinema may contain content that viewers find sensitive or upsetting. Visit our Audience Advisories page to learn more.

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