Ruffian movie on tonite (Sat. 6/9) [Archive]

findeight

Jun. 9, 2007, 09:03 AM

Oh...so it is a self proclaimed fictionalized version to avoid permission from those still living-or paying them-based on a true story? Made by Disney?

Imagine that, making up stuff as history in a movie. Never happened before...

Sure does not change my mind about watching it. I see it is on at 9pm, too late for some of the kiddies. I think that a good thing.

Strikes me as a bit of the car wreck mentality that seems to entertain so many.

WindyIsles

Jun. 9, 2007, 11:08 AM

I'll be watching it - with a box of kleenex next to me. :sadsmile:

horselips

Jun. 9, 2007, 12:56 PM

I cannot understand the mindset of people who refuse to grasp that some of us are watching this movie for it's depiction of a great racehorse's brilliance.

I had followed Ruffian's career since it began, and will watch the movie to remember her magnificence. Not all of us suffer from the Barbaro Complex. Watching the movie NOT as one who enjoys a train wreck, as was so rudely, and wrongly put, but because I see the movie as a tribute to her.

Jaegermonster

Jun. 9, 2007, 02:35 PM

In my area (N. FL) it is showing on NBC tonight, is it on NBC for anyone else?

Barnfairy

Jun. 9, 2007, 03:56 PM

I am eagerly anticipating watching this movie, hoping it does Ruffian's accomplishments justice. It's hard to expect much from a horse movie; not sure if there'll ever be another one as well made as Seabiscuit.

Ruffian's death was not in vain. Look at Barbaro's story to see how far we have come with recovery from anesthesia for horses. Look at Personal Ensign to see what horses with a leg fracture can come back to do.

Kenike

Jun. 9, 2007, 04:00 PM

It's on ABC here, which is the Disney owned affiliate. Not sure how it ended up on NBC for you

I'll be watching because I want to. I know how it ends, I know it's Hollywood (therefore, mostly fictionalized and not quite historically correct...putting it nicely), but I still want to watch it just because of Ruffian's legacy. I'll undoubtedly need kleenex, but that happens with just about everything these days (quite frustrating)

AppJumpr08

Jun. 9, 2007, 05:02 PM

I'm going to be out tonight - does anyone know if it will be aired again? I can't find abc's schedule for the movie beyond it's release today..

Wendy, are you going to tape it? Could you?

I know how it ends but I'd still like to see it... we all need a good cry every now and then!

Joanne

Jun. 9, 2007, 06:03 PM

....
Ruffian's death was not in vain. Look at Barbaro's story to see how far we have come with recovery from anesthesia for horses. Look at Personal Ensign to see what horses with a leg fracture can come back to do.

If you are referring to the pool recovery method, Ruffian could have used the same pool had she been closer. The pool was already in place at that time at New Bolton.

Anne FS

Jun. 9, 2007, 06:10 PM

If you are referring to the pool recovery method, Ruffian could have used the same pool had she been closer. The pool was already in place at that time at New Bolton.

Oh, man.

ms raven

Jun. 9, 2007, 07:04 PM

I was not alive during her time but have read the book, seen all her races on film and have admired Ruffian for many, many years.

I will be glued to the T.V., tissues in hand. and hoping they will share the story for her incredible career and heart and not her terrible end.

She was magnificient! What a fine day for her movie to air and for Rags to Riches!

Appjumpr - I read yesterday that it should air again in October (can't recall the exact date) but will be available on DVD and such.

mbj

Jun. 9, 2007, 07:15 PM

It was sort of hard to get people to use the pool at first.A new idea that took a while to be accepted.
I remember being sick at heart about Ruffian. What a wonderful spirit .

teal tea

Jun. 9, 2007, 07:28 PM

I have been trying to decide all day if I want to watch the movie. I loved the book Ruffian by Jane Schwartz but I don't know if I can handle watching a horse break down, even if it's just a depiction of an actual event. When Rags to Riches won I thought it was a sign for me to watch the movie but I don't know, it's still a hard subject. :sadsmile: Plus I'm watching a really cool rerun of Law and Order SVU. :D

Candle

Jun. 9, 2007, 08:33 PM

at least they appear to be using the same horse to play Ruffian :yes:

They are treating the viewing audience like idiots though :no:

GoDakota

Jun. 9, 2007, 08:41 PM

Our local ABC station has pre-empted the Ruffian movie to show a music awards show instead! :mad: They will be getting a not so nice e-mail from me expressing my disappointment, not that they will care.

DoubleClick

Jun. 9, 2007, 08:54 PM

at least they appear to be using the same horse to play Ruffian :yes:

They are treating the viewing audience like idiots though :no:

Not that it "really" matters, but the horse they're using appears to be male.

MistyBlue

Jun. 9, 2007, 09:02 PM

I think most movie/stunt trained horses are male, either geldings or stallions.
And I think I know why....the other day an *old* spaghetti western was on as I was flipping through the channels and I stopped for a moment to admire the horsies...(old movies always used the best colored horses for show) and as a posse was standing around in a group wondering where to gallop off to next...their horses were ruining the scene by all congregating around a cute chestnut and she started squatting and squirting, LOL! Her rider looked like he was trying hard to hide a laugh behind his glue on handlebar mustache. :lol:
I just flipped Ruffian on for 2 minutes...saw a horse getting bandaged in a stone walled stall and watched some actors standing around commenting on her attitude as the horse supposedly repeatedly kicked the crap out of the stone wall with the "injured" leg. So I turned it off...good thing they don't use accuracy because any "trainer" who doesn't move the kicking injured horse out of range of a stone wall is a complete moron. :rolleyes:
Now I'm wondering if it's good for the movie that a filly won the Belmont right before it...or if it's bad for the audience to show a film of a race horse who breaks down.

sketcher

Jun. 9, 2007, 09:30 PM

at least they appear to be using the same horse to play Ruffian :yes:

They are treating the viewing audience like idiots though :no:

I dunno...I've counted 4 horses so far.

gubbyz

Jun. 9, 2007, 09:33 PM

Can't find it here in Calif! Man I really want to watch it.

DoubleClick

Jun. 9, 2007, 09:36 PM

I definitely wasn't prepared for the graphic recreation of her broken leg :cry:

enjoytheride

Jun. 9, 2007, 09:36 PM

well, the leg breaking scenes were not needed and poorly done

Candle

Jun. 9, 2007, 09:39 PM

oh :cry: that was graphic. i know, i know, but that many views of her leg?

Utah

Jun. 9, 2007, 09:40 PM

OMG...WHY did they have to do those scenes that way? I was hoping...if maybe like the "flashback" scenes in Seabiscuit with the old announcers and shots of the era..then maybe show crowd reaction...something...I was OK til those stupid "close ups". Wondered how they were going to do it...didn't expect that...Jesus............

CdnJumper

Jun. 9, 2007, 09:41 PM

OMG, i really don't think her leg breaking needed to be that graphic... i wasn't prepared for that... i just gasped and turned away... they need to warn people, i won't be sleeping well tonight... that sound will haunt me...

2Horse

Jun. 9, 2007, 09:46 PM

OMG! They did NOT need to show that!! Not just when it happened but a couple times after when she was standing on it! My 8 year old son was watching. He ran over to me burying his head in my chest totally upset. So was I. I think it was totally uncalled for to show all that.:mad:

2Horse

Jun. 9, 2007, 09:48 PM

I wish I knew a way to let ABC what I think. Anyone know a way?

Joanne

Jun. 9, 2007, 09:51 PM

Sugarbrook

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:04 PM

I hid my eyes for the entire race. I knew what was coming. Why did they have to re-create it so slowly and for so much detail? YUCK.

Sannois

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:06 PM

It is going upset a lot of horse-loving youngsters. I literally said "OMG" and turned away.

I remember watching the race as a young person. Then of course the media had to jump in and shortly thereafter some news show (it wasn't 60 minutes but something similar) did an episode of horses breaking down on the track. They showed even more horrible breaks.

So sad for all involved and all the fans who loved her.

I could not believe they showed it that graphically. I havent cried like that in a while. Sam Shepherd was great. I like the real footage at the end.
She was one incredible horse. I was 16 and living in New York when that race was run. I was devistated. What an incredible waste of horse over a match race. Who knows what she could have gone on to do. And even been a sensational broodmare. :no:

stbgirl

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:06 PM

I remember when I was little pretending to be Ruffian while I ran around my parent's front yard with the girl down the road. (Although she had been dead for more than a decade by then) What a beautiful mare she was.

The breakdown scene was horrific. Could have done it in a nicer way than flapping her leg all over the place...made me remember the pictures of Go For Wand.

ShowMeTheGlory

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:06 PM

farmgirl88

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:07 PM

i thought the movie was absolutely wonderfully done...i was of course balling my eyes out, but i think it was once of the most raw, emotional, beautiful films i have ever watched. I think ABC did a WONDERFUL job, and i applaud them for showing what they did of the breaking down scenes/broken leg views. They showed every aspect of horse racing, even the ugly, and i say "good for them". It's not every day that horse racing enthusiasts enjoy admitting this is what actually goes on in their sport...pretty much daily all over the nation, and I think its a part of the sport, and it should be televised. And not that just it should be televised for those reasons, but basically for the truth behind Rufian's story. It's a part of the sport, and it should not be hidden for the sake that "we need to get more people to start liking racing"... or "racing is loosing interest". I thought the acting...especially by the head trainer was EXCELLENT. He really captured the spirit, bond, emotion a true horseman has. And what an ending....whew

Freebird!

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:09 PM

ThePerfectFit

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:11 PM

Quite graphic for the break down scene. My boyfriend (who is not horse-y at all) and I both cringed and looked away.

I thought that the movie was well done though, and that it portrayed her beautifully.

- I caught one mistake though, they brought the 'filly' in from one of the races and I caught a glimpse of a sheath, rewound (sp?) it, and saw the sheath again. Lol. I like pointing out mistakes, especially in horse movies

Sannois

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:11 PM

Beenthere

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:12 PM

Frankly they portrayed that the trainer did NOT feel the horse was ready and was being pushed by the media and the owners fell for the hype. But did that really happen that way? Was there anything about the story that was not correct as the media seems to imply but I can;t find details. Do any of you know?

Frankly it is karma that Rags to Riches won today perhaps in the spirit of Ruffian but still probably the story did not need to be told.......will regular folks go watches races after that?

WindyIsles

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:14 PM

CdnJumper

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:16 PM

made me remember the pictures of Go For Wand.

I was going to say the exact same thing! Go For Wand was my generation, she will always hold a special place in my heart....

purplnurpl

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:20 PM

the close up of her eye. That is what finally pushed me over the edge with emotion.

Did they have to show her eye? I wasn't completely done with the movie until they showed her eye close.
Is anyone actually going to buy that movie? It's the see once kind of film and never again.

I'm going to go give my horsie a great big kiss now.

holmes

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:22 PM

Did you know her sire and dam died the same way she did.

AllWeatherGal

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:27 PM

Jeez ... I have a half an hour to decide if I can handle the awful parts you all are spoiling about. I really want to see the movie ... Ruffian was a huge part of my early teen years, but ...

And no HLAS, I didn't know her parents went the same way.

Californians who use COMCAST ... it's advertised to be on channel 7 in my area (between San Jose and San Francisco).

Barnfairy

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:46 PM

Very bad B movie. Won't be watching it ever again. Didn't do her justice at all.

Did you know her sire and dam died the same way she did.Well technically, yes, all three were euthanized. The tragic circumstances which brought that about are worth clarifying:

Ruffian's sire, Reviewer, had a history of repeated fractures during his racing career. He broke a hind leg while at stud, came through surgery successfully, then broke it again while coming out of anesthesia for a cast change.

Ruffian's dam, Shenanigans, thrashed so hard coming out of anesthesia from colic surgery that she broke two legs.

The demise of her sire and dam ensured that that particular combination would never exist again (though it had been tried again before their deaths, and Shenanigans did not take -- it wasn't meant to be).

There are lessons to be learned from this, and one is, breed responsibly. Ruffian was heavily inbred to Discovery.

Allie Pal

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:48 PM

I didn't watch it as I knew the outcome. From what I've just read, I'm glad I didn't. I can remember that day and it was so horrific, I was a young teen and I can remember my Mom saying no good would come from the match race. She was so right, racing lost a beautiful, wonderful mare. She was really amazing. It was so sad.

miss_critic

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:50 PM

Did you know her sire and dam died the same way she did.

Meaning breaking a leg? They were retired though, so when they were turned out, or how?

Joanne

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:54 PM

I did find this interesting article which talks about her bloodlines contributing.

http://www.reines-de-course.com/ruffian.htm

VASQUEZ21

Jun. 9, 2007, 10:56 PM

First, the movie wasn't too bad. But some of the special effects were unwarranted and the portrayal of the movie as a true story is laughable.

My uncle is Jacinto Vasquez. He had absolutely no input in this movie. Neither did Frank Whiteley or any body else that worked around the horse. ESPN wanted to use their names and depict them in the movie but gave them no control over the content. Thus, they did not give ESPN the rights to use their stories in the film.

Also, the consultant on the movie, reporter Bill Nack, did not have contact with Frank Whiteley for more than one year prior to the match race on July 6, 1975.

Finally, I have not read the new book released by William ("Bill") Nack titled "Ruffian: A Racetrack Romance" but the movie used plenty of dialogue that was directly taken from the Jane Schwartz book "Ruffian: Burning From the Start."

I spoke to my uncle late last week and he told me that he and Frank Whiteley were filing a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Atlanta earlier this week:

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=39231&source=rss

Last year Jacinto while visiting Churchill Downs for a KY Derby Alumni Day autograph session, he told me that ESPN wanted to purchase the saddle that he used to ride both Ruffian & Foolish Pleasure. The price was $2,500. ESPN told him that after the movie was filmed they would sell the saddle at auction. That was the last negotiations that Jacinto had with ESPN. That was late 2005, early 2006.

Buffyblue

Jun. 9, 2007, 11:02 PM

I was watching it and fell asleep. After reading all these comments, I think I'm glad I did.

Barnfairy

Jun. 9, 2007, 11:02 PM

Meaning breaking a leg? They were retired though, so when they were turned out, or how?mc, we must have been posting at the same time. See my post a couple above yours to answer your question.

.jet.

Jun. 9, 2007, 11:05 PM

Personally, I think the movie could have been done better. Better acting, more story, and better dialoge(Some of the lines just sounded...stupid...) I had never heard of her fracture being Go For Wand-ish, I thought it more of an actual fracture, not a whole 'woah, your leg snapped off' break. I would also like to point out that they used four geldings to portray her, and the 'hero horse' was in fact a Selle Francais, not a Thoroughbred. He did actually have almost the exact markings Ruffian did. I would really really love to see her have a feature length, Seabiscuit like movie. Only that would do her justice. I learned about her only a little while ago, but now have made it my personal mission to tell everyone about her. And anytime anyone says 'so and so was the greatest racehorse!' I always say 'Nuh-uh. Ruffian.'

Every time I bring this up in Ruffian discussions, nobody seems to have realized this: Barbaro, Go for Wand, and Ruffian are all related. It seems to me that all the great horses that break down are inbred with Native Dancer. Maybe I'm a freak for looking up lines like that. Anybody else seen that?

.jet.

Jun. 9, 2007, 11:09 PM

p.s- Didn't see the other post with the Ruffian lineage page XP. I also wanted to see if anybody else knew that Shanigans(know I spelled that wrong >.<) was bred (I think) 2 more times to Reviewer, but always came up bare. So when people say she was a freak of nature, she really was.

Loki

Jun. 9, 2007, 11:10 PM

I actually bought the horse used to play Ruffian and sold him to a client. He now has a life as a jumper and gets to stay in my barn. Makes me love and respect him that much more after having watched the movie and the clips on ESPN. What an honor for him to represent such an amazing animal. She died 2 days before I was born.

Loki

Jun. 9, 2007, 11:17 PM

I could definately tell my horse from the others. He was in most of the close up non running shots. My husband who knows next to nothing also saw the sheeth shot!

Kenike

Jun. 9, 2007, 11:33 PM

Another one who caught the sheath and felt the leg snapping was WAY too graphic, despite the leg being so obviously fake. I also said "OMG" and closed my eyes.

Hubby groaned when he walked in from work and said "not another horse movie." I said he'd be going to bed, anyway, so it didn't affect him. Low and behold, he stayed up AND CRIED! That says a lot (and he's a horsey guy).

I though it was pretty well done, also noticed a lot of the lines were direct quotes from Jane Schwartz's book, and am actually pleased with who they chose to play the parties involved. It was a bit choppy and missed a few points, but those who haven't studied her or followed her career wouldn't know that. It was better than I ever expected.

On a sidenote: didn't Todd Pletcher train under Frank Whiteley? How ironically fitting that Rags To Riches won (a FANTASTIC) race today with Todd Pletcher training.

miss_critic

Jun. 9, 2007, 11:48 PM

mc, we must have been posting at the same time. See my post a couple above yours to answer your question.

WHOOPS! VERY interesting. Thanks for the info. Can that really be a coincidence?

MY TB has allllll sorts of feet issues. His grandfather is Buckpasser, WHO, coincidentally, had FOOT ISSUES. gee........

gubbyz

Jun. 10, 2007, 12:50 AM

Just saw the movie, the leg breaking was not too gory, todays movies are far worse. So little kids crying, leg flapping, come on, that is what happened, they showed it how it happened. It was no where near Go For Wands break, which was way more graphic. I do not think they went overboard with it. Glad I watched it. And yes folks, "thats horse racing". Unfortunatly there is a bad side to the good side, and yes I did cry at the end.

Kenike

Jun. 10, 2007, 01:16 AM

You know, I don't think the leg break would've been so graphic to me if it wasn't a network TV movie, or if they gave a quick "viewer disgression is adviced" thingy for parents and those who are like my mother. I truly feel for the parents who will be dealing with kiddos nightmares from that tonight.
If it was a big screen movie, you bet I'd have thought it was perfectly fine! (even though it would've still made me react how I did)

ms raven

Jun. 10, 2007, 02:24 AM

Enjoyed it much, much more than the hollywood-ized "Seabiscuit". :)

It is a story that had to be told. There has never been another match race in North America since that day, and it is so fitting that she is the only one buried at Belmont and her story is told on this day for Rags to Riches.

Actually thought they did a really good job with the "break". Quite CSI style, obviously fake and not 1/10th as graphic as the actual footage, replays and slo-mos shown on her documentary. That was horrible. Here they showed it, and then shot most everything from the knee up and showed the break one more time. They had to get the seriousness of it across, it had to mean something and for that it could not be a far angle shot of her breaking down on the backstretch.

Could have been better but well done movie I say!

Sannois

Jun. 10, 2007, 06:01 AM

They said in the Movie she blew out her Sesmoid bones. Is that correct? Also was the break in actuality that graphic? I don't recall.
And excuse my ignorance or lack of memory... old age. LOL But the raft that was invented for recovery of horses after leg surgery, when was that in use. Was it Dean Richardson who invented it? How many TBs could have been saved from Ruffians fate if there was that sort of apparatus.
Forgive me if I am wrong, but to me it was more tragic that she came through the surgery only to break her other leg with the thrashing. That was too much to bear. I would rather she had been put down instead of suffer that fate. I know its just me. but that tore me up mre than the actual breakdown. :no::(

thegirlwonder

Jun. 10, 2007, 06:07 AM

The breakdown will always be the worst part for me. True I wasn't technically born until 3 years later, but believe me, with all the reading I did while traveling to horse shows in my junior years I feel like I was there. She did blow out her entire sesamoid and was taken to the clinic for surgery. I am not sure about the inflatable cast though, that seems like it should have come later. Anyhow, the breakdown is unbearable because she was still trying to run even after her blow out. She made it another 50 yds before her jock could pull her up.

When she awoke from her anesthesia, she was still running.

I cry whenever I think about it and this movie last night only added fuel to the fire.

YankeeLawyer

Jun. 10, 2007, 06:08 AM

The demise of her sire and dam ensured that that particular combination would never exist again (though it had been tried again before their deaths, and Shenanigans did not take -- it wasn't meant to be).

There are lessons to be learned from this, and one is, breed responsibly. Ruffian was heavily inbred to Discovery.

You are kidding, right? Ruffian was one of the greatest racehorses of all time and you point to her as an example of irresponsible breeding?

FYI, a lot of horses react badly coming out of anesthesia.

Freebird!

Jun. 10, 2007, 06:35 AM

You are kidding, right? Ruffian was one of the greatest racehorses of all time and you point to her as an example of irresponsible breeding?

FYI, a lot of horses react badly coming out of anesthesia.

She was great because she was a fluke. While a lot of horses may have died coming our of anesthesia 30 years ago, Ruffian's breeding certainly didn't help.

http://www.reines-de-course.com/ruffian.htm is a good explanation of her pedigree.

Reviewer’s entire female family, the Flitabout clan, has consistently thrown soft horses."

and

The family is trouble and it gets much of that trouble from Challenger II who appeared to throw a recessive soundness problem inherited from his paternal grandsire John O’Gaunt, and the mare Traverse."

and

"Reviewer, let’s face it, should never have gone to stud. He was an accident waiting to happen."

And well, I guess you'll just have to read the article for yourself.

So yes, if they hadn't bred Reviewer to Shenanigans we may not have seen the likes of Ruffian....but we also wouldn't have seen her blow her sesmoids out in a match race.

Tackpud

Jun. 10, 2007, 06:46 AM

I got pre-empted by some music award show and couldn't wait up until Ruffian started at 11:45. :mad:

I clearly remember the match race - it was the day of the Poe's party. I had to go to the party after watching the race and just sat around crying with a few others.

rcloisonne

Jun. 10, 2007, 06:51 AM

They said in the Movie she blew out her Sesmoid bones. Is that correct? Also was the break in actuality that graphic? I don't recall.(
Yes, it was graphic. Hard to believe she could have recovered from this even if she hadn't refractured after surgery. It took a long while to stop her. And while I don't know if radiographs have ever been available, Ruffian's breakdown looked to be a far worse scenario than Barbaro's catastrophic injury.

I think most here have seen this but for those who haven't:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGFswkcfqaA&mode=related&search=

WARNING: Graphic breakdown.

Sannois

Jun. 10, 2007, 07:54 AM

Yes, it was graphic. Hard to believe she could have recovered from this even if she hadn't refractured after surgery. It took a long while to stop her. And while I don't know if radiographs have ever been available, Ruffian's breakdown looked to be a far worse scenario than Barbaro's catastrophic injury.

I think most here have seen this but for those who haven't:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGFswkcfqaA&mode=related&search=

WARNING: Graphic breakdown.

I'm blubbering again. As awful as the break on the Video was, abcs depiction was far too graphic. Thats for that I have never seen it. OR if I have its far too many years ago to remember. :no: What a great animal she was!

Sannois

Jun. 10, 2007, 08:23 AM

Did she have a barn name? or did they just call her Ruffian? She was so regal and full of class that I somehow doubt it. :sadsmile:

Pronzini

Jun. 10, 2007, 08:43 AM

The definitive book on Ruffian is Jane Schwartz' Ruffian: Burning From the Start. She mentions contemporary writers Bill Rudy, Russ Harris, Teddy Cox and Barney Nagler. The references to Bill Nack are exactly zero which supports Whiteley's contention that he might have been some nameless reporter hanging on the fringes but he certainly wasn't central to the story. I'm not certain why they did that since lovers of the Schwartz book will certainly recognize a lot of the imagery and point of view right down to ending with Whiteley looking at the new yearlings. I'm not sure why anyone really needed the Nack character at all.

FLAbreds

Jun. 10, 2007, 08:52 AM

I had not seen the original footage of the breakdown for quite some time and it's still painful to watch. I remember as a child watching that match race and sitting there asking my mother what Ruffian was doing when she broke down because she was clearly winning at that point. After she was euthanized I think I cried for days after that.

I enjoyed the movie, even though I was disappointed that they didn't actually film at Saratoga and in one scene you could clearly see that Ruffian was a gelding (ooops!). Sam Shephard did a great job and yes, the breakdown was graphic, but I watched it and cried from that point all the way to the end. :cry:

MsM

Jun. 10, 2007, 08:57 AM

Well I am old enough :eek: to remember the actual race. In fact I went to the track for the last race she finished. Still have the program and the winning ticket...
I remember the ridiculous "battle of the sexes" hoopla surrounding the race. I do recall the break and the quick application of the inflatable splint. If I recall correctly, it was a compound fracture with bones thru the skin - so worse than Barbaro's injury.
Some of the things that have improved since that time:
1. Waiting to operate until the horse is stabilized and calmer.
2. Improved anesthetics
3. Lighter and improved casting materials
4. Improved methods for anesthesia recovery
5. More options for pain control

Still, a few years ago Equus did a study and found that, given the severity of her injury, it was still unlikely that she could have been saved even with the improvements. The open injury set her up for massive infection problems, even if the other problems could have been overcome.

I also thought the leg breaking was a bit too graphic - the sound really cut through me.

AllWeatherGal

Jun. 10, 2007, 08:59 AM

First, the movie wasn't too bad. But some of the special effects were unwarranted and the portrayal of the movie as a true story is laughable.

My uncle is Jacinto Vasquez. He had absolutely no input in this movie. Neither did Frank Whiteley or any body else that worked around the horse. ESPN wanted to use their names and depict them in the movie but gave them no control over the content. Thus, they did not give ESPN the rights to use their stories in the film.

I think it's fortunate then that he was portrayed as such a sympathetic character. He was my favorite, along with Whitely, of course. Jacinto was such an honorable and likeable guy! I immediately wanted to learn more about him :)

No offense to those of you who know/own/love the horses who portrayed Ruffian, but they came nowhere close to creating the thrill I felt watching the clips at the end of the movie of the REAL girl.

I must be a real hard-hearted person, tho ... I got teary when Whitely was red-eyed, but that's it. It *IS* horseracing and while lots of people who work in the INDUSTRY love and care for their partners in sport, as an industry it's run according to financial business principles.

One thing ... at the end ... why was "thoroughbred" not capitalized? Of all the parts of the film, that actually annoyed me the very most!

SuperSTB

Jun. 10, 2007, 09:13 AM

I watched the movie... if you missed it- the Youtube video was better.

texang73

Jun. 10, 2007, 09:15 AM

I definitely wasn't prepared for the graphic recreation of her broken leg :cry:

Agreed. I thought that was abit much.

But, I thought it was an OK movie, bringing her story to many people that do not/ did not know about her. I bawled.:sadsmile:

QHJockee

Jun. 10, 2007, 09:21 AM

I also thought the leg breaking was a bit too graphic - the sound really cut through me.

Try being on one and hearing that sound....it lives with you forever. Well, I for one enjoyed the movie, perhaps it was because of my intimate knowledge of the people, places and set. I felt the first 1 1/2 hours did the movie justice, but the end was rather rushed and hurried. Didn't take the time to tell the story as they should have. Of course it was a low budget film and corners were cut.

In regards to the breakdown, Yves (director) felt it was integral that John Public, who aren't horsemen, understand the severity of the injury. To convey the seriousness of the injury rather than just say, "hey shoot the horse, it broke it's leg." And think there was some hope of saving. Remember, this was an open fracture - even today the horse wouldn't have much of a chance and would be put down on the track. As far as Nack's prescence, remember, this movie is not for horse people or people who remember this - it's for the millions of non horsey folks who are watching it for the STORY of a champion. They are not watching to see if Nack and Whiteley really talked in the barn daily, they don't care if a filly that was 17 hands in real life is as tall as an average QH and has a sheath. To watch it in with an open mind and in perspective of a layman, I Thought it was a good recap.

As with any movie, there was a lot more to the story and I know of at least 4 parts that ended up on the cutting room floor (myself included in 2 of these parts) that I'm sure the producers and network felt weren't important enough to the storyline to include in the short time on the tv (gotta have all those commercials you know). Hopefully the DVD will include these scenesm they help further tell the story.

I realize this is a touchy subject for many but if you are open minded about things, it was a pretty good movie. Every movie has its critics, of course. I was a critic of Dreamer (as far as from a practical horse racing standpoint) but at the end of the day, a movie is just that - a movie. It's for entertainment and though based on real life, does not mimic it. It told the story of a champion. I'm glad they chose to use the footage of her at the end. It showed her true magnificence and glory that abounded her.

Tory Relic

Jun. 10, 2007, 09:31 AM

Did she have a barn name? or did they just call her Ruffian? She was so regal and full of class that I somehow doubt it. :sadsmile:

Her barn name was Sophie.

Incidentally, my mare's barn name is Sofie (registered name So Fine). She's a "cousin" of Rags to Riches. :lol:

jaimebaker

Jun. 10, 2007, 09:37 AM

You are kidding, right? Ruffian was one of the greatest racehorses of all time and you point to her as an example of irresponsible breeding?

FYI, a lot of horses react badly coming out of anesthesia.

Freebird explained it beautifully. It was her breeding that probably had quite a bit to do with her breakdown. Soft bones, unsoundness, and the like are traits that can do with genetics.

Obviously, there was much more that led to her breakdown but her breeding didn't help her.

asb_own_me

Jun. 10, 2007, 09:44 AM

I TiVo'ed the movie but I'm having second thoughts about watching it, hearing all the negatives posted here. Somewhere packed away, I have a recording from ESPN of the Ruffian/Foolish Pleasure match race that was re-aired during a Ruffian special. I don't need to see it again.

Whoever mentioned Go For Wand - I remember that day vividly. I have that on tape somewhere as well (when I was a kid, I used to tape all the races that were televised). Again....I don't need to see it again. I know what happened and it's no less horrifying and sad now.

ElonGrad1997

Jun. 10, 2007, 09:53 AM

The stuff in the movie that made me nuts...

1) The obvious change in horses showing she was being played by a gelding with a resizing/reshaping star on "her" forehead
2) When they stretched her front let after saddling her for the match race, the hoof didn't match the color of her leg. They must have dyed the white leg black for the role.
3) The freakin' constant knickering/neighing. Who's horse does that?

On the up side, the movie was well acted. Sam Shepherd was brilliant. I did think the reporter was cheesey though.

I was born on April 14, 1975, Ruffian's return to racing. My husband was born on July 6, 1975...The Match Race. The racing scenes looked just like the video I've seen of her. I enjoyed seeing her actual clips at the end during the credits. Having been too young to remember her, that meant something to me. I'd love to have a DVD of races of great horses.

Someone asked about seeing it again...the DVD is being released June 12.

findeight

Jun. 10, 2007, 09:54 AM

Ok, I cheated and watched some of it...interspersed with Danica Patrick and a rerun of HBOs really great From the Earth to the Moon.
Better then I thought but burdened with some of the usual issues from the geldings to the worlds quietest horses in the barn...at least they made you believe Seabiscuit was not nice in the barn and horses can be difficult. There was no attempt here. That black horse kicking with the injured leg while a cast was being applied on cue while still dead quiet was silly. If memory serves, Ruffian was no sweatheart in the barn as portrayed here.

I just HATE it when the writers try to create drama and conflict by creating bad guys and good guys, like there wasn't enough already. Who knows what was said and what their motives might have been...since the principles had no input. Some may not have been portrayed fairly in the name of dramatic interest.

Far as the train wreck reference, don't take it personally. Sure did not mean it would be the reason most people watch. But I think it is valid for others. Anybody watch the Belmont telecast? They did a feature on one of the jockeys and his injury history...and drug out a series of gruesome beakdowns including one poor thing that tried to get up and keep running on a stump twice, finally knocking into another horse and staying down. Showed that Pimlico breakdown. Showed 3 or 4 others. At dinner time.
Why? People want to see the wrecks? Certainly could have edited out the leg flapping. I don't know.

In this movie telecast, might have been nice to put a more specific disclaimer before the climactic breakdown scene. They did have one at the beginning but it referred to "intense scenes of horse racing". It was PG13 and I am sure alot of 10 year old girls who love their ponies and stayed up to watch with their parents who did not know what was in store. Didn't need to see that one.

One other thing...I don't think the movie was all that fair to Foolish Pleasure and his connections. He was one fine race horse who went on to be an important sire. Stayed sound too. They sort of skipped over that.

Mini_Whinny

Jun. 10, 2007, 10:29 AM

You know, I don't think the leg break would've been so graphic to me if it wasn't a network TV movie, or if they gave a quick "viewer disgression is adviced" thingy for parents and those who are like my mother. I truly feel for the parents who will be dealing with kiddos nightmares from that tonight.

There was a warning at the very beginning of the movie

I agree that the leg break was badly done, unneccessary and cheesy. it wrecked an otherwise ok movie.

FAW

Jun. 10, 2007, 10:30 AM

Great book and a good job with the movie. Sorry to hear about the legal troubles. I hope all parties are compensated at the end so it doesn't interfre with the story about a great horse.

One of the tragic parts of racing, young horses, underdeveloped bones in the legs. This story goes on everyday after the country at tracks, although not to the level of severity as Ruffian or Barbaro

Give your horse a hug today

findeight

Jun. 10, 2007, 11:26 AM

Just had a friend call. Her 10 and 11 year old girls stayed up to watch it:no:. Didn't have a good night.

She felt blindsided. The opening disclaimer just said "intense horse racing action". She assumed it meant horse racing against each other. Was not familiar with what happened here and I suspect many others really did not know either.

Can't blame her. They needed a specific warning at the commercial break containing the words "graphic scences depicting injury may be too intense for younger viewers". Many others have inserted that into movies and documentaries.

Have to say I was pretty surprised too and think it was gut wrenching enough to just hear that gosh awful sound and see the jockey holding up her shoulder and thought that was it...until they cut to the leg laying on the floor of the ambulance. Knowing full well it was Disney and PG13 rated with that mild warning with the opening credits, I wonder how many other little girls got to stay up to watch it...:confused:

Mind you, I KNOW what happens and it was fair enough to depict it. But they should have rated it more mature or ran a stronger disclaimer prior to the match race and vet clinic scenes to give parents a chance to either be prepared or switch it off at 10:30 for "bedtime".

SchoOff5788

Jun. 10, 2007, 01:32 PM

All I have to say is, I wasn't expecting it and I gasped and about lost my lunch when they showed the leg break and then again when it was dangling there. I'm not one to cry, but the ending of the movie had me cryin like a baby!

Ruffian was definately one of the best horses out there. :sadsmile:

Sannois

Jun. 10, 2007, 01:37 PM

Her barn name was Sophie.

Incidentally, my mare's barn name is Sofie (registered name So Fine). She's a "cousin" of Rags to Riches. :lol:

Pretty neat about your mare. :)

Laurierace

Jun. 10, 2007, 02:02 PM

They showed Ruffian's real breakdown in the HBO Barbaro documentary. It wasn't pretty by any means, but nowhere near as graphic as in the movie.
For what its worth, this is one of the first horse "movies" that didn't have me screaming about what they were doing incorrectly throughout the entire thing. They did a decent job realism wise.
It did kind of piss me off that the trainer called the owners who were home in their jammies to tell them that she needed to be put down. Not quite on par with the Jackson's in my book who were truly at New Bolton every single day. I saw them with my own eyes and that was at a point when he was doing well and they were talking about releasing him. You know there were no calls from Matz while they were in their jammies......

larksmom@comcast.net

Jun. 10, 2007, 02:47 PM

all those years ago, living out here in the boonies, and before cable and computers, you had to really really want to know what was going on. I have seen every Derby [on tv] since 1965, except 1984 when I was at a horse show....] but back then it was very hard to follow. I too loved Ruffian, and was horrified in that race. Only watched about half the movie-I knew how it ended and couldn't bear to see it again.:sadsmile:
I also used to tape all racing, post vcr of course, and have the tragic horror of Go for Wand going down in the stretch. Truthfully, even though I STILL LOVE racing, I almost always now watch thru my fingers, worring 'was that a bad step? Ohhh how bad was that bump? Is that hole big enough to get thru? I cheer loudest when they all finish on four legs.
Janis in Independence

Tucked_Away

Jun. 10, 2007, 04:16 PM

until they cut to the leg laying on the floor of the ambulance.

!!!

Please tell me I shouldn't be picturing what I'm now picturing.

I didn't watch the movie, but did kick a post up on my blog saying, "Hey, this isn't going to have a happy ending." Felt a little silly doing it, given that it's a 25+yo historical event...but kept seeing the commercials and thinking, "Someone's kid is going to want to watch this."

Yikes.

Barnfairy

Jun. 10, 2007, 04:36 PM

You are kidding, right? Ruffian was one of the greatest racehorses of all time and you point to her as an example of irresponsible breeding?

FYI, a lot of horses react badly coming out of anesthesia.

Dead serious. I love that filly as much as anybody else could, but she was bred to break down just as much as she was bred to be brilliant. I'm not talking about her thrashing during recovery; I'm referring to her injuries. Sure, there are factors other than genetics that can result in fracture, but her sire Reviewer broke down repeatedly. Would you want to bring a mare to that? I stand by my post that it's something we should be aware of and learn from.

miss_critic

Jun. 10, 2007, 04:56 PM

I stand by my post that it's something we should be aware of and learn from.

I'm with you.

And as sickening as it was to see the break down on the show, that's what happened. It's like showing a WWII movie and keeping it clean. What do you learn? I think they actually kept a lot out. Read this transcript by Nack and you'll see what I mean.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/talkinhorses/BN052407.asp

The very very end of the movie (with her real footage) made me tear up the most. What grace.

La Gringa

Jun. 10, 2007, 05:09 PM

I watched half of the movie and then turned it off. I had a feeling I wasn't going to like the ending and I get upset about such things.. so I couldn't watch.

I have seen enough tragedies in real life to know what happens...

I am glad though they did make the movie realistic.... I thought they did a good job with the other parts.

Not a movie I would want kids to watch though... too scary at the end.

RIP Ruffian.

findeight

Jun. 10, 2007, 05:12 PM

It did kind of piss me off that the trainer called the owners who were home in their jammies to tell them that she needed to be put down. Not quite on par with the Jackson's in my book who were truly at New Bolton every single day. I saw them with my own eyes and that was at a point when he was doing well and they were talking about releasing him. You know there were no calls from Matz while they were in their jammies......

Let's not base our opinion of the owners on a movie that has been questioned for accuracy by some of the people who actually lived it. Who knows what they were wearing when when they were advised and who knows why they chose to be at home in the middle of that particular night 30 years ago. Not unreasonable for an older couple that were told the horse had less then a 10% chance.

I just hate it when they script these things to create good guys and bad guys or create situations that may never have happened.

Laurierace

Jun. 10, 2007, 05:50 PM

Let's not base our opinion of the owners on a movie that has been questioned for accuracy by some of the people who actually lived it. Who knows what they were wearing when when they were advised and who knows why they chose to be at home in the middle of that particular night 30 years ago. Not unreasonable for an older couple that were told the horse had less then a 10% chance.

I just hate it when they script these things to create good guys and bad guys or create situations that may never have happened.

Right, they could have created it any way they wanted to, and they went with an owner who went for the money against his trainer's advice, and then went home to bed when things went sour. Whether that is accurate in this case or not is irrelevant. Should I tell you how Waki Saint died in my arms with his leg literally dangling from the extensor tendon from the knee down? I didn't not own nor train this horse. I was an innocent bystander to the whole horror show, but he did not die alone thanks to me. More than could be said for his owner or trainer. I don't even know who they are, but I know no one was there besides me. Maybe that whole thing in the movie hit a little too close to home.......

2 tbs

Jun. 10, 2007, 07:31 PM

Biggest thing to remember about a made for TV movie or any hollywood movie even is that they are made for the general public not the specialists of that particular topic.

I always watch movies-based on true stories or based on nothing at all-with the intent of entertainment only. This keeps me from getting mad when I see dead quiet puppy-dog like geldings taking a mosey to the track for a big history making race. :winkgrin:

I am not an expert on Ruffian but I do know the basic details. I was OK with the movie. It is not a greatly acted movie and had it's discrepancies but it's nice to see someone putting money into creating movies about racing legends as they are a huge part of American history.

I too was quite surprised and horrified at the slow motion visual of the leg and the ear piercing sound that accompanied it and of course all I could think of was Go For Wand--especially in the scene following the break when the jockey was trying to pull her up. I felt they didn't need to be so "close" to the break and didn't need to be so graphic but if you didn't know horses at all--would you know what happened if they didn't spell it out for you?

Most people think we still shoot a horse because of a broken leg. In many cases-yes being euthanized is the only option but I did appreciate the surgery and the cast scenes to show the public that even a break as horrific as the one they showed stood a chance of possible recovery. We all know what the chances were--slim to none and no doubt Ruffian would've faced the same complications Barbaro went through--but the general public wants a happy ending so they showed major tragedy and then a possibility of hope. With a true story the ending isn't always happy so they made short of the recovery from anethesia and breaking of the other leg. I just wish they had thrown in a blurb about the lessons learned from Ruffian's untimely and tragic death so the public can see that we really have come a long way since then even though many days it doesn't seem like it.

It wasn't a terrible movie. I won't buy it but I did tape it. I doubt I'll ever watch it again but I was born 2 years too late for Ruffian so I'll keep it as a memory even though I already knew what happened and have seen the real footage.

DMK

Jun. 10, 2007, 08:19 PM

Knowing full well it was Disney and PG13 rated with that mild warning with the opening credits, I wonder how many other little girls got to stay up to watch it...

OK, I don't think it was any more graphic than anything I have seen on between 9-11 on network TV (CSI for instance). Yes, it may have hit a little closer to home for all of us horse people who knew the ending, but I'm sure lots of people see lots of things on TV that hit close to home that we don't think twice about. Next time one of the 763 cop programs shows someone hit by a drunk driver, remember someone watching it may have some personal experience with that particular experience.

As for Disney and PG-13? Doesn't anyone remember the Disney of MY youth? Old Yeller, anyone? I do believe that one aired on the Wonderful World of Disney ... 7PM Sundays, Prime Kid Watching Time.

And its not like Old Yeller stands out as some sort of anomaly. What about The Yearling? The Red Pony? Where the Red Fern Grows? Oh hell, even Bambi, fer chrissakes. Beloved Pet/Animal + Tragic Death sure was a staple of MY childhood classics.

OK, I better stop right now. I'm treading dangerously close to old fogey-dom, where I start ranting about how gratuitous violence and random killings are just fine on TV, but actual portrayals of real life (along with its inherent emotional highs and lows) are not to be tolerated. :D

jolise

Jun. 10, 2007, 09:56 PM

Didn't Ruffian's cast slip in recovery and that was when they put her down?
I don't remember that she broke a different leg in recovery. Does anyone know?
I liked the movie ok, but do think they should have alluded to the sad outcome at the start of the movie. Maybe showing her grave at the beginning and then telling the tale of the champion who left too soon. I think many people who were not familiar with Ruffian's story were blindsided at the ending and really did not expect that. They should have alluded to that at the start, so some of the parents watching with children would be prepared.

findeight

Jun. 11, 2007, 09:24 AM

I heard she did break another leg in recovery and damage the original cast.

Anyway, posted elsewhere, you didn't see the bullet rip into Old Yeller or watch the deer bleed out in the Yearling.

Death is one thing-and I am sure parents were prepared for the fact Ruffian did die. I just don't think they did anybody any favors by not even hinting at the graphic depiction a la CSI.

Lora

Jun. 11, 2007, 09:42 AM

redlight

Jun. 11, 2007, 09:50 AM

I was not planning on watching it since I saw the race on tv all those years ago. I was crushed then and it still brings a tear to my eye thinking about that day. Curiosity got the best of me and I watched the second hour. I sobbed the whole time especially during the ending. Not a movie I'd want my kids watching. What an amazing horse and an amazing time in our country when you think of women's rights and equality coming to the forefront at the same time as the match race. I thought that was well depicted in the movie. I am looking forward to the Secretariat movie next year!

Purely4Pleasure

Jun. 11, 2007, 10:15 AM

I thought the movie was about as well done as I expected it to be. Some parts were good, some were bad; Sam Shepherd was his usual splendidness, and the random sheath was kinda funny.

I guess I expected the breakdown to be about as graphic as it was. I found it painful to watch, but not in a "why are they showing that much?" kind of way. I agree that a second warning in the prior commercial break along the lines of findeight's suggestion:

"graphic scences depicting injury may be too intense for younger viewers"

I only stayed up through the decision to put her down, so I missed the actual shots/footage of Ruffian at the end. My bad.

Kenike

Jun. 11, 2007, 12:58 PM

There was a warning at the very beginning of the movie

Yes, but "contains intense racing scenes" does not equal "contains graphic material that my not be suitable for children. Viewer disgression advised."

I'm not talking about for those of us who know the story, knew what was coming and when, I'm talking about for those who had no clue and thought this was going to be a Seabiscuit'y warm and fuzzy feel-good movie with a happy ending.

But I'm still glad I watched it. Hubby said I can't buy the movie, but he didn't say I couldn't ask parents for it :winkgrin:

J. Turner

Jun. 11, 2007, 02:27 PM

I just posted on the other thread, but wanted to here, as well. - Geez, that was just horrid. Nothing like watching a reenactment of a horse running around on a grissily stump to end your day with. And would someone please telly Hollywood that horses do not just close their eyes when they get The Big Shot??

Honestly that was just appalling.

I did enjoy the movie. I thought the jockey and Sam Shepard and his groom were the best part of it. SS was most excellent. I cried profusely at the end.

I loved the footage at the end of the real Ruffian. She was amazing looking - just gorgeous. And her running was like a freak of nature.

The one problem I have with EVERY movie with a horse in it ... is the overdub of horse whinnies and nickers at every opportunity. Nigel doesn't nicker when I get on him or whinny when I pull up. I think horses have enough presence without it and real surrounding noises would be better.

asb_own_me

Jun. 11, 2007, 02:38 PM

Oh god....nothing anyone posted here could have prepared me for the scene where they show her leg snap. I've seen the original match race footage, yes we all know what was going to happen.....IMO unnecessarily graphic, gory and violent. I know her injury was all of those three things. But it didn't need re-created like that. :cry:

On a lighter topic, back to Hollywood and horses. Does the layman really think all horses look alike? Geez! I can't watch horse movies for being annoyed with the (what seems like) 1,576 different horses they have play each horse! And the gelding/mare thing....and then there is the scene near the beginning talking about how gorgeous and refined she is, and they show a coarse-headed horse standing in the stall with Mr. Whitely. Not to mention whinnying....do most people think horses whinny non-stop? :rolleyes:

I did love the scene where Mr. Whitely is hosing her legs out in the paddock, and turns and sprays the bystanders to get them to back off :lol::lol::lol: I wouldn't be surprised if that was something that he really did!

Movie is still playing (watching it over lunch)...it's so sad how they are all waiting while she was in surgery and second-guessing what went wrong. Was it the pigeons.....something at the starting gate....how heartbreaking. I remember being so touched by her groom, Dan, in the book (Burning From The Start) and I have enjoyed his portrayal in the movie as well. He seemed to love that filly more than anything.

More than anything...the worst part about the movie for me was seeing their re-creation of when she woke up from anaesthesia (sp?) and she was still trying to run. My heart broke all over again. I couldn't take it in the book, either...

asb_own_me

Jun. 11, 2007, 02:40 PM

The one problem I have with EVERY movie with a horse in it ... is the overdub of horse whinnies and nickers at every opportunity.

LOL - we were posting at the same time. All the whinnying is incredibly distracting!

Rebe

Jun. 11, 2007, 03:05 PM

Yes, but "contains intense racing scenes" does not equal "contains graphic material that my not be suitable for children. Viewer disgression advised."

Umm, I think you mean "viewer discretion" - a disgression might be a combination of digression (getting off-track) and aggression (being mad about it?). I could use that combo at work when meetings are spinning out of control... :lol:

But really, folks. The movie is rated PG-13, not G. So it's suitable for kids age 13 and up, not 10-year-olds. The breakdown scene was after 10:30 at night. Younger kids are not supposed to be up that late watching movies - that's part of why they run them at that hour.

Parents need to think clearly about this, not just allow their kids to stay up and watch whatever is on. Or tape the show, let the parent view it and decide if the kids should watch it.

OK, sorry about the disgression...:D

Sannois

Jun. 11, 2007, 05:10 PM

I'm with you.

And as sickening as it was to see the break down on the show, that's what happened. It's like showing a WWII movie and keeping it clean. What do you learn? I think they actually kept a lot out. Read this transcript by Nack and you'll see what I mean.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/talkinhorses/BN052407.asp

The very very end of the movie (with her real footage) made me tear up the most. What grace.
Like the begining of saving Private Ryan. That was about as realistic as you can get. And it can cause one to urp up there dinner. But it really was like that.
:eek:

larksmom@comcast.net

Jun. 11, 2007, 06:15 PM

When the Lippizans come around and I go to see them with my horsey friends, we spend a good deal of the time commenting on this or that non entity. Does it matter? One thing I did notice in the parts I did watch, it seemed to me, a lot of the shots were head and neck shots, legs detatched from the same head. A lot of shots in a darkened shedrow. I thought that seemed to me that they KNEW we would all be murmuring and tried to minimise such chaff. One of my favorite hose movies of all time is 'The Man from Snowy River' and although most of it is perfectly shot, there is a darkend scene where you can clearly see the wranglers. Doesn't even worry me, it is still a terrific movie.
As far as whinnieing [?] my late great Dr. Pepper was notorius for her ear splitting whinny at a show for sure.
Janis

OakesBrae

Jun. 11, 2007, 07:57 PM

The one problem I have with EVERY movie with a horse in it ... is the overdub of horse whinnies and nickers at every opportunity.

What cracks me up about that is when they do it when they portray jumping in a movie. Oh yea, my horse whinnies over every jump. Or nickers.

Uhhhh yup.

I was sorry I missed the movie, it looked good. Footage of accidents like that is horrible, but reality. I, for one, would rather have my children watch that than something faked and completely sensationalized.

But maybe that's just me.

Kenike

Jun. 12, 2007, 01:23 AM

Umm, I think you mean "viewer discretion" -

Uh, yeah, I did. Whoops!! :lol: That's what I get for talking to hubby, trying to keep 1 yr old out of my lap for a second, and not paying attention!
Boy, I made myself look like a complete idiot with that one! :lol:

I have to agree with the winnies and nickers. It bothered me as a little kid, even. I've never understood it....

J. Turner

Jun. 12, 2007, 06:47 AM

One of my favorite hose movies of all time is 'The Man from Snowy River' and although most of it is perfectly shot, there is a darkend scene where you can clearly see the wranglers. Doesn't even worry me, it is still a terrific movie.
Janis

Just wondering what scene ... I never am good at finding continuity error and such ... there is a great website that points them out though ...

larksmom@comcast.net

Jun. 12, 2007, 08:08 PM

They were going after horses in the dark, Jim's mare was 'running with the mob' and he was chasing them. It is b4 the big chase scene. watch it again. You will see it too.;)

dressagetraks

Jun. 18, 2007, 06:49 PM

About the owners, from what I've read, Mrs. Janney was not in good health at all. They were both on the backstretch (whole backstretch interval not shown in movie) when Ruffian was first taken back to her stall, and Mrs. Janney was absolutely heartbroken. Several people, including Bill Nack in his recent Blood Horse chat, mentioned her obvious feelings. Not feeling well, she returned to her brother's nearby estate when Ruffian was taken for the several-hour surgery, but Mr. Janney went with Ruffian to the hospital and was there throughout the surgery. He left the hospital only after she was in recovery, at which point (wee small hours of the morning by now) he went to join his wife, as he was also concerned for her. He thought Ruffian was safe for the moment at that point. So they weren't absentee, noncaring owners who just went home and to bed instead of even checking on their horse.

I agree, though, from what the movie shows, they don't seem too in touch that evening. I don't think that portrayal does justice to the Janneys, from what I've read elsewhere.

I also agree that the generic disclaimer at the beginning should have been MUCH more explicit. Wonder how many horse-crazy kids were watching, not expecting that.