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They Shoot Horses, Don't They? Movie Poster
Plot, Details & Awards

They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

121min.
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Plot & Details

A total of nine Academy Award nominations went to this wildly acclaimed, allegorical drama set amongst the contestants in a marathon dance contest during the Great Depression. Gig Young stars as Rocky, the obnoxious emcee for a dance marathon that offers prize money of $1,500, a small fortune during hard economic times that brings out the worst in several participants. Among them are Gloria Beatty (Jane Fonda), a malcontent who's partnered with a drifter, Robert Syverton (Michael Sarrazin); a pregnant farm girl (Bonnie Bedelia) and her husband (Bruce Dern); a sailor (Red Buttons); and an aspiring actress (Susannah York). As the marathon winds into a staggering second month, suspicion, doubt and insecurity rages among the competitors and even the decaying and increasingly manipulative Rocky, leading to a shocking crime.
  • Genre(s): Drama
  • Run Time: 121min.
  • DVD Release Date: 10/12/1999
  • Director(s): Sydney Pollack
  • Starring: Jane Fonda , Michael Sarrazin , Susannah York , Gig Young , Red Buttons
  • Themes: Suicide,Down on Their Luck
  • Tone: Claustrophobic,Poignant,Atmospheric,Grim,Disturbing,Bleak
  • Keywords: Great-Depression,against-all-odds,ballroom,competition,dance [art],marathon,poverty,prize,survivor
  • Language: English

Awards

Academy Awards

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
1969 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Score Albert Woodbury Nominated
1969 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Editing Frederic Steinkamp Nominated
1969 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Costume Design Donfeld Nominated
1969 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Supporting Actress Susannah York Nominated
1969 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Art Direction Frank R. McKelvey Nominated
1969 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Supporting Actor Gig Young Won
1969 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Art Direction Harry Horner Nominated
1969 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Adapted Screenplay James Poe Nominated
1969 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Adapted Screenplay Robert E. Thompson Nominated
1969 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Director Sydney Pollack Nominated
1969 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Adapted Score Johnny Green Nominated
1969 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Actress Jane Fonda Nominated

British Academy of Film and Television Arts

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
1970 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Supporting Actress Susannah York Won

Golden Globes

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
1969 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Gig Young Won
1969 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama Jane Fonda Nominated
1969 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Susannah York Nominated
1969 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Red Buttons Nominated
1969 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Picture - Drama Nominated
1969 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Director Sydney Pollack Nominated
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