They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
“People are the ultimate spectacle.”
Synopsis
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.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? Official Trailer #1 - Bruce Dern Movie (1969) HD
Type: Trailer • Published 2012-10-05
Top Cast
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Jane Fonda
Gloria Beatty
Michael Sarrazin
Robert Syverton
Susannah York
Alice LeBlanc
Gig Young
Rocky Gravo
Red Buttons
Sailor
Bonnie Bedelia
Ruby Bates
Michael Conrad
Rollo
Bruce Dern
James Bates
Al Lewis
Turkey
Robert Fields
Joel
Severn Darden
Cecil
Allyn Ann McLerie
Shirl
Madge Kennedy
Mrs. Laydon
Jacquelyn Hyde
Jackie
Felice Orlandi
Mario
Art Metrano
Max
Gail Billings
Lillian
Lynn Willis
Coley James
Release History & Theatrical Window
Cannes Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
December 10, 1969
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Sydney Pollack
- Screenplay & Story
- James Poe, Robert E. Thompson
- Original Score
- Johnny Green
- Original Title
- They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 2h 0m
- Production Studios
- Palomar Pictures International, ABC Pictures, Palomar Pictures, ABC, Winkler Films
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Sydney Pollack
James Poe, Robert E. Thompson, Horace McCoy
Johnny Green
Philip H. Lathrop
Fredric Steinkamp
Theodore B. Sills, Robert Chartoff, Irwin Winkler
Department Leadership Roster
Sydney Pollack
Director
James Poe
Screenplay
Harry Horner
Production Design
Robert E. Thompson
Screenplay
Robert Chartoff
Producer
Irwin Winkler
Producer
Philip H. Lathrop
Director of Photography
Fredric Steinkamp
Editor
Donfeld
Costume Design
Johnny Green
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for They Shoot Horses, Don't They?.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring They Shoot Horses, Don't They?.
North American Cinema
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Letterboxd's Top 500 Films
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Frequently Asked Questions About They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is They Shoot Horses, Don't They? about?
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.
Who directed They Shoot Horses, Don't They??
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? was directed by Sydney Pollack.
Who stars in They Shoot Horses, Don't They??
The principal cast of They Shoot Horses, Don't They? includes Jane Fonda, Michael Sarrazin, Susannah York, Gig Young, Red Buttons.
When was They Shoot Horses, Don't They? released and how long is it?
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? was released in 1969 with a total runtime of 2h 0m.
Who composed the musical score for They Shoot Horses, Don't They??
The original motion picture soundtrack for They Shoot Horses, Don't They? was composed by Johnny Green.
Is They Shoot Horses, Don't They? based on a book or true story?
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Horace McCoy".
What is the age rating and content advisory for They Shoot Horses, Don't They??
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? holds official age classifications: US: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.).