Equus
(1977)
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Sidney Lumet directed this film version of Peter Shaffer's dramatic play, transforming theatrical symbolism into cinematic realism. Richard Burton received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his performance as Martin Dysert, a psychiatrist determined to unravel the disturbed mind of Alan Strang (Peter Firth), a young stableboy. In a fit of rage, Strang has blinded a stable of six horses. The court then assigns Dysert to probe the young man's mind in order to understand why he committed such a violent act. But the doctor, who is battling demons of his own, wonders if he can save the boy--and whether saving him at all is the right thing to do. Joan Plowright stands out as Dora Strang, the young boy's mother. |
Peter Shaffer's powerful play — about a boy whose repressed emotions lead him to blind six horses — was so acclaimed that it was inevitable it would become a film. However, this is very much a theatrical piece, and the set pieces that work so well on stage lose much of their impact on screen. For example, the long speeches delivered by psychiatrist Richard Burton hold theatre audiences spellbound, but here seem as flatly staged as a party political broadcast. Peter Firth is clearly in awe of Burton, and director Sidney Lumet has too much respect for the text.
Halliwell's Film Guide
Overlong film version of a play which was a succès d'estime; it makes the fatal mistake of showing the tragic events realistically instead of stylistically as was done on the stage, and as a study in abnormal psychology it is scarcely gripping or r