horse racing in film (LINK)
April 24th 2008 09:25
Horse racing is seldom successfully reproduced in film. Unlike the fun and mystery of a Dick Francis novel, most of what is presented on the screen suffers from lack of reality. How many times have we watched the hero horse circle the field with relentless strides to victory; only to note that all the jockeys riding the other horses have their legs thrust forward, the brakes firmly on, and horses under restraint reefing for more rein. You could imagine the steward’s report. And the suspensions.
If only we could intersperse fiction with actual footage of a Melbourne Cup. If only we had sent Glenn Boss around with camera strapped to his skull cap as he commanded a path to victory on Makybe Diva (so reminiscent of the scene from The Ten Commandments when Charlton Heston, as Moses, parted the Red Sea). I didn’t mind (too much) the film made about Phar Lap. It can only be a matter of time before a movie is made about the exploits of Makybe Diva (I hear that a movie may also be made about Takeover Target. Now that is an amazing rags to riches story).
I quite enjoyed the recent film made about Seabiscuit. I will always (it seems) have qualms about the racing scenes (refer back to camera on skull cap), but I forgive that if the story is interesting.
Melbourne hosts one of the races from the circus of Formula One Grand Prix. I have never been to the race in person, but I do briefly watch the television coverage and enjoy (for a minute or so) the view from the camera (or cameras) placed within the racing cars. Better to feel the sensation of speed in tandem with the driver, rather than watching cars (at a distance) follow the leader in (mostly) boring procession. Can you imagine the sensation if one or more jockeys were fitted with micro-cameras!
I think my favourite horse racing film would have to be Champions, a 1984 movie starring a young John Hurt as English jumps jockey Bob Champion (convenient surname I know). A true story that is stranger than fiction about a jockey fighting cancer who teams together with an unlikely horse (Aldaniti) to win the 1981 Grand National Steeplechase. Quite an emotional journey (and I seem to remember that the racing scenes are well done). I recommend this film not only to lovers of the thoroughbred, but for everyone who enjoys a stirring and emotional tale of courage.
And of course there will always be The Marx Brothers and A Day At The Races. Like the abstract, and the absurd, the racing scenes are totally unrealistic; but oh so enjoyable.
If only we could intersperse fiction with actual footage of a Melbourne Cup. If only we had sent Glenn Boss around with camera strapped to his skull cap as he commanded a path to victory on Makybe Diva (so reminiscent of the scene from The Ten Commandments when Charlton Heston, as Moses, parted the Red Sea). I didn’t mind (too much) the film made about Phar Lap. It can only be a matter of time before a movie is made about the exploits of Makybe Diva (I hear that a movie may also be made about Takeover Target. Now that is an amazing rags to riches story).
I quite enjoyed the recent film made about Seabiscuit. I will always (it seems) have qualms about the racing scenes (refer back to camera on skull cap), but I forgive that if the story is interesting.
Melbourne hosts one of the races from the circus of Formula One Grand Prix. I have never been to the race in person, but I do briefly watch the television coverage and enjoy (for a minute or so) the view from the camera (or cameras) placed within the racing cars. Better to feel the sensation of speed in tandem with the driver, rather than watching cars (at a distance) follow the leader in (mostly) boring procession. Can you imagine the sensation if one or more jockeys were fitted with micro-cameras!
I think my favourite horse racing film would have to be Champions, a 1984 movie starring a young John Hurt as English jumps jockey Bob Champion (convenient surname I know). A true story that is stranger than fiction about a jockey fighting cancer who teams together with an unlikely horse (Aldaniti) to win the 1981 Grand National Steeplechase. Quite an emotional journey (and I seem to remember that the racing scenes are well done). I recommend this film not only to lovers of the thoroughbred, but for everyone who enjoys a stirring and emotional tale of courage.
And of course there will always be The Marx Brothers and A Day At The Races. Like the abstract, and the absurd, the racing scenes are totally unrealistic; but oh so enjoyable.
Champions (starring John Hurt)
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