Running Free (film)
Running Free | |
---|---|
Directed by | Sergei Bodrov |
Screenplay by | Jeanne Rosenberg |
Story by | Jeanne Rosenberg Jean-Jacques Annaud |
Produced by | Jean-Jacques Annaud |
Starring |
|
Cinematography | Dan Laustsen |
Edited by | Ray Lovejoy |
Music by | Nicola Piovani |
Production company | Columbia Pictures
Moonlighting Films |
Distributed by | Sony Pictures Releasing[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 85 minutes |
Countries | France South Africa United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $30 million [2] |
Box office | $117,608 [3] |
Running Free is a 2000 adventure drama film about a horse born into captivity in 1914. The film began production in 1998 and was released in the US in June 2000. It was directed by Sergei Bodrov, written and produced by Jean-Jacques Annaud, narrated by Lukas Haas, and distributed by Columbia Pictures.
Plot summary
The film takes place primarily in
Richard allows Lucky to live in the thoroughbred stable - much to the resentment of Caesar, resident stallion and the prize horse of a wealthy colonial resident. Lucky is finally reunited with his mother, but she is killed by Caesar, furious that a workhorse has trespassed into his stable. Lucky wanders away from the town upon the death of his mother but returns after being struck by a desert snake. Richard treats the bite with Caesar's personal medication, but Richard is caught by 8-year-old boy named Hans (Nicholas Trueb) despite being threatened with grave consequences from the latter's vengeful master (Jan Decleir). After being savagely punished, the duo depart to seek a much-sought oasis in the nearby mountains.
Alone in the
Back at the camp, Lucky is repelled by Caesar and the other horses who treat him with contempt. He sets off for the oasis once more, vowing to beat Caesar one day. After making the acquaintance of several exotic animals in the desert, Lucky finally stumbles upon the hidden oasis. Two years later, he returns, defeats Caesar, and leads the remaining horses to the water.
Another twelve years pass with Lucky presiding over his new herd before a 26-year-old Richard (Arie Verveen) returns to South-West Africa, now a South African mandate. He finds the mining town deserted and flies into the desert searching for the oasis, which can be glimpsed from the sky. Upon landing, Richard stumbles upon the horses and is nearly killed by Lucky who attacks him. However, the latter soon recognizes his friend's unique whistle and the two rekindle their relationship. The movie ends with Lucky leading the herd through the Namib desert for the herd live for centuries.
Cast
- Chase Moore as Young Richard
- Arie Verveen as Richard
- Maria Geelbooi as Nyka
- Jan Decleir as Boss Man
- Graham Clarke as Mine Supervisor
- Patrick Lyster as Officer
- Morne Visser as Groom
- Dan J. Robbertse as Colonel
- Nicholas Trueb as Hans, The Boss' Son
- Lukas Haas as The Narrator Lucky
Filming
The film was directed by
Reception
The film received generally negative reviews from critics. A New York Times review of the film was unenthusiastic, saying the film "vacillates between cutesy
References
- ^ "Running Free (2000)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ https://bombreport.com/yearly-breakdowns/2000-2/running-free/
- ^ https://bombreport.com/yearly-breakdowns/2000-2/running-free/
- ^ New York Times. Archived from the originalon December 20, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
- ^ Ebert, Roger (June 2, 2000). "Running Free". Ebert Digital. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
- ^ "Running Free (1999)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
External links
- Running Free at IMDb
- Running Free at Box Office Mojo