Equus

one of Richard Burton splendid roles. the convincing performance of Peter Firth. a good play. short, one of movies who remains a web of questions, emotions, stains of feelings because it is a kind of descent in yourself. sure, many critics , result of nostalgia for play adaptation on stage. but it is not a version. only a precise film inspired by the Schaffer universe. the director does an admirable work first for refuse of confrontation with the text. it is a splendid exploration of details and a fight between two manners to discover life. it is a precise construction using few extraordinaries images. a film about lost and axis of life, about values and need to escape from a fake image of world. it is necessary to see it. not only for acting - it is beautiful at whole. not for subject - it could be not new. but for the grace of details. and for the pillars- questions who can give another nuance , for two hours to an ordinary day.

It's usually girls that have a fixation on horses, but this particular affliction also affects Peter Firth.

Sidney Lumet adds this version of Peter Schaffer's play to his list of memorable theatrical adaptations while Richard Burton earns his reputation breaching the third wall to provide the glue that holds the film together and was duly rewarded with several awards (including an Oscar nomination).

The orange-tinted scene in the barn where Jenny Agutter slips out of her jodhpurs and on to her back provides an unexpected thrill unfortunately blighted (SPOILER COMING:) by the truly shocking sight that immediately follows.

I loved this movie so much, I found a copy of the play online, bought it, and read it with glee. It's a beautiful, complicated film -- definitely a must see. What I especially liked was the way the movie handled religion and insanity. Is curing someone of their mental illness taking away their religion? Is psychiatry a "cult of the normal"?

Richard Burton delivers hypnotic sermons, staring straight into the camera, as we slowly zoom in on his face. He confesses that he's jealous of his patient. The boy is in pain, but passion is pain. The boy is worshiping a pagan god -- something Burton wishes he could do as well. Instead, he settles for flipping through books, looking at photographs of old artifacts. The therapist wonders if he's taking the boy's god away by curing him.

If you like Carl Jung, you'll love this film! Equus, archetypal God, we love you!

Some complain that the psychology in this film is "campy" at best. Others say the film can't possibly compare to the stage play. Well, fine. Maybe it shouldn't be used as a model for treating patients, and maybe plays are different than movies. But the film as a piece of art, on its own, is powerful, moving, and fascinating.

I want people watch this film with an open mind but they have to be mature and understanding. Alan Strang is disturbed young man who has a disturbed fascination with horses. He places them in the godlike category. His relationship only gets worse when he works at a stable barn. There, he has almost a bestial relationship with the animals there. When he finally confronts a relationship with a fellow stable girl played nicely by Jenny Agutter. When he feels watched and betrays his god, he commits the most disturbing crime. Warning, this film is not for children or some adults with weak stomachs. There is full nudity of both Firth and Agutter in the movie. There also wonderful performances by Dame Eileen Atkins and Dame Joan Plowright in this film.

This is Richard Burton's most powerful performance. It his his story that gives the movie's its narration. Although this is the story of Peter Firth's character and his struggle with his love and connection with horses, it is Burton's power that makes this movie deep. Anyone in the field of psychology and / or therapy needs to watch this movie. It is a story of ones search of meaning and redemption. Somewhat hard to understand at times, this is more than a story about a young man and his confusion with life and his beliefs. Jenny Agutter is once again pure eye candy. To say she is Posh is beyond fact. Although she has a limited role, her time spent on screen is great. Each time she appears, she lights up the screen with her beauty. Still, it is the power of Burton and Firth that makes this drama somewhat of a masterpiece.