September 30th: THE HORSE WHISPERER (Robert Redford, 1998)
NOTE: This film will be projected in the high-definition Blu-ray format.
After a tragic riding accident, a high-strung New York editor takes her daughter and horse to Montana to seek the aid of a man she believes can repair the damaged relations between the two.
Robert Redford was one of Hollywood's biggest stars in the late 1960s and throughout the 70s, but carefully chose his projects, seeking out material with substance and talent behind the camera. He began producing some of these films, and founded the Sundance Institute and Sundance Film Festival in the early 1980s. His directing debut Ordinary People won him Academy Awards for Best Picture and Direction.
Redford continue to act between his directorial efforts, but did not appear in one of his own films until 1998 with The Horse Whisperer, adapted from a best-selling novel (though the rights had been purchased prior to publication). He was likely drawn to the story's Montana setting and city vs. country themes, having explored the American West in several previous films.
The cast includes British actress Kristin Scott Thomas (fresh off her success with The English Patient), Sam Neill (Jurassic Park), Dianne Wiest (Hannah And Her Sisters), Chris Cooper, and a breakout starring role for the young Scarlett Johansson.
The film was shot on location in various locations in Montana and New York state. Behind the camera was Robert Richardson, known primarily for working on all of Oliver Stone's films (JFK, Natural Born Killers). The film is presented in the standard 1.85:1 aspect ratio before opening up to 2.35:1 cinemascope once the story reaches Montana.
Consulting on the film as well as doing stunts for Redford's character was Buck Brannaman, known for his work in "natural horsemanship", and one of the inspirations for the character in the source novel. He was later the subject of the 2011 documentary Buck.
Released to mostly positive reviews, the film surprisingly became one of Redford's biggest box office hits, yet did not gain much awards traction aside from Golden Globe nominations for Picture and Direction.
Running time is 2 hrs, 45 min.
After a tragic riding accident, a high-strung New York editor takes her daughter and horse to Montana to seek the aid of a man she believes can repair the damaged relations between the two.
Robert Redford was one of Hollywood's biggest stars in the late 1960s and throughout the 70s, but carefully chose his projects, seeking out material with substance and talent behind the camera. He began producing some of these films, and founded the Sundance Institute and Sundance Film Festival in the early 1980s. His directing debut Ordinary People won him Academy Awards for Best Picture and Direction.
Redford continue to act between his directorial efforts, but did not appear in one of his own films until 1998 with The Horse Whisperer, adapted from a best-selling novel (though the rights had been purchased prior to publication). He was likely drawn to the story's Montana setting and city vs. country themes, having explored the American West in several previous films.
The cast includes British actress Kristin Scott Thomas (fresh off her success with The English Patient), Sam Neill (Jurassic Park), Dianne Wiest (Hannah And Her Sisters), Chris Cooper, and a breakout starring role for the young Scarlett Johansson.
The film was shot on location in various locations in Montana and New York state. Behind the camera was Robert Richardson, known primarily for working on all of Oliver Stone's films (JFK, Natural Born Killers). The film is presented in the standard 1.85:1 aspect ratio before opening up to 2.35:1 cinemascope once the story reaches Montana.
Consulting on the film as well as doing stunts for Redford's character was Buck Brannaman, known for his work in "natural horsemanship", and one of the inspirations for the character in the source novel. He was later the subject of the 2011 documentary Buck.
Released to mostly positive reviews, the film surprisingly became one of Redford's biggest box office hits, yet did not gain much awards traction aside from Golden Globe nominations for Picture and Direction.
Running time is 2 hrs, 45 min.
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