Equus

Have never seen the so talked about play but for what it´s worth, I think this film is very well done. The intesity of the main character, Alan, and the way it´s portrayed by Peter Firth, is quite disturbing and sometimes it was kind of hard to keep waching the film (the only film I can remember getting me that feeling is A Clockwork Orange, when I was a teen). Not anyone dares to script something like this, futhermore, not anyone dares to act it. The harsh opinion of some people on a work like this is expected, since most people are afraid to have their sterile brain shaken once in a while. After all, this is a very daring film and it demands a reaction from its audience since it deals mainly, I would say, with passion.

Both Peter Firth and Richard Burton give a lesson on acting that every 20 million hollywood superstar should pay atention too. So, if you want some entertaiment that have a warm feeling and makes feel you good, go see Pirates of the Caribean. Equus has the power to disturb and transfixate its audience, this is truly an art film.

An interesting drama, with an intriguing screenplay full of interesting ideas and with a strikingly mystery element to it, the film is a bit lengthy and drawn out, and there are a few other quirks one may have with it, but it is generally solid stuff. Burton is very good as an ever-questioning doctor, fascinated by his patient for reasons that are beyond what he can grasp. Firth also is strong as a confused young man, and he has quite a bit to do with his role: he plays his character in a mentally disturbed state, under hypnosis, and even credibly as himself at age six in one scene. The film is jarred by its monologues, which cause it to ramble on and become tangled in its philosophies - but the ideas themselves are good. It was adapted from a stage play and perhaps it would have worked better on stage, but even if imperfect, this film version is still an interesting watch.

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.

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.

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.