Equus (1977)
Sidney Lumet's searing psychological drama confronts obsession, faith, and the unsettling cost of sanity through one psychiatrist's most troubling case.
Equus - Movie Information
- Original Title: Equus
- Release Year: 1977
- Directed by: Sidney Lumet
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 17m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 16, 1977 (United States - R), October 20, 1977 (United Kingdom - 15)
- Production Companies: United Artists, Persky-Bright Productions, Winkast Film Productions
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
Equus - Plot
A psychiatrist, Martin Dysart, investigates the savage blinding of six horses with a metal spike in a stable in Hampshire, England. The atrocity was committed by an unassuming seventeen-year-old stable boy named Alan Strang, the only son of an opinionated but inwardly-timid father and a genteel, religious mother. As Dysart exposes the truths behind the boy's demons, he finds himself face-to-face with his own.
Equus - Trailer
Watch the official trailer for this landmark psychological drama:
I am yours and you are mine.
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Equus - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Sidney Lumet
Main Cast
- Richard Burton
- Peter Firth
- Joan Plowright
- Harry Andrews
- Colin Blakely
- Eileen Atkins
- Jenny Agutter
- Kate Reid
- John Wyman
- Elva Mai Hoover
Writers
- Peter Shaffer
Producers
- Lester Persky
- Elliott Kastner
Equus - FAQs
What is Equus (1977) about?
Equus follows psychiatrist Martin Dysart as he investigates why a seventeen-year-old stable boy named Alan Strang savagely blinded six horses. As Dysart uncovers the boy's deeply rooted religious and erotic obsession with horses, he is forced to question his own sense of purpose and passion.
Is Equus based on a true story?
Equus is based on Peter Shaffer's acclaimed 1973 stage play, which was itself inspired by a real incident Shaffer heard about involving a boy who blinded horses in a stable. Shaffer never learned the full details and constructed the psychological drama largely from his own imagination.
Who are the main actors in Equus?
Equus stars Richard Burton as psychiatrist Martin Dysart and Peter Firth as the troubled stable boy Alan Strang. The supporting cast includes Joan Plowright, Colin Blakely, Eileen Atkins, Jenny Agutter, Harry Andrews, and Kate Reid.
Did Equus win any awards?
Yes. Peter Firth received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, and Richard Burton was nominated for Best Actor as well — a rare double nomination for the same film. The film also earned nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film Editing at the 1978 Academy Awards.
Where can I watch Equus online?
Streaming availability for Equus varies by region and changes over time. You can check the most up-to-date viewing options, including rental, purchase, and subscription platforms available in your country, on JustWatch.
What is the age rating for Equus?
Equus is rated R in the United States. The film contains mature psychological themes, nudity, and disturbing content related to violence against animals and the exploration of a young man's erotic and religious obsessions, making it suitable for adult audiences only.
What does the ending of Equus mean?
The ending of Equus is deliberately ambiguous and deeply philosophical. Dysart succeeds in 'curing' Alan but is left tormented, questioning whether stripping away the boy's passionate — if destructive — inner world replaces it with something lesser. The film asks whether normalcy is worth the cost of losing one's intensity.
Who directed Equus and who wrote the screenplay?
Equus was directed by Sidney Lumet, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Network and Dog Day Afternoon. The screenplay was written by Peter Shaffer, who adapted his own landmark 1973 stage play for the screen, preserving much of the theatrical structure and dialogue.
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