Equus (1977)

63% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
76% of users liked it
(3,539 ratings)

Richard Burton plays a psychiatrist who attempts to discover why young Peter Firth has taken to mutilating live horses. In probing Firth's psyche, Burton discovers that the source of the boy's obsession is his mother, Joan Plowright, who has raised Firth with a convoluted set of values. Even as he… More Richard Burton plays a psychiatrist who attempts to discover why young Peter Firth has taken to mutilating live horses. In probing Firth's psyche, Burton discovers that the source of the boy's obsession is his mother, Joan Plowright, who has raised Firth with a convoluted set of values. Even as he gets closer to the reason behind Firth's horrendous acts, Burton discovers many previously locked-away secrets within himself. Equus was based on the play by Peter Schaffer who received an Academy Award Nomination for his adapted screenplay. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 17 min.
Directed By: Sidney Lumet
Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1977 Wide
On DVD: Mar 4, 2003
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A compelling thriller.
Richard T. Jameson, Parallax View
Sidney Lumet was just the right director for Equus, and just the wrong one.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Thanks Sidney.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The acting of Richard Burton and Peter Firth in their Oscar-nominated turns is good, but writer Shaffer and Sidney Lumet can't open up the play, which on screen seems too verbose and pretentious with its philosophical issues.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Pretty much fails as film; the play's really the thing
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
An illuminating parable about the human condition, giving voice to the yearning we all have for some kind of religious experience.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
he center of the film is still grandiose acting and tons of over-reaching self-revelation, and it ends up feeling awkward and unsteady on the screen

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Interesting, well acted but extremely grim. There's the feeling that a good deal of subtext was removed because of the times in which it was made. A prime candidate for a remake.
Alice S

Peter Firth's performance definitely beat Daniel Radcliffe's one-note angst, but as a film, I don't think the story works. The climactic scenes (orgasm on Nugget, blinding of horses) contained within the cinematic frame lost much of the stage production's frenetic… More
Peter Firth's performance definitely beat Daniel Radcliffe's one-note angst, but as a film, I don't think the story works. The climactic scenes (orgasm on Nugget, blinding of horses) contained within the cinematic frame lost much of the stage production's frenetic chaos. Didn't dig the breaking of the fourth wall either. Seemed like an uninspired choice.
Mike T

An unnerving, intellectual character piece whose powerfully disturbing nature outweighs its small flaws. The acting from everyone involved in this film is excellent, particularly Burton and Firth in the demanding lead roles. Sidney Lumet's direction, apart from a few debatably… More
An unnerving, intellectual character piece whose powerfully disturbing nature outweighs its small flaws. The acting from everyone involved in this film is excellent, particularly Burton and Firth in the demanding lead roles. Sidney Lumet's direction, apart from a few debatably unsucessful choices, is very strong and fills the film with the eerie tone it requires.