Running Free (1999)
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27% of critics liked it
(30 reviews) -
66% of users liked it
(1,378 ratings)
Chase Moore and Arie Verveen are the human stars of this period drama about the extraordinary life and times of a horse. In 1914, a German supply ship is en route to Africa with a cargo of work horses when one of the mares gives birth to a foal. The pony is soon separated from his mother when the… More Chase Moore and Arie Verveen are the human stars of this period drama about the extraordinary life and times of a horse. In 1914, a German supply ship is en route to Africa with a cargo of work horses when one of the mares gives birth to a foal. The pony is soon separated from his mother when the ship docks in a mining community, and he has a hard time getting along, but an orphaned boy who works at a stable takes a liking to the little horse and looks after him. When war breaks out, the stable is abandoned and the pony escapes into a nearby desert, where an Oryx antelope and a native girl become his companions and teach him how to survive on his own. Running Free was directed by award-winning Russian filmmaker Sergei Bodrov; it was produced by Jean-Jacques Annaud, who displayed a flair for unusual stories about animals with The Bear. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Sergei Bodrov
- Written By
- Jeanne Rosenberg, Jean-Jacques Annaud
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family
G,
- In Theaters
- Jun 2, 2000 Limited
- Studio
- Columbia Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
This movie might have been more persuasive if the boy had told the story of the horse, instead of the horse telling the story of the boy.
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Louis B. Parks, Houston Chronicle
Saddled with an annoying and extensive narration track, added for fear kids couldn't follow the story without constant guidance.
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John Anderson, Newsday
Saddled with actor Lukas Haas, who delivers a lifeless first-person-or first-horse-narration.
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Monica Eng, Chicago Tribune
Until we really know what animals are thinking, it's probably best to leave talking animal stories in the care of comedic filmmakers.
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Randy White, Common Sense Media
Cruel treatment of horses may upset some kids.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Chase Moore
as Young Richard
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Jan Decleir
as Boss Man
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Maria Geelbooi
as Nyka
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Lukas Haas
as Narrator
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Arie Verveen
as Adult Richard
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Nischa
as Young Lucky
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Macho
as Adult Lucky
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Fat Albert
as Caesar
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Noodle
as Beauty
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Kateefa
as Grey Mare
- Graham Clarke
- Dan Robbertse
- Iluce Kgao
- Morne Visser
- Nicholas Trueb
- Patrick Lyster
- Robin Smith
