The Horsemen (1970)

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(242 ratings)

Director John Frankenheimer, extrapolating from his earlier films The Gypsy Moths and Grand Prix, examines machismo and how men test themselves to the limits of endurance in The Horsemen. The film takes place in modern day Afghanistan. Uraz (Omar Sharif), the son of Tursen (Jack Palance), the stable… More Director John Frankenheimer, extrapolating from his earlier films The Gypsy Moths and Grand Prix, examines machismo and how men test themselves to the limits of endurance in The Horsemen. The film takes place in modern day Afghanistan. Uraz (Omar Sharif), the son of Tursen (Jack Palance), the stable master for a feudal lord, is a master horseman who lives by a primitive code of honor. Uruz's family honor is damaged when he breaks his leg playing the game which is the Afghani equivalent of polo. His father, who lost a lot of money betting on his son, will barely speak to him. To regain the family honor (and wealth) he must somehow re-learn how to ride -- after his injuries cost him his leg below the knee. In the face of great obstacles, and despite the derision and treachery of others, he gains the chance to play in the games given by the king of Afghanistan. The footage of the horsemanship in these dangerous and anarchic games is one of the real highlights of this film. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 49 min.
Directed By: John Frankenheimer, Jonas Åkerlund
Written By: Dalton Trumbo
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 31, 1971 Wide
On DVD: Dec 2, 2003

Critic Reviews

Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
The remastered print provided on The Horsemen DVD is gorgeous.
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
There is little balance given to the Afghan people shown here.
Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central
The Horsemen takes its rightful place, if gawkily so, among Frankenheimer's best films

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Cast

            Omar Sharif as Uraz

            Leigh Taylor-Young as Zereh

            Jack Palance as Tursen

            Peter Jeffrey as Hayatal

            Mohammed Shamsi as Osman Bey

            Ishaq Bux as Amjad Kahn

            Carlos Casaravilla as Messenger

            David de Keyser as Mukhi

            Vernon Dobtcheff as Zam Hajji

            Saeed Jaffrey as District Chief

            Leon Lissek as Chikana Proprietor

            George Murcell as Mizrar

            Ricardo Palacios as Ghulam

            Eric Pohlmann as Merchant Of Kandahar

            Milton Reid as Aqqul

            John Ruddock as Scribe

            Tom Tryon
            
            Alan Webb as Gardi Gay

            Jose Luis Chinchilla as Head Syce

            Mark Colleano as Rahim

            Despo Diamantidou as Uljan

            Salmaan Peer as Salih

            Jesus Tordesillas as Little Governor

            Aziz Resh as Bacha to Ghulam

            Sy Temple as Quadir

            Mohammad Shamsi
            
See full cast