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 ...
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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
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Add this copy of Horsemen, the (1971) to cart. $27.77, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2013 by SPE.
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Jack Palance, Leigh Taylor-Young, Omar Sharif. New. Run time: 108. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed! Delivery Confirmation included for all orders in the US.
There is a scene in this movie which illuminates the way people think in Afghanistan because it illustrates baraka. The man from the east asks Omar Sharif's character if he would like to wager on a camel wrestling event. Yes, there is a camel wrestling scene! Sharif's character says yes, he'll bet on whichever camel the man from the east does not bet on. This is because he was not really betting on a camel; he was pitting his own baraka against that of the man from the east. Baraka is more than just luck; it is God's favor. It was implied that the camel that Sharif's character bet on would win because he had God behind him. Now there's a different way of looking at things which is independent of causation. The best thing about this film is that it shows us a different way of life and of thinking. That is a wonderful thing for a movie to be able to do.
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