Phar Lap (1983)
Director:
Simon Wincer
Tagline:
« Hero To A Nation »
Actors:
Tommy Woodcock
Harry Telford
Bea Davis
Vi Telford
Dave Davis
Rating:
(2’144 votes)
(2’144 votes)
Quotes:
« Harry Telford: [Last Lines]
« Harry Telford: He wasn't just a horse. He was the best.
»
« Sub Editor: We have two versions ready to go. If he wins, "Australian wonder horse beats the world."
»
« news writer: And if he loses?
»
« Sub Editor: "New Zealand horse fails in Mexico."
»
[First Lines]
« Tommy Woodcock: [talking to the horse, while feeding him] Yeah, you know what's coming up, don't ya? Hang on a minute. Hang on, I've gotta mix it up. That's it. Yeah. You're a good fellow today. You love all that stuff now, don't ya? Crowds and cheering. The bigger the better, eh?
»
Trailer:
Trailer
Runtime:107 minutes
Plots:
The true story of a New Zealand racehorse that became a champion, with the help of a local stable-boy.
Phar Lap, the legendary Australian racing horse, is as well-known today for his mysterious death as for his fabulous accomplishments in life. Beginning at the end, the film flashes back to the day that Phar Lap, despite his lack of pedigree, is purchased on impulse by trainer Harry Telford. Phar Lap loses his first races, but Telford’s faith in the animal is unshakable. Suddenly the horse becomes a winner, thanks to the love and diligence of stableboy Tommy Woodcock. American-promoter Dave Davis arranges for Phar Lap to be entered in several top races, where his “long shot” status results in heavy losses for the professional gamblers. Just after winning an important race in Mexico, Phar Lap collapses and dies; though the film never comes out and says as much, it is assumed that the horse was “murdered” by the gambling interests.
