RUNNING FREE – DVD MovieSet in northern Africa at the beginning of World War I, this unusual movie is narrated by a horse, voiced by Lukas Haas (Witness). While the gambit works for the most part, let’s face it, some sentences (“I had to find my place in the world”) just sound silly coming from equine lips. Lucky, as he will be called, is born on an African-bound ship but is separated from his mother when the horses swim for shore and the new colt simply can’t keep up. While mom and the rest of the gang are to work in the mines, Lucky is discovered by a young orphan who works as a stable hand. The mother-son pair are briefly reunited, but the stable’s stallion, Caesar, fatally injures her. The high-born Caesar also prevents his own foal, Beauty, from seeing Lucky and eventually forces the colt out on his own. The dour indignities heaped upon this horse, including a heart-wrenching parting with the boy, last for about an hour of this 78-minute movie before events begin to shift and Lucky is able to live up to his name. Although the movie is rated G, horse death, graphic fighting, and cruelty toward the boy might be overwhelming to young or sensitive children. For mature schoolchildren and older kids. –Kimberly Heinrichs
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December 9, 2010
#1
A Triumph of Spirit,
An inspiring tale of a young colt named Lucky who endures much tragedy — separation from his mother, war and isolation– before gathering the courage to roam free in the grueling African desert. Anyone who has ever pondered an animal’s point of view will greatly appreciate Lukas Haas’ narration as the inquisitive voice of Lucky. The pure and, ultimately, triumphant views of this sensitive equine are truly thought-provoking in a world where animals are often discarded. The sweeping cinematography of the African desert is stunning and, at times, reminiscent of “Lawrence of Arabia”. The supporting cast is outstanding, especially Chase Moore as the young boy who strikes up an everlasting friendship with Lucky. Overall, “Running Free” is a beautiful film which touts the triumph of good over evil, and the persistence of will which allows the underdog to prevail. A word of caution to parents: a frightening war scene and a pair of violent horse fights may be too intense for young children. Otherwise, a highly recommended movie.
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|December 9, 2010
#2
My kids loved it!,
My six year old son is a horse lover, so we knew he would like the movie, but we didn’t realize that he’d beg to see it over and over, for days. Afterwards, he and his younger brother would pretend they were the horses in the movie, and prance around the house with joy. My wife an I watched it a few times with them and thought it was great too; beautifully filmed.
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|December 9, 2010
#3
Unexpected Pleasure!,
Caught this unexpected pleasure, on a motel room T.V.. It is a rare, fasinating, high quality Cinematography, educational for all ages, and a highly unusual “inside” look into a horse’s world! I’m ordering one for Doc Beeman, who is a world known equine vet,and the rest as gifts to myself, and grandchildren.
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