Everyone has probably seen or heard about the controversy of Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe starring in the 2007 stage version.. but, before the boy wizard got his dick out on stage... there was a film version directed by the legendary Sidney Lumet.
Written by Peter Shaffer in 1973, it is based on the true story of a 17 yr old boy who stabs and blinds 6 horses in a stable. Without knowing any of the backstory to this crime, Shaffer wrote this play to explain why such a young man would commit such an incredibly horrific act.
We meet psychiatrist Martin Dysart (played by Richard Burton), who is assigned by a court magistrate to assess and help out Alan Strang, the young man who did some serious fucking damage to these horses. Through-out the movie, we flash back via some lengthy sessions that delve into Alan's upbringing.
It is revealed that Alan's mother was a religious nutter and have raised him with the belief that sex was a dirty act but that he could find fulfilment in devotion and commitment with god. His father however, an atheist, believes that Alan is spending too much time investing in the bible, especially the violent and graphic content within its pages.
After some hard work in therapy, Dysart finally gets Alan to explain to him his first encounter with a horse... and how his parents ripped him away from this animal that he truly admired. Alan also speaks of the time he met Jill Mason, a young girl who worked in a stable. Jill suggests to her boss that Alan works in the stable and after some time, proves an extremely hard worker; both looking after the horses and keeping the stable extremely clean. He forms a rather close bond with one of the horses, who he names "Nugget" ...
This is when shit starts to get freaky ... Alan starts taking Nugget out for midnight walks ends up riding him bareback and naked, pretending to be a king.. Back in the present day, Dystart gives Alan a truth pill... to finally get to the reason why he blinded those horses.
Jill takes Alan to a erotic cinema, where they watch some nice Swedish material... things are going well until Alan spots his father... apart from the anger and confusion, Alan finally realises that sex is a natural thing for men to do. Jill and Alan head back to the stable to finish off what they were starting at the cinema... The two get freaky until Alan hears the horses below... He begs them for forgiveness; seeing them as God-like figures... He yells at Jill to leave and then starts screaming "THEY SEE YOU... HE SEES YOU... FOREVER..."
Alan heads downstairs and takes a hoof pick and stabs all six horses in the eye!!!
PHEW!!!
This story is mental. Like, heavy shit. Amazingly acted and directed by the incredible Lumet... he takes you right into the lives of all these really deep and evolved characters. Adapted by Shaffer himself from his stage play... the man knows what he's doing. Screen icons Joan Plowright and Eileen Atkins tear some of this dialogue up... but the show really belongs to the performances from 7 time Oscar nominee Richard Burton and Peter Firth (who plays Alan).
I don't know how to really take this film apart... but if you're in the mood for a fucking epic misery fest with some really interesting views of worshipping and religion then this is for you. If you're a horse lover.. it might be a bit awkward for you at the end.
Equus is hard viewing... but certainly fascinating.
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