Sidney Lumet directed this film version of Peter Shaffer's dramatic play, transforming theatrical symbolism into cinematic realism. Richard Burton received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his performance as Martin Dysert, a psychiatrist determined to unravel the disturbed mind of Alan Strang (Peter Firth), a young stableboy. In a fit of rage, Strang has blinded a stable of six horses. The court then assigns Dysert to probe the young man's mind in order to understand why he committed such a violent act. But the doctor, who is battling demons of his own, wonders if he can save the boy--and whether saving him at all is the right thing to do. Joan Plowright stands out as Dora Strang, the young boy's mother.
Richard Burton shines in this powerful adaptation of Peter Shaffer's historic play. Burton plays Martin Dysert, a psychiatrist who struggles to understand one of his patients, Alan Strang, played chillingly by Peter Firth, who, for some seemingly inexplicable reason, blinded six horses. Martin, who wrestles with his own demons, becomes unsure where he stops and the boy's imagination begins. The screenplay was adapted by Shaffer. The film received three Academy Award nominations.
Filmed in Canada.
Both Anthony Perkins and Leonard Nimoy played the part of the psychiatrist on Broadway.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.66
Letterbox - 1.66
Audio:
Mono 1.0 - English
Mono 1.0 - Spanish
Additional Release Material:
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
Director of Photography
Oswald Morris: British DOP - "Lolita", "The Man Who Would Be King"
Writer
Peter Shaffer: Playwright/Screenwriter
Production Designer
Tony Walton: Production/Cost. Designer
Review 1:
"...As good [an adaptation] as one can get on film....Beautifully, almost grandly acted, by Richard Burton..."
Source: New York Times
p.39 10/17/1977
Review 2:
"...Lumet's actors bring plenty of conviction..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.75 10/01/2003
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