IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > Phar Lap (1983)
Photos (see all 5 | slideshow)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   677 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
David Williamson (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Phar Lap on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 August 1984 (USA) more
Tagline:
When he beat the odds, they changed the rules. When he broke the records, they weighed him down. But he had one thing on his side...the faith of a boy. Together they lived a legend that inspired a nation and won the heart of the world. more
Plot:
The true story of a Australian racehorse that becomes a champion with the help of a local stableboy. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
4 wins & 5 nominations more
NewsDesk:
Nocturnal Admissions: Review of Not Quite Hollywood
 (From . 6 October 2009, 10:30 PM, PDT)

User Reviews:
Before there was Seabiscuit there was Phar Lap more (29 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Tom Burlinson ... Tommy Woodcock
Richard Morgan ... 'Cashy' Martin
Robert Grubb ... William Nielsen
Simon Wells ... Newsboy
Kelvyn Worth ... Newsboy
Justin Ridley ... Newsboy
Martin Vaughan ... Harry Telford
Brian Granrott ... Reporter
Celia De Burgh ... Vi Telford
Steven Bannister ... Cappy Telford (Younger)
Richard Terrill ... Cappy Telford (Older)
Ron Leibman ... Dave Davis
Ross O'Donovan ... Strapper
Ashley Grenville ... Strapper
Les Foxcroft ... Brazier Man
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
A Horse Called Phar Lap (USA) (promotional title)
Phar Lap: Heart of a Nation
Phar Lap: Hero to a Nation (Australia) (promotional title)
more
Runtime:
USA:107 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:PG (TV rating) | USA:PG (certificate #27386) | Finland:S | Australia:G

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Tommy Woodcock went on to become a horse trainer. One of his greatest success was Reckless, a horse which won the Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane Cups and finished second in the Melbourne Cup in 1977. Tommy was respected for his training methods and his great love for horses. Tommy and his wife, Emma, had no children but their home was always open to the apprentices that Tommy trained. Tommy Woodcock trained horses until he was 78. He donated several of his personal mementoes of Phar Lap to the Museum of Victoria to go with the Museum's exhibit of Phar Lap's hide. more
Soundtrack:
California, Here I Come more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
8 out of 9 people found the following review useful.
Before there was Seabiscuit there was Phar Lap, 20 October 2003
10/10
Author: sol from Brooklyn NY USA

*****SPOILERS***** True story about the New Zealand wounder horse that nobody wanted at first and that almost no horse could beat in the end.

Phar Lap ran up a string of victories from Australia to the United States that astounded the racing world then and even now it's hard to believe that such a race horse ever existed, he was just that good. like the saying goes: "It too good to be true" but it is. Winning 37 out of 51 races in his racing career with 14 wins in a row between 1930-1931 the only thing that could beat Phar Lap was the crushing weight that local handicappers put on his back to give the other horses racing against him a chance.

In Phar Lap's last race in 1932 he traveled to the United States to race against the best racehorses in the world at the Agua Caliente race track on the Mexican border. It was there for the first time in his life Par Lap raced on dirt not grass where he ran on in all his races and not only won but broke the track and world record for a mile and a quarter doing it. Tragically a month later Phar Lap collapsed and died in his stable.

Moving as well as exciting film about the great Phar Lap with Tom Burlinson excellent as Tommy Woodcock, the young stable boy who was the only one who had any faith in the horses ability and brought the best out of Phar Lap when everyone else gave up on him. With top performances from Ron Leibman and Martin Vaughan as Phar Lap's owner and trainer who over the years with him began to see Phar Lap not as a racehorse but almost human.

One of the most stirring finals you'll ever see in any movie with Phar Lap beating the best there is in the world of horse racing in the Mexican desert at the Agua Caliente race track racing with an injured hoof and carrying a high weight of 129 pounds. Later after the race when Phar lap breaks down and dies the shock and heart felt loss, especially by young Tommy Woodcock, was one of the most touching and moving scenes I've ever seen in any film. You can really see what that horse meant to everyone who had the privilege to be involved with him. Great movie, but what makes it even greater is that the story is unbelievably true.

P.S One more thing about the movie, the part of Phar Lap was played by a horse named Towering Inferno.

Was the above review useful to you?
more (29 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Phar Lap (1983)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Phar Lap purely the greatest horse to grace the racetrack? PharLap4Eva
Real horse--ugly?? No way! waseom
the mafia adamhall17
!!!!!!! THE CHEEKY SODS STOLE PHAR LAP!!! the_mad_oboist
Warning: Spoiler - End of movie at the start? muf-tfc
Phar Lap on DVD?? ppremo
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Black Stallion Silks and Saddles Speed to Burn Chariots of Fire The Great Dan Patch
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Biography section IMDb Australia section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.