Running Free (film)
Encyclopedia
Running Free is a 2000
film about a horse born into slavery
during the Great War. The film began production in 1999 and was released in the US in 2000. It was directed by Sergei Bodrov
, written and produced by Jean-Jacques Annaud
and distributed by Columbia Pictures
.
in 1914. A grey Arabian mare
gives birth to a chestnut Arabian foal
during the ship journey to Namibia to work in the copper
mines. The foal is separated from his mother upon arrival at the mining town and nearly dies of starvation
and dehydration
. He is rescued by the town stable boy, Richard. The story is always told from Lucky's point of view as he is the narrator.
Richard allows Lucky to live in the thoroughbred stable much to the resentment of Caeser, the resident stallion and prize horse of the town's owner. Lucky eventually leaves the town upon the death of his mother but returns due to sustaining a snakebite while wandering the desert. Richard medicates the bite with Ceaser's personal medicine. The owner of the town finds out through his spying son who tells him what Richard has done. Richard is then beaten by the town owner for stealing from his horse.
Both Lucky and Richard resolve to leave the town for good on the grounds that nobody would miss them. They decide to look for a hidden lake in the mountains that was mentioned earlier in the film.
While they wander the desert, they encounter a native girl. She shows them how to find eggs under the sand that are filled with water and properly treats Lucky's snake bite.
Richard is forced to return to the mining town the next morning when three biplanes fly overhead and proceed to bomb the town. Richard releases the horses trapped in the stable. He is then dragged to an evacuation train against his will before the train tracks are bombed which would leave the town's inhabitants stranded.
Lucky is left alone in the town. The other horses, especially Caeser treat him with contempt. He decides to leave and find the hidden lake alone. He vows to return one day and vanquish Caeser in the hopes that the other horse's fear of him will be lifted.
After meeting various animals in the desert, Lucky finally finds the lake. The story now shifts to approximately two years later. Lucky returns to the town and wins in a fight against Caeser. The other horses, especially Caeser's daughter, Beauty, whom Lucky befriended as a foal, are joyful at Caeser's downfall and follow Lucky to the lake where they live a happy life as a herd with Lucky as their leader.
Twelve years pass and Richard returns to the town via his own plane to look for Lucky. The town is in disrepair and devoid of life. He proceeds to fly into the desert in search of the lake. He sees the lake from the sky and lands to look for Lucky. Lucky does not recognise the now adult Richard and rears up at him and almost tramples him. Richard then whistles at Lucky. Lucky recognises Richard's whistle and they rekindle their friendship.
2000 in film
The year 2000 in film involved some significant events.The top grosser worldwide was Mission: Impossible II. Domestically in North America, Gladiator won the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor ....
film about a horse born into slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
during the Great War. The film began production in 1999 and was released in the US in 2000. It was directed by Sergei Bodrov
Sergei Bodrov
Sergei Vladimirovich Bodrov is a two-time Academy Award-nominated Russian-American film director, screenwriter, and producer.Bodrov was born in Khabarovsk, Russian SFSR, USSR . In the post-Soviet period he emigrated to the United States. His son, actor Sergei Bodrov, Jr...
, written and produced by Jean-Jacques Annaud
Jean-Jacques Annaud
Jean-Jacques Annaud is a French film director, film producer and screenwriter.- Biography :Annaud was born in Juvisy-sur-Orge, Essonne...
and distributed by Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
.
Plot summary
Running Free takes place primarily in NamibiaNamibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
in 1914. A grey Arabian mare
Mare
Female horses are called mares.Mare is the Latin word for "sea".The word may also refer to:-People:* Ahmed Marzooq, also known as Mare, a footballer and Secretary General of Maldives Olympic Committee* Mare Winningham, American actress and singer...
gives birth to a chestnut Arabian foal
Foal
A foal is an equine, particularly a horse, that is one year old or younger. More specific terms are colt for a male foal and filly for a female foal, but these terms are used until the horse is age three or four. When the foal is nursing from its dam , it may also be called a suckling...
during the ship journey to Namibia to work in the copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
mines. The foal is separated from his mother upon arrival at the mining town and nearly dies of starvation
Starvation
Starvation is a severe deficiency in caloric energy, nutrient and vitamin intake. It is the most extreme form of malnutrition. In humans, prolonged starvation can cause permanent organ damage and eventually, death...
and dehydration
Dehydration
In physiology and medicine, dehydration is defined as the excessive loss of body fluid. It is literally the removal of water from an object; however, in physiological terms, it entails a deficiency of fluid within an organism...
. He is rescued by the town stable boy, Richard. The story is always told from Lucky's point of view as he is the narrator.
Richard allows Lucky to live in the thoroughbred stable much to the resentment of Caeser, the resident stallion and prize horse of the town's owner. Lucky eventually leaves the town upon the death of his mother but returns due to sustaining a snakebite while wandering the desert. Richard medicates the bite with Ceaser's personal medicine. The owner of the town finds out through his spying son who tells him what Richard has done. Richard is then beaten by the town owner for stealing from his horse.
Both Lucky and Richard resolve to leave the town for good on the grounds that nobody would miss them. They decide to look for a hidden lake in the mountains that was mentioned earlier in the film.
While they wander the desert, they encounter a native girl. She shows them how to find eggs under the sand that are filled with water and properly treats Lucky's snake bite.
Richard is forced to return to the mining town the next morning when three biplanes fly overhead and proceed to bomb the town. Richard releases the horses trapped in the stable. He is then dragged to an evacuation train against his will before the train tracks are bombed which would leave the town's inhabitants stranded.
Lucky is left alone in the town. The other horses, especially Caeser treat him with contempt. He decides to leave and find the hidden lake alone. He vows to return one day and vanquish Caeser in the hopes that the other horse's fear of him will be lifted.
After meeting various animals in the desert, Lucky finally finds the lake. The story now shifts to approximately two years later. Lucky returns to the town and wins in a fight against Caeser. The other horses, especially Caeser's daughter, Beauty, whom Lucky befriended as a foal, are joyful at Caeser's downfall and follow Lucky to the lake where they live a happy life as a herd with Lucky as their leader.
Twelve years pass and Richard returns to the town via his own plane to look for Lucky. The town is in disrepair and devoid of life. He proceeds to fly into the desert in search of the lake. He sees the lake from the sky and lands to look for Lucky. Lucky does not recognise the now adult Richard and rears up at him and almost tramples him. Richard then whistles at Lucky. Lucky recognises Richard's whistle and they rekindle their friendship.
Cast
- Young Richard - Chase Moore
- Adult Richard - Arie VerveenArie VerveenArie Verveen is an Irish actor whose recent feature films include appearances in Fire with Fire, the upcoming drama starring Josh Duhamel, Rosario Dawson and Bruce Willis, Across the Hall with Brittany Murphy, and the lead role in Boiler Maker with John Savage.-Biography:Arie Verveen worked season...
- Nyka - Maria Geelbooi
- Boss Man - Jan DecleirJan DecleirJan Decleir is a prolific Belgian movie and stage actor born in Niel, Antwerp .He had his first big role in Fons Rademakers "Mira" and has since then appeared in countless Flemish and Dutch films and tv productions...
- Mine Supervisor - Graham ClarkeGraham ClarkeGraham Clarke is an American musician, songwriter, arranger, and entertainer. Active since 1995 and performing frequently in the New York metropolitan area, Clarke is regarded as one of New York's most popular and long-lasting children's entertainers and recording artists having played well over...
- Officer - Patrick Lyster
- Groom - Morne Visser
- Colonel - Dan J. Robbertse
- Hans the Boss' Son - Nicholas Trueb