Equus (film)

Equus
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Sidney Lumet
Screenplay by	Peter Shaffer
Based on	Equus by Peter Shaffer
Produced by	Elliott Kastner Lester Persky
Starring	Richard Burton Peter Firth Jenny Agutter Joan Plowright Colin Blakely
Cinematography	Oswald Morris
Edited by	John Victor-Smith
Music by	Richard Rodney Bennett
Production company	Winkast Film Productions
Distributed by	United Artists
Release dates	14 October 1977 (1977-10-14) (UK) 19 October 1977 (1977-10-19) (US)
Running time	137 minutes
Countries	United Kingdom United States
Language	English
Budget	$4 million[1]

Equus is a 1977 psychological drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Peter Shaffer, based on his 1973 play of the same name. The film stars Richard Burton, Peter Firth, Colin Blakely, Joan Plowright, Harry Andrews, Eileen Atkins, Kate Reid and Jenny Agutter. The story concerns a psychiatrist treating a teenager who has blinded horses in a stable, attempting to find the root of his horse worship.

Lumet's translation of the acclaimed play to a cinematic version incorporated some realism, in the use of real horses as opposed to human actors, and a graphic portrayal of the blinding. Despite some criticism of this approach, the film received positive reviews for the performances of the cast.

The film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Burton, Best Supporting Actor for Firth. The two both won Golden Globe Awards for their performances. The film was also nominated for four BAFTA Awards, with Jenny Agutter winning for Best Supporting Actress.