A reverential and somewhat bumpy film adaptation. Shaffer adapted his own gripping play about a young man, Alan Strang (Firth), who is inexplicably compelled to blind horses. Burton is Dr. Martin Dysart, the psychiatrist who realizes that Alan's religious fervor is the key to the mystery.
Alan's devout mother, Dora Strang (Plowright), has supplied the confused youth with a thwarted view of life that has resulted in his behavior. The court appoints Dr. Dysart to get to the bottom of the reasons for Alan's deeds and he learns much about himself in the process.
This is a fairly convincing rendition of a real psychiatrist-patient relationship. Burton confirms his st...
Released:
1977
Rated:
R
Length:
137 mins