Phar Lap
Tags: tragedy, depressing, flashback

Plot synopsis:
Phar Lap, known affectionately as "Bobby" by his strapper Tommy Woodcock (Burlinson), collapses and dies in Woodcock's arms, at Menlo Park in California, in 1932. The news is greeted with great sadness and anger in Australia. The remainder of the film is done as flashback.
Five years earlier, Phar Lap arrives in Australia, purchased for ₤168 sight unseen from New Zealand. His trainer Harry Telford (Martin Vaughan), his wife Vi (Celia De Burgh) and young son Cappy watch as he's lowered onto the wharf by sling. Mrs Telford comments that she "wonders what his (Telford's) American friend (owner David Davis (Leibman)) will think?". Davis is not impressed with the underweight, wart-ridden colt, calling him a cross between a Sheep dog and a Kangaroo, and orders Telford to sell him immediately. Telford protests, saying that the horse's pedigree is exceptional, with Carbine "The greatest horse of them all" on both sides of his bloodlines. Davis agrees to lease him to Telford for three years, keeping only one third of the winnings, though Telford must pay for his upkeep and keep his (Davis) name out of it.
As Phar Lap is brought into the stables, he and Woodcock form a strong bond. After Telford works Phar Lap hard in the sand dunes, the young strapper finds him exhausted in his stable and immediately goes to Telford's home and complains about how hard he works the horse saying that "he looked half dead", causing Telford to sack him. However, Telford is soon forced to reinstate Woodcock when Phar Lap stops eating and won't let anyone near him without ripping the shirt from their back.
Phar Lap fails badly in his first few races, but Woodcock educates the horse by holding him back in trackwork, sensing that he likes to come from behind, though Telford takes the credit telling Davis that he has "knocked that lazy streak out of him at last". After convincing Davis to pay the ₤30 entry fee, this pays off at the 1929 AJC Derby run at the Randwick Racecourse in Sydney. The film shows this as Phar Lap's first win although his first was actually six months earlier in the RRC Maiden Juvenile Handicap at Sydney's other main racecourse Rosehill. The win saves Phar Lap from being sold and the winnings, ₤7,135 (⅓ of which went to Davis) saves Telford from bankruptcy.
As the Great Depression bites, Phar Lap wins every race he enters. Davis attempts to capitalise on his success through shady betting schemes with known gambling identity Eric Connolly (John Stanton), something Telford wants no part of. In preparation for the Melbourne Cup, the premier race in Australia, Davis pressures Telford to scratch Phar Lap from the Caulfield Cup, to maximise Davis's betting returns. Under great financial pressure, Telford reluctantly agrees. As Woodcock walks the horse back from track work, someone tries to shoot the horse in the street. Woodcock and Phar Lap go into hiding at a stud farm outside Melbourne, arriving at Flemington Racecourse at the very last minute for the 1930 Melbourne Cup. Phar Lap wins, ridden by champion jockey Jim Pike (James Steele). In the 1931 Cup, the VRC, led by its Chairman Lachlan McKinnon (Vincent Ball), imposes an unprecedented weight of 10 st 10 lb (68 kg), "to better horse racing" and refuses to allow Davis to scratch his horse. Phar Lap surges to the lead but fades and finishes eighth, and the racing authorities face jeering crowds. The horse is now back under Davis's control, after the three-year agreement runs out. Davis then offers half of Phar Lap's ownership to Telford for ₤20,000, for which Telford refuses. Telford then has a hoof injury faked on the horse and hoodwinks Davis into thinking that the Red Terror is lame and agreeing to sell the half share for only ₤4,000. Davis realises he's been had when Phar lap easily wins his next race.
After the 1931 Melbourne Cup, Davis is approached by Jim Crofton (Roger Newcombe) about racing Phar Lap in the Agua Caliente Handicap at the Agua Caliente Racetrack in Tijuana, Mexico. Davis, knowing that the horse would never be allowed to race fairly in Australia while being so heavily weighted and also knowing that Weight for Age races offered less prize money, agree's but has to convince Telford its worthwhile. Telford initially disagrees citing Australia's Quarantine Laws, but reluctantly agrees after Davis convinces him of the financial windfall if Phar Lap wins. Telford, saying that it has brought him "nothing but trouble" refuses to go himself, preferring to concentrate on his new stud and stables at Braeside, south of Melbourne and promotes Woodcock to be Phar Lap's trainer knowing the horse wouldn't do anything without Woodcock there with him. Also traveling with Phar Lap are 'Cashy' Martin (Richard Morgan) as his new strapper, Veterinarian Bill Nielsen (Robert Grubb) and jockey Billy Elliot (Paul Riley).
After Arriving in the United States, Davis is forced to confront Crofton after finding that the races purse has been halved from US$100,000 to $50,000. Woodcock soon clashes with Davis over the new trainers softer methods and sometimes non-cooperative ways, including taking Phar Lap away from a press conference and back to his stable before the conference was finished. When questioned by Crofton about sacking Woodcock, Davis explains that "If I did the goddamn horse would sit in his stall for the next month and cry". Woodcock also doesn't listen to advice about different horse shoes to suit the different track surface and Phar Lap badly cracks his front right hoof further hampering his preparation for the big race. Before the race word gets out that some jockeys may have been bribed to keep him boxed into the rails during the race not allowing him to win and keep gamblers from losing large amounts of money so Davis instructs Billy Elliot to lead from the start. Behind Davis' back, Woodcock immediately counters this by telling Elliot to run Phar Lap's normal race of starting slow and finishing fast. Using Woodcock's advice (which initially angers Davis), Phar Lap wins the Agua Caliente Handicap in Mexico, blood streaming from a split hoof. He dies soon after, in suspicious circumstances.

Review: A good horse racing story - especially if it's based on real life -  usually gets my attention and this is no exception.
Phar Lap was a  famous New Zealand race horse.
However, the star of the movie, outside of the horse, is Tom Burlinson,  the best friend Phar Lap ever had and the only likable male in the  film.
In summary, a nice story of a horse who triumphs despite a greedy  trainer and owner who overwork the animal....at least according to the  movie.
*****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.
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.
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.
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..
For ANYone out there who is: A) an avid horse racing fan B) loves remarkable storiesor C) doesn't need an "all-star" cast to recognize a great film/story.Phar Lap is great.
Phar Lap is a wonderful story!!.
I believe that Phar Lap was the worlds greatest race horse.
You couldn't help but to fall in love with the wonderful little horse and I found myself rooting for him every time he raced.
The best part about it is that it's based on the true story of a horse named Phar Lap, which means lightning in Chinese.
He started training and running at lighting speed and before long and was taken to the tracks to race against the two top horses in Australia.....where he won by a landslide!
He proved to be unbeatable, even with the record breaking weight the Australian Horse Racing Association made him run with.
If you love horses, or you even like them a little, then see this movie and it will change your perspective on horses forever!
Based on a true story, it made me want to go and do a little research on the real Phar Lap. Your emotions will span the scale while you watch this movie.
so far.....best horse movie made.....
As a legend in Australia, Phar Lap transferred to film was done expertly and accurately.
I enjoyed this film, especially being a horse racing fan myself.
It begins the film with Phar Lap's death, and looks back at the events that transpired before it.
This spoils a possible strong and shocking end to the story.The story line of Phar Lap is strong, he was a freak racehorse who came from rags to riches to win the hearts of all Australians during the great depression.
After winning the biggest race in the world, his life tragically ends in suspicious circumstances, which forces a nation into mourning.
This doesn't spoil the movie as the story of Phar Lap can stand on its own.Tom Burlinson does a good job of Tommy Woodcock, Rob Leibman practically walks away with the movie as the American Dave Davis.
However, Martin Vaughan's performance is average as Phar Lap's trainer, Harry Telford.
Even with the tragic ending it is still light entertaining movie about a great Australian Icon..
Phar Lap is truly an amazing film, and an amazing horse.
The movie tells the story of this Australian horse who defies the odds to become one of the best racehorses in the 20th century.
Any horse or sports lover should watch and enjoy this movie.
Phar Lap is my personal favorite, and I cannot wait till they re-release this wonderful story..
The actors, the scenery, the music, the story, and the awesome appearance of the horse that played Pharlap gave me goosebumps.
Especially exciting was when Pharlap was late and made his grand entrance onto the track at the 1930 Melbourne Cup. This movie is not only one of my favorites, but one of the most often watched by me..
I saw the movie PharLap when it was originally released and several times since .I have also read a number of books on his story.
The truth is that PharLap would have achieved greatness with any competent trainer and would have done so with or without Tommy Woodcock.
PharLap is a good movie.It is a pity that the makers sacrifice the facts for the sake of the story itself and to the detriment of the character of Telford..
Tom Burlinson, better known as "The Man From Snowy River," is outstanding as Tommy Woodcock, the Aussie horse racing legend..
I love horses, and this movie was one of the best I have seen!
a race between Seabiscuit and Phar Lap. This movie is one of the best horse movies EVER.
Seabiscuit and Phar Lap race I wonder which great horse would win?
I did not know that that many people knew about Phar Lap. Too bad the owner and trainer felt they needed to keep this poor horse proving himself over and over to the point that it became greed.
Perhaps someone should have poisoned them and let Phar Lap rest and enjoy his life.
I am looking forward to getting the Seabiscuit DVD soon, already have Phar Lap and all the Black Stallion DVD's.
Wish there were more great horse movies.
My mother nursed Tommy Woodcock before he died and said Phar Lap was the love of his life, his death broke his heart.
But she is 7 years old and has run 36 races, Phar Lap was only 3 when he died and had already raced 51 times, 37 of them wins.
I don't think there will ever be another horse that matches the incomparable Phar Lap..
Any horse lover would love this movie.
I would recommend who loves horses and Austrian movies to see it..
The name Phar Lap brought happiness and joy to the hearts of millions.
The name Phar Lap brought happiness and joy to the hearts of millions in a time of need.
One was Bradman, the greatest cricketer of our nation and then there was Phar Lap. This movie is a MUST SEE..
There's a sort of double nostalgia at work here  for the greatest racehorse in history, and for the golden days of Australian movie making.
This 1983 release was a popular and successful movie about one of Australia's greatest sporting legends  the phenomenal racehorse who, during the Great Depression, was the punters' favourite, despite the attempt by race officials to weight him out of events.
David Williamson's script efficiently covers all the historical, personal and emotional highlights of the story (including the racing officials' unpleasant prejudice against Phar Lap's Jewish owner).
Starring Tom Burlinson (good with horses), it's a handsomely mounted (!) production, shot in Panavision (by Oscar winner Russell Boyd) with lots of period detail and familiar Aussie faces, like Gia Carides, Martin Vaughan and Richard (The Sullivans) Morgan..
I was in a reenactment of Phar Lap last year at a royal show and I was riding a horse racing next to the horse playing Phar Lap and I was overcome with emotion to be riding next to the legend (even though it was an reenactment.)I suggest this movie to everyone and everyone should know the story of phar lap because it is world history and he deserves his name to be know right around the world..
i am now 20 and still think it is one of the best of all time and could watch it over and over again I'm telling all people now if you haven't seen it or or kids haven't go get it out and watch it it has a lot of history in it and is a excellent movie.
Having just watched the Kentucky Derby (my favorite sports event), the Preakness (very depressing), and Seabiscuit, Phar Lap was the next logical choice.
Phar Lap, like Seabiscuit, was the little horse that could.
In eight of his stakes races, he set new records, winning the Melbourne Cup, the Victoria derby, The W.S. Cox Plate, the Melbourne Stakes and many others.Phar Lap (a phonetic spelling of the Thai word for ''lightning'') was known to his trainer Harry Telford (Martin Vaughan) and his stable boy Tommy Woodcock (Tim Burlinson) as "Bobby" though he was also called "Big Red", "The Red Terror", "The Wonder Horse", and "The Big Fellow".
Like Seabiscuit, Phar Lap became a hero to many during the great depression because he was bought for a song and no one believed he would amount to much.
After losing his first few races, Phar Lap is trained to come from behind and overtake horses and the film details his rise to fame including the often-strained relationships between owner, trainer, and the stable boy who loved Bobby and wanted to protect him from Harry's tough training methods.The film also describes the corruption in racing at the time and the fierce betting that took place among mob interests.
Even though he was racing on dirt for the first time, he established a record time, coming from last place to win in a crowded field but it was to be his last race.Phar Lap is a very entertaining film and the horse racing sequences are splendidly done, though there is never much suspense about the outcome.
Over the last 20 years I found myself thinking about it on occasion and wondering why it wasn't a big success.Now along comes Seabiscuit, oddly enough so many of the elements are the same, of course except for the tragic end to Phar Lap.
Are the screenwriters of Seabiscuit, stealing bits and pieces of Phar Lap and claiming an original story?Gets you thinking now doesn't it?.
they were both great horses with similiar stories that stood seperatly in racing history during the Depression era.The screen play for Seabiscuit was based on the research and writting of Laura Hillenbrand.Both movies are very good and a must see for horse lovers and racing fans.
The movie opens with Phar Lap's death in 1932 Menlo Park, California.
After early losses, Phar Lap becomes a celebrated horse in depression Australia.This is the definition of traditional.
Some very heart-warming moments.Maybe a bit too join-the-dots as far as plot goes, but this does not detract too much from the entertainment.Great performance by Martin Vaughan as Phar Lap's curmudgeony trainer, Harry Telford.
Along with National Velvet, this is one of the few films featuring a horse as one of the main characters that I remember well from being a kid.The story is inspirational with a sad ending and the main characters in the film are likable and well acted.
It shows a rare insight into the field of racing and you cannot help but admire the horses when they are racing, they are such powerful beasts and the filming really captures the movement.
I am pleased that they made this film about Phar Lap to help him be remembered by more people.I also really love the music of the film, it is a bit dated now but it fits the film really well..
Greatest horse racing movie ever?
The true story itself is simply amazing; Phar Lap did things no other horse has ever done.
People who have watched thousands of real life horse races know when they're seeing a horse "stiffed" (pulled back by the jockey) and in this movie they really took their time and filmed again and again and again and again and AGAIN to get realistic races, yet with the result they needed.
It's very moving to see him, the greatest race horse ever!He also may have been foaled in New Zealand, but Phar Lap is an Australian horse and an Australian hero.Only criticism, is that the music in the movie is terrible.
I think this movie could use a good update, but now with Sea Biscuit America overshadows our great hero.
We'll have to wait a few years until we are all ready for another horse movie..
Phar Lap is from New Zealand Not Australia.
One of the Best movies ever, makes it more exciting when it's a real story.
The people who ran this site have it wrong, the Horse Phar Lap is from New Zealand, born and bread, Not Australia.
Just like New Zealanders, 99% if the time they are the most quiet and easy going people on this earth, but once they believe in a good cause, look out.
excepitional story of the great Phar Lap. One day over 20 years ago I had some vacation time from work and went to rent some movies, the lady at the video store had recommended this movie for anyone who was horse lover, when I got home I watched it I was totally caught up in the movie, at the time I had never heard of Phar Lap, it was a wonderful story how a nation became so in love with this horse expressly with his terrible start.
The racing scenes were so exciting even though you know what happens after watching so many time s you can't help but cheer for him.
The music is so beautiful, I certain wish people would watch this movie and keep a open mind, that it is just not a story about a horse..
I've seen so many horse films black beauty to sea biscuit red rum to the long ranger and none can be compared to the best of them PHAR LAP this is the true story of a true legend which becomes the greatest horse racer of all time even now i don't think any horse has matched his stats.
the story starts in 1928 or 1927 one of them when phar lap comes of a boat to his new owner his owner knows hes gonna be a champ but he has to train him and train him at 1st phar lap looses his 1st race but then he gets trained by young tommy woodcock thats when phar lap becomes the best of the best.
march 20 1932 phar lap has gone over the states to race for the big prize however Dave Davis the owner has been warned if phar lap wins keep him well guarded cause the mafia don't like foreign horses wining for some reason.
Phar lap wins that race.
16 days later phar lap the greatest horse of all time died in the arms of his trainer tommy.
this film is just amazing its a shame u cant buy it in the shops some parts can be really sad when i saw phar lap just drop and die at the end i was almost in tears but there are some funny moments at times.as someone would say Phar lap wasn't just a horse he was the best..
I thought Simon Wincer did an alright job of telling this story, although with a subject like Phar Lap he wasn't too hard pushed to stir emotions in the viewer, particularly if they're of Australian origin.
To be truthful, it does fall short of the mark in some respects.To start with, I didn't think the film's sequence of starting with his death, flashing back through the horse's life then back to the death really worked.
Phar Lap was a legend for more reason than just winning races.
The acting also was commendable, particularly Ron Liebman playing David Davis, who seemed to be channeling Al Pacino in certain scenes.Overall I came away feeling a little disappointed with the treatment the film gave a figure such as Phar Lap. However, hiring the DVD is worthwhile for the Special Features that contain Wincer's interview with Tommy Woodcock, but prepare to cringe at Wincer questioning Woodcock on what he thought of his movie..
It could have done better putting Phar Lap's death at the end of the movie though.
If you already have, you will know Towering Inferno (horse that played Phar Lap) couldn't get the right size of Phar Lap. A little fact is Towering Inferno was struck by lighting and died after the movie was filmed.
My favorite part is the end of the movie where, even with a painful hoove injury he won the American race.