Dark Horse

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2:19

Dark Horse

PG

2016

1h 26m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

80 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

A barmaid in a poor Welsh mining village convinces some of her fellow residents to pool their resources to compete in the "sport of kings" with a racehorse they would breed and raise.

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Critics Consensus

Dark Horse offers a thoroughly crowd-pleasing look at an incredible -- and inspirational -- real-life story that will thrill equine enthusiasts and novices alike.

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J. Hoberman

Tablet

08/16/2017

The funny, sad Dark Horse adds a creepy loser in love to the director's catalog of misanthropes.

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Kate Erbland

IndieWire

01/02/2017

B+

It's a true winner and a genuine crowdpleaser, a human story told well through one incredible animal.

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Scott Marks

San Diego Reader

06/10/2016

3/5

Fantasy fulfillment for those wondering what would happen if Ma & Pa Kettle hauled Mr. Ed to Del Mar and pulled up a stall adjacent to the high-hatted muckety mucks.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

08/18/2021

3/4

The whole affair has a Caddyshack-esque "snobs against the slobs" vibe to it.

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

02/03/2021

4/5

It's a fable of empowerment, of beating the odds, but Osmond's deft hand ensures it never feels manipulative.

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Sura Wood

Bay Area Reporter

06/18/2020

Using video footage, old photos, reenactments and interviews with the spunky local inhabitants, Osmond reconstructs a story of a willful, competitive animal who could and did, and the town that loved her for it.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 05/13/2025

Rated PG for Mild Thematic Elements, and Language. Based on a true story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Carolyn N

@PonySoldier 08/12/2023

I really enjoyed this interesting documentary/movie. The real life characters are entertaining and the amazing horse is the star of the show. The editing, direction and cinematography are excellent.

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Georgan G

@RT98616417 04/28/2023

Nice story in many ways, especially that they saw the horse as part of their family, not just an investment. Horse racing is an inhumane "sport," but this true event has some value in terms of seeing animals as partners, not "property."

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06/29/2017

A polished documentary with a simple sustained premise. It's an uplifting and inspiring true story.

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04/07/2017

I really enjoyed it, if you like the underdog in sport you will love this true story

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04/04/2017

Not a fan of horse racing because of the amount of horses that get killed, but this was a great story, not only because a group of friends in Wales decided to breed a race horse but because when the horse was injured they didn't let him die. He went on to recover and race again and now is enjoying his retirement.

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Louise Osmond

Director

Tony Kerby

Self

Maureen Jones

Self

Eddie Thomas

Self

Judith Dawson

Producer

Julian Ware

Executive Producer

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Dark Horse: Trailer 1

2:19

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Synopsis

A barmaid in a poor Welsh mining village convinces some of her fellow residents to pool their resources to compete in the "sport of kings" with a racehorse they would breed and raise.

Director: Louise Osmond
Producer: Judith Dawson
Screenwriter: Louise Osmond
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Sony Pictures Classics
Rating: PG (Mild Thematic Elements|Language)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): May 6, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 23, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $749.6K
Runtime: 1h 26m