Phar Lap, the big bold chestnut reigned as the king of the turf in the depression that gripped Australia of the 1930s. From his humble beginnings the New Zealand bred horse raced on to become the hero of a nation.
Acting
Tom Burlinson's sweaty devotion to a horse
Cinematography
Dusty racetracks that feel genuinely 1930s
Practical Effects
Multiple horses played Phar Lap, all legends
Director
Simon Wincer
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Four different horses played Phar Lap, including a descendant of the actual horse. The real Phar Lap's heart weighs 6.2kg and is still preserved in a jar at a Melbourne museum.
Phar Lap's 1931 Melbourne Cup win came when Australia had 30% unemployment. His US trip was meant to prove colonial superiority — his mysterious death made him a martyr.
AU
