As a surprise, two horse owners decide to ride their animals themselves in a steeplechase. But Bill Davidson's horse "Admiral" behaves weirdly, and falls hard after an obstacle. Bill dies from his injuries. His friend Alan York suspects the animal was doped by unscrupulous bookies and starts to investigate. He doesn't know how serious his opponents are, and that he's in danger to suffer the exact same fate as his friend.
Acting
Young Judi Dench carries every scene she's in.
Direction
Tony Richardson's strange pivot from kitchen sink to thriller.
Practical Effects
Actual steeplechase footage, no CGI horses here.
Director
Tony Richardson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on Dick Francis's first novel; he was a real jockey who turned to crime fiction after a career-ending fall.
This was Tony Richardson's attempt to go commercial after Tom Jones, but critics savaged it as lifeless.
US
