Phar Lap

Play trailer

Phar Lap

PG

1983

1h 48m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Tommy (Tom Burlinson) works as a stable boy for horse trainer Harry Telford (Martin Vaughan). Telford takes a risk in leasing a gaunt horse named Phar Lap from his boss, Dave Davis (Ron Leibman), entrusting care of the animal to Tommy. But when Phar Lap begins an unexpected winning spree, Telford must fend off pressure from other racers and disgruntled gamblers -- not to mention the boss and his wife (Judy Morris), who have both taken a keen interest in the horse and its earning potential.

Luke Buckmaster

Guardian

Jan 2, 2016

The film is buoyed by good performances, strong production values and Williamson's writing, which finds a genuine but bittersweet way to commemorate one of Australian sport's best performing athletes.

Go to Full Review

Gillian MacKay

Maclean's Magazine

Sep 23, 2019

With more confidence and more bravura, the movie might have been as smashing as its subject. Instead, it finishes just out of the money.

Go to Full Review

David Elliott

Copley News Service

Jul 19, 2019

The film is richly acted... And it's as well paced as a good race by director Simon Wincer.

Go to Full Review

Lori Hoffman

Atlantic City Weekly

Jun 12, 2007

4/5

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Sep 13, 2005

3/5

Caffeinated Clint

Moviehole

Jun 11, 2005

3/5

A movie you'll never forget....tears aplenty

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Kyle C

@RT81929361 Mar 18, 2025

The best horse racing movie ever made. Amazing performances by both animal and human actors. I own this movie and watch it every year.

See more

Jacob B

@RT89309114 Jun 21, 2023

A compelling, even tragic sports drama, Phar Lap is an iconic Australian film about a race horse whose career came to a heartbreaking end that could've been avoided. The strong performances and some really good music - quite the underrated soundtrack, I believe - help. My family always did get emotionally fragile about horse films. I have Bojack Horseman and, to a lesser extent, Spirit, my mother has War Horse and my father has this film. I don't feel as passionate about it as he does but I can acknowledge that this was still quite the underrated sports drama from the land down under.

See more

Apr 14, 2017

Classic Australian film & history.

See more

Jul 26, 2014

This is a great story about the legendary horse it is very heart-warming and the film provides great detail about the past of Phar Lap

See more

Feb 22, 2014

Australian, inspirational, tense... 4 Steven Spielbergs

See more

Feb 13, 2014

An all time great Aussie film

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Simon Wincer

Director

Tom Burlinson

Tommy Woodcock

Martin Vaughan

Harry Telford

Judy Morris

Bea Davis

Ron Leibman

Dave Davis

Celia De Burgh

Vi Telford

Places in the Heart

90%

83%

Places in the Heart

Watchlist

The Natural

83%

88%

The Natural

Watchlist

Tender Mercies

83%

81%

Tender Mercies

Watchlist

The Karate Kid

81%

83%

The Karate Kid

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Karate Kid

Hoosiers

90%

88%

Hoosiers

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Tommy (Tom Burlinson) works as a stable boy for horse trainer Harry Telford (Martin Vaughan). Telford takes a risk in leasing a gaunt horse named Phar Lap from his boss, Dave Davis (Ron Leibman), entrusting care of the animal to Tommy. But when Phar Lap begins an unexpected winning spree, Telford must fend off pressure from other racers and disgruntled gamblers -- not to mention the boss and his wife (Judy Morris), who have both taken a keen interest in the horse and its earning potential.

Director: Simon Wincer
Producer: John Sexton
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Surround

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings