MovieChat Forums > The Missouri Breaks (1976) Discussion > Unacceptable to the AHA

Unacceptable to the AHA

posted 18 years ago by tjantus
25 replies | jump to latest

I've always enjoyed this movie--one of my favorite Westerns--but I've just read in the trivia about how the reckless film making caused the death and injuries to some of the horses, and that leaches a good deal of the pleasure out of it for me.
By the time this movie was in production, major film studios had to know that that kind of treatment of animals was unnecessary and uncalled for. It's bad enough when production companies put animals in harms way out of ignorance or financial constraint; that's not an excuse, but at least it's understandable. But these people knew better and could afford to do things otherwise and chose to destroy creatures when it could have been done another way.

[–] reiver7 18 years ago

Yeah... it is so shameful and detracts from a great piece.

Just saw the movie again last night after about 25 years and some questions came to mind, like "Did that horse get hurt? Because it sure looked real." and "Did they really kill a rabbit for this movie? because it looked AND sounded real."

It is hard to forgive the folks involved, all of them, when we know they not only knew better but that the sensibilities of the times should have permeated decisions about these type of actions. Those sensibilities certainly permeated the film--which is still an extraordinary piece of writing, acting, and cinema.

Oh well...too bad the film must always carry the very valid approbation of the AHA. It is at least a significant and shameful lesson.

[–] peterjudson 18 years ago

Glad yáll haven't seen any of the Mondo Cane films! I eat meat, I hunt and I have gone to cockfights (about to made illegal in my home state of LA, which may explain my primtive response here anyway). This sort of stuff doesn't bother me. Or rather it does bother me. That's a good thing. It humanizes us again to the suffering of the world around us. People eat bunnies and horses, how did they get on the plate? Show me. I need to know. Or maybe I should go kill them myself? Naw...don't like the meat. These images make us feel again. Yes, they are horrible, but that horse, that rabbit died/was maimed for US. Respect the sacrafice.

I am NOT the "real" Peter Judson.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] le_chiffre-1 15 years ago

"Did they really kill a rabbit for this movie? because it looked AND sounded real."

Who cares? I can buy rabbit any day of the week from my local butcher. Rabbits are pests which don't deserve to live.

Come to think of it, I can also buy horsemeat, not that I would.

[–] klebermann 17 years ago

Don't be so hypocritical, folks. Too much killing and torture goes unnoticed in the world against humans for us to be observant about some animals dying. We are always going to exploit animals and plants. A few animals slaughtered for some pointless old movie don't count much in the equation.

[–] tjantus 17 years ago

I don't really think it's hypocrisy to object to animals being needlessly injured or harmed simply for cinematic entertainment. I eat meat, and I think the movie "La Caza" is a masterpiece, even though many rabbits were cruelly slaughtered making it. That was still morally wrong, but it was essential to the message of the movie, which was not particularly enjoyable. I don't think it was supposed to be. Even in the movie "The Wild Bunch" care was taken to avoid injury to the horses.
The cruelty that we perpetrate on our fellow humans is disgusting, proof that man is the most vicious creature on earth; the cruelty we perpetrate on defenseless animals simply makes that more apparant. But if we can find ways to avoid treating animals badly when possible, that's one step closer to "humanizing" ourselves

[–] gambit61-1 17 years ago

A horse can kill a man just by kicking. How is it defenseless? People who hold animal rights higher than human rights make me sick. If you are too busy worrying about an animal than a human, you no longer have rights. You lost them. They're gone. Yeah, it sucks that animals had to die to make the film. Accidents happen. HUMANS have died making films, too. Brandon Lee is one. So you know what? Bite me. Most animals are not defenseless. So shut up. God, I hate people...

[–] tjantus 17 years ago

Accidents don't just happen, and with care and attention to detail they don't. Brandon Lee's death was a horrible tragedy, and an accident that should never have happened. More careless, needless loss because people were in too much of a hurry.
When a film's budget takes precedence over the safety and rights of the cast and crew--animal OR human--then something is very wrong with the values and professionalism of the production company.
I'm sorry you hate people so badly. Maybe you shouldn't communicate with them.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] theAssassinator 16 years ago

You lilly-livers should never watch El Topo, then...300 rabbits with broken necks quivering on the ground, and only for sake of art.

God, that film was great...

[–] BenGrimms_Thing 16 years ago

Those of us that love animals are lily livers, yet I could absolutely watch you quiver on film with a broken neck for hours. It would be a sobering comment on man's arrogance regarding his place in the universe, very much art.

[–] theAssassinator 16 years ago

You know as much about art as you do the universe, I'm afraid -- you and your family, quivering on screen with broken necks would not be art...but it would cure you!

El TOPO!

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] veryape 15 years ago

You see, this is what happens when you lack education or exposure to real life.

I hate those crazy douchebags that go out of their way to criticize people for eating meat or even say idiotic things like they'd rather humans died instead of animals ( well, in some cases its warranted :D ). But if you think its okay to kill animals to make a movie...well, maybe you're a bit f'd up.

[–] theAssassinator 15 years ago

Uhhhhhhh....ever heard of Craft services?

And all those leather couches they dress the set with didn't skin themselves, you know.

So it is ok...and you're just as f'd up as the rest of us.

[–] veryape 15 years ago

That is just stupid, what you said...mind boggingly, stupid...
Is that couch going to get thrown out after the movie is done? Is that how they do it?

"Okay, thats a wrap! Now lets throw out all those leather couches!!!"

You really should stop and think before you post. In fact, you should type...read, REREAD, then PREVIEW...THEN perhaps after reading it at least 2 more times...THEN, and ONLY THEN...should you think about PERHAPS, MAYBE imagine seeing yourself THINKING about clicking the POST button...

Glad i could help...

[–] le_chiffre-1 15 years ago

"Is that couch going to get thrown out after the movie is done? Is that how they do it?"

Don't worry about it. I'm sure they send the horses to the glue factory to be recycled afterwards. Doesn't get much greener than that.

[–] theAssassinator 15 years ago

Is that couch going to get thrown out after the movie is done? Is that how they do it?

"Okay, thats a wrap! Now lets throw out all those leather couches!!!"

Of course they're not thrown out -- they're then used to determine which actress is best suited for later roles. But following you're lack of logic, I agree with you, as long as the horses weren't thrown away after their untimely deaths, it's acceptable!

Maybe you're right, maybe I should check my gut 15 times before posting...

...then again, I'm not the one whining about the treatment of animals in a 30 year old movie.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] veryape 15 years ago

This ranks up there with one of the stupidest things i've ever read...
Brandon Lee died in a movie so its okay that animals are killed in them...

I always wondered, who the hell voted for W. Bush?! There is no WAY he got that many votes! Then along comes something like this, and i again remember that there are people like you...and you're out there, voting for idiots and doing/saying idiotic things.

[–] le_chiffre-1 15 years ago

"The cruelty that we perpetrate on our fellow humans is disgusting, proof that man is the most vicious creature on earth..."

Sure he is. Why don't you discuss it with a shark or grizzly bear the next time you run into one.

[–] le_chiffre-1 15 years ago

"We are always going to exploit animals and plants."

Now that you mention it, I was horrified at the way Brando was treating those carrots in the movie. I hope it wasn't real. We must end cruelty to plants!

[–] le_chiffre-1 15 years ago

"I've always enjoyed this movie--one of my favorite Westerns--but I've just read in the trivia about how the reckless film making caused the death and injuries to some of the horses, and that leaches a good deal of the pleasure out of it for me."

Never mind all that. What I found disturbing was the scene with Brando molesting his horse. That poor horse must have been traumatized.

[–] icarus77 14 years ago

I always think fair play to the people that pipe up and disagree with the system, and laugh at those who think they are realists. The film is fiction. To those who support animals being killed in action for a few moments of footage, if that, just how talented are the actors and crew? This has nothing to do with food or meat and all to do with ego and stupidity. For all the talent, if they can't or won't do the simple task of running a small herd of horses without injuring and killing some, how the hell do you retain the right to be superior or angry when they have been so incredibly thick and ignorant within the job they were supposed to do?

[–] bear022013-588-696101 11 years ago

I was angered by the way Brando hit the horse with the carrot...Now from what you have written...I wish I could have been there to knockout all of those gutless stuntmen.....................and I could do it ..