MovieChat Forums > The Horse Whisperer (1998) Discussion > I forgot how incredibly stressful the be...

I forgot how incredibly stressful the beginning of this movie is

posted 16 years ago by carmalarma
24 replies | jump to latest

I'm watching it right now, and actually almost started hyperventilating I was so upset. When you own a horse and have a really special bond, I think it's hard to watch what happened to Grace and Pilgrim (or Judith and Gulliver)and not imagine "oh god, what if that ever happened to me and my horse?" Just thinking about it while watching the first 15 minutes absolutely tore me up inside.

KStew's Bulldog
T~O#13
1979-2008

[–] MrsTrevorMoore 16 years ago

The beginning of this movie used to really upset me also, but my instructor always reminded me that what we, as riders, should take away from this scene, is the intense love and loyalty that Pilgrim shows towards Grace: when he rears up and throws her, he's trying to protect her.

Why so serious?

[–] eagle9192 16 years ago

I agree !! I watched the movie again not long ago and I still can't watch that part... I almost forgot Cheryl Jones played the vet in it! I absolutely love that actress, she's also a great person, go watch her in a play sometimes, she will blow you away !!

[–] Coryraisa 15 years ago

Yeah. I still laugh when Annie says, That s&%$ at the article.

[–] sugerfoot 15 years ago

I have never before felt the need to be physically ill while watching a scene in a movie. I'm not a "horse person"per say, but as an animal lover...dear god that was awful.

[–] ZombieKubrick 15 years ago

The harder part for me to watch isn't so much the actual accident, as it is seeing how terrified Pilgrim is when he is under the bridge with the glass still sticking out of his chest. That part is just awful.

[–] squirt_fry 13 years ago

The harder part for me to watch isn't so much the actual accident, as it is seeing how terrified Pilgrim is when he is under the bridge with the glass still sticking out of his chest.

That was glass sticking out of his chest? I thought it was a hunk of his chest hanging down...

[–] mlmerit 12 years ago

My family has a small ranch, well small for Texas anyway...We've got some of the most beautiful horses that are mostly raised for work and some pleasure...After being around them all my life I still can't watch the first of this movie without cringing...There is no question the relationship between many a horse and its rider runs just as deep as portrayed in the movie. A horse, just like a dog, will protect those that important to them...They'll stand straight up and take the hit...Which makes me feel so sorry for those of us being of human variety can't see the connection, or abuse an animal...

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] IzzyTree 14 years ago

I agree, it's one of the hardest scenes I've ever watched. What makes it even worse is, right before, Grace and Judith take a "shortcut" that they didn't have to take, don't they? Why don't they ever mention that again in the movie? Did Grace ever feel any guilt for taking that shortcut that apparently was one of the precipitating causes of the accident? Just wondering. I never read the book.

Whenever I get to that point in the scene where Grace or Judith says, "let's take this shortcut," I go "No No NO!!!!!" It's very hard to watch, I agree.

[–] Coryraisa 14 years ago

Grace did feel guilt...but she and Judith had no way of knowing how dangerous it would be. That scene is hard to watch for me also.

[–] karabnp-1 14 years ago

I've ridden since I was 8 years old. (In my twenties now.) Even at Grace & Judith's ages, (Which I'm assuming is 12-14.) I knew to NEVER ride my horse in icy/adverse conditions. Ice/snow is SLIPPERY. Even a 3 or 4 year old knows that. In this movie, I just chalk up what happened as a stupid, careless decision, that unfortunately had horrific consequences. :(
Ignorance and stupidity kills.

~K~

"Everybody in this house needs to calm down, and eat some fruit or something." -Signs

[–] karabnp-1 14 years ago

Whenever I feel the need to inflict torture upon myself, I bust out the DVD, & my stomach will start to knot. :(
I have seen a LOT of screwed up movies in my time, & the beginning of this movie traumatizes the hell out of, and haunts me like no other.
Probably because I personify & relate to it so much, since I've been in traumatic situations/accidents with my horse. :(
Watching I always think, "I WOULD NEVER ride my horse on an icy/snowed over road/trail, much less try to take a "shortcut" UP A HILL."
To me that was totally avoidable & stupid, but it is a movie plot after all. ;)
Once you sit through the awful start, the gorgeous scenery & the healing process isn't all that bad. ;) :)

~K~

"Everybody in this house needs to calm down, and eat some fruit or something." -Signs

[–] MissScarlett67 14 years ago

I remember reading the book when it first came out - the way Nicholas Evans writes the accident was so vivid and horrific, that I broke down crying.
I was amazed that the written word would have such an effect on me.

"Mister, I don't want to kill you and you don't want to be dead." Mal - Silverado

[–] frothandbubble 13 years ago

Yes! Tore me up and made me worry about my horse and I too! This movie definitely hits a whole different kind of nerve for horse people. I feel like that scene was very well done though. As painful as it may be to watch, the horrendous images and well depicted intensity of that event are so necessary to set up the feel for the rest of the film.

I'm so much more cautious about riding on ice now though. Be safe!

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] AZINDN 12 years ago

I love this film but have to skip the first half hour. I intellectually know this is a scene that is edited to look far more dangerous and these are trained stunt horses, but I can't watch it. I can't watch any film where animals get injured, esp. horses. After the accident, I'm fine and just love this wonderful film, esp. the ranch dynamics of the easterners meeting the cattle ranch lifestyle. The "mixed green salad" line is hysterical among many sort of "folksy" dialogues between the Bookers and Annie.

-- Ew lover, you gonna make me clutch my pearls --