Running Free (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Running Free |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Theatrical release poster
|
|
| Directed by | Sergei Bodrov |
| Produced by | Jean-Jacques Annaud |
| Screenplay by | Jeanne Rosenberg |
| Story by | Jeanne Rosenberg Jean-Jacques Annaud |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Nicola Piovani |
| Cinematography | Dan Laustsen |
| Editing by | Ray Lovejoy |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures (through Sony Pictures Releasing) |
| Release date(s) | June 2, 2000 |
| Running time | 85 minutes |
| Budget | $25 million |
| Money made | $117,608 |
Running Free is a movie from 2000 about a wild horse. It tells the story of a horse born into a tough life in 1914. The film was made in 1999 and came out in the United States in 2000. Sergei Bodrov directed it, and Jean-Jacques Annaud wrote and produced it. Lukas Haas narrates the story, and Columbia Pictures distributed the film.
Contents
What Is Running Free About?
The movie Running Free mostly takes place in a country called Namibia (which was then called German South-West Africa). The story begins in 1914, during World War I. An Arabian mare (a female horse) gives birth to a beautiful chestnut foal (a baby horse) on a ship. They are traveling to a town called Swakopmund to work in copper mines.
Lucky's Early Life
When the foal arrives at the mining town, he gets separated from his mother. He almost dies because he is so thirsty. A kind 12-year-old stable boy named Richard (Chase Moore) saves him. Richard lets the foal live in the stable where the special racehorses stay. This makes Caesar, a proud stallion (male horse) and the boss's favorite horse, very angry.
The foal, who is named Lucky, finally finds his mother again. But Caesar, still angry that a workhorse was in his stable, attacks and kills Lucky's mother. Lucky then wanders away from the town. He returns after a desert snake bites him. Richard treats the bite using Caesar's special medicine.
Richard and Lucky's Journey
Richard's 8-year-old cousin, Hans (Nicholas Trueb), tells on Richard. Even though Richard is threatened, he and Lucky leave the town. They go into the Namib Desert to find a special hidden oasis (a place with water) in the mountains.
While alone in the desert, Richard and Lucky meet a 12-year-old girl named Nyka (Maria Geelbooi). She teaches them how to survive in the harsh desert environment. When they eventually return to the mining town, it is attacked by planes from the South African Air Force. The German soldiers start moving people away from the town. Richard does not want to leave Lucky. He is forced to go when more planes attack the railroad.
After the people are evacuated, Nyka takes care of Lucky and brings him to her tribe. Lucky later leaves Nyka's tribe when he smells something familiar from a hunt.
Lucky's Return and Leadership
Back at the camp, Caesar and the other horses are still mean to Lucky. So, Lucky sets off for the oasis again. He promises himself that he will defeat Caesar one day. In the desert, Lucky meets many different animals. He finally finds the secret oasis.
Two years later, Lucky returns to the mining town. He defeats Caesar and leads the other horses to the oasis.
Another twelve years pass, and Lucky is now the leader of his herd. Richard, now 26 years old (Arie Verveen), comes back to Namibia. He finds the German mining town empty. Richard flies over the desert, looking for the oasis, which he can see from the sky. When he lands, Richard finds the horses. Lucky almost attacks him. But Lucky soon recognizes Richard's special whistle, and the two friends are reunited.
Who Are the Main Actors?
- Chase Moore plays Richard when he is young.
- Arie Verveen plays Richard when he is an adult.
- Maria Geelbooi plays Nyka.
- Jan Decleir plays the Boss Man.
- Nicholas Trueb plays Hans, the Boss's son.
- Lukas Haas is the Narrator.
How Was the Movie Made?
Sergei Bodrov directed Running Free. He had also directed Prisoner of the Mountains, which was nominated for an Oscar. The screenwriter, Jeanne Rosenberg, had worked on the movie Black Stallion before this film. Jean-Jacques Annaud produced the movie. He had also worked on films like Quest for Fire and The Bear. An organization called American Humane watched over the animal action in the movie to make sure the animals were treated well.
