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Did anyone see the first episode of this on Sky Atlantic last night?
I had high hopes for it when it stated it was by HBO and was the next project of David Milch, creator of the superb Deadwood. It also has Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte in it. I was less happy to find out the pilot was directed by Michael Mann, and on watching the trailer I wasn’t overly impressed. Obviously, that’s no basis for making a judgement.
Just wondered if anyone else had seen it yet?
Don’t miss the first episode of US racing drama ‘Luck’ starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte. Sky Atlantic (109) at 9pm. Good reviews so far and top writing team.
I don’t know the detailed circumstances and didn’t know about that at all until you pointed it out EC. Clearly any harm to animals is not acceptable. I understand, from reading about it, that HBO are in discussions with PETA about what can be improved re- animal welfare during television/film shoots.
That said, it appears they did have good safeguards in place, and as we all know, horses are fragile creatures.
"Luck" drew praise from Dr. Rick Arthur, equine medical director for the California Horse Racing Board, who called the series’ horse protections "exemplary."
"In fact, I wish I had this in horseracing in California and the U.S. The racing industry can learn from some of the things HBO is doing to safeguard these horses," Arthur said.
Smart, engrossing, credible (non of the "at odds of 17-3 he’s running in the 3f sprint at Cheltenham"-type attempts we’ve suffered in UK dramas with a racing connection) and the whole seedy thing looks drop-dead gorgeous.
The latter probably has much to do with Michael Mann’s directing as he has a unique ability to stylise a vista – examples being the superb cityscapes in films such as
Collateral
and
Heat
as well as the pastel glitz of the original
Miami Vice
series.
HBO have invested heavily in movie-quality series in recent times with the well-received
Game of Thrones
and
Boardwalk Empire
amongst others that have made it to these shores of late.
Loved it. Could do with a few more ad breaks though…
Mike
I’m not into gambling – watched because of racing theme and Dustin H – felt something awful was going to happen to number 8 … please tell me those scenes were "digitally done" … I actually fell asleep after 30 mins or so – watched the rest this morning – found following the plot rather taxing – maybe it’s the speaking/mumbling I can’t tune in to … ??
Can’t really help you with the "plot" TP.
Found it a bit difficult to follow, but picked up to make me watch the second episode.
Not sure this prog is going to do any good for "racing" though.
Value Is EverythingAmazing people could enjoy it, with them knowing full well horses have been killed in it’s production yet object to a foam stick in horse racing that doesn’t hurt a horse.
Don’t rate Dustin Hoffman anyway, he was dire in that Meet the Fockers, the only thing he was good in was Midnight Cowboy.
Amazing people could enjoy it, with them knowing full well horses have been killed in it’s production
Is that true?
Value Is EverythingIs that true?
cormack refers to it Gingertipster in his other thread on Luck lower down.
Amazing people could enjoy it, with them knowing full well horses have been killed in it’s production yet object to a foam stick in horse racing that doesn’t hurt a horse.
If that is aimed at me Eddie then you’ve completely missed the entire point of everything I’ve said on the whip and I’m not intending to take your bait and go into the whole circular debate once again.
I’ve also alluded (on the other ‘Luck’ thread) to the fact that a senior racing welfare specialist in California considered the welfare standards employed during the filming of Luck to be of a high standard and in fact suggested that he wished standards in the actual sport itself were as high.
(Two horses were killed during filming GT)
There was also a quote in that thread Eddie:
"Luck" drew praise from Dr. Rick Arthur, equine medical director for the California Horse Racing Board, who called the series’ horse protections "exemplary."
"In fact, I wish I had this in horseracing in California and the U.S. The racing industry can learn from some of the things HBO is doing to safeguard these horses," Arthur said.
So how were the horses "killed"? Was it by accident or deliberatly done for filming purposes?
If "by accident" it is no different to racing, and if Dr. Arthur is correct, better than normal USA racing.
Value Is EverythingI’ve also alluded (on the other ‘Luck’ thread) to the fact that a senior racing welfare specialist in California considered the welfare standards employed during the filming of Luck to be of a high standard and in fact suggested that he wished standards in the actual sport itself were as high.
(Two horses were killed during filming GT)
I presume he was referring to the standards in American racing where they have no whip rules at all, use far more severe equipment on horses and are quite free with their use of drugs on them rather than standards here?
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