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A link from horse section.
http://www.theracingforum.co.uk/horse-racing-forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=89554&start=0
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I see HBO have stopped filming with horses after being ordered to do so by the American Humane Association pending a "thorough and comprehensive investigation" and that "all production involving horses shut down" following the death of a 3rd horse.
I think the series has been dreadful, both in terms of animal welfare and incomprehensible plot. Very poor indeed.
I think the series has been dreadful, both in terms of animal welfare and incomprehensible plot. Very poor indeed.
I will second that. I gave up after the third episode. It’s absolute drivel and a waste of Dustin Hoffman’s acting talents.
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It is testing the patience.
Why does the Irish girl have to keep using the "C" word?
The action scenes are a joke – switching from close ups when the horses are clearly off the bridle to wide shots when they are all on tight reins.
It is impossible to understand what a lot of the characters are actually saying (the Jockeys agent cannot be interpreted at all).
And yet the RP described it as easily the best horse racing drama EVER, and essential viewing. Yeah right.
From Racing Post today:
USA: Filming on the second series of the hit US racing-based drama Luck has been stopped following the death of a third horse during production.Producers HBO agreed to suspend filming after a demand from the American Humane Association (AHA), the nationwide animal and child welfare group that monitors animal welfare in Hollywood productions.
The first series of critically acclaimed Luck, which stars Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte, is now being shown on Saturday nights on Sky Atlantic in Britain.
The AHA demanded "that all production involving horses shut down" when a third horse was put down after being injured on Tuesday at Santa Anita during production on the second series.
An AHA statement said: "We are also insisting that this stoppage remain in full effect pending a complete, thorough, and comprehensive investigation."
According to the BBC, Tuesday’s accident occurred when the horse was being led to a stable by a groom when it reared and fell back, suffering a head injury.
California Horse Racing Board vet Dr Gary Beck said he had just examined the horse as part of routine health and safety procedures. "The horse was on her way back to the stall when she reared, flipped over backwards, and struck her head on the ground," he said in a statement.
Two horses were put down after being injured in racing scenes during filming on the first series of Luck in 2010 and 2011, which led to accusations of inadeqiuate safety procedures from animal-welfare activists led by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta).
Kathy Guillermo, a Peta vice president, said at the time the group didn’t consider the matter closed.
According to the Blood-Horse, Peta on Tuesday sent complaints about Luck to police in Arcadia, which houses Santa Anita, and an animal humane society in nearby Pasadena.
"Three horses have now died and all the evidence we have gathered points to sloppy oversight, the use of unfit, injured horses, and disregard for the treatment of thoroughbreds," Guillermo said, calling for an immediate halt to filming.
HBO also issued a statement, saying an AHA safety representative was on the spot when Tuesday’s accident took place. They added they were "deeply saddened" by the fatality and were working with AHA on the investigation.
I only watched first episode and have completely forgotten all about it since – such was it’s impact on me! Plot wasn’t easy to follow, racing scenes too much obviously wrong (as said in previous posts here) and the "acting" – well much of it was mumbling to me …
Edited because my post above ended up being on twice and couldn’t find delete post – sorry!
Same here. I gave up after the 1st 3 episodes. Storylines are so slow and don’t mesh together well to me. Feels like 4 separate stories that someone’s just jumbled together any old which way they feel like. None of the characters are likeable
and not enough of the horse racing to keep me interested.It’s awful.
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
And that Mexican trainer Escalante is the most egregious man I’ve ever seen on screen. His jockey has the right to punch him in the face and tell him to **** off….and does Nick Nolte’s character make any sense? Just seems to mumble. The wheelchair punter is also vile, calling everyone a ‘degenerate’. Not sure why Hoffmann is doing it to be honest!
What a pile of shite.
Even though critical opinion of the show in the US has been overwhelmingly excellent, the ratings have been downright abysmal and public opinion has turned against the show. Unfortunately PETA is connecting the three fatalities during filming to the brutality of the sport as a whole, so this is actually hurting the already wounded perception of horse racing in America.
HBO ordered a second season a while ago, so they’re screwed.
Second series has been cancelled. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art … d089ee9840
Haven’t seen it so can’t comment on how good it is.
Graham Cunningham, racing TV broadcaster in the UK and freelance writer: "5 horses killed in action in 2 days at the Cheltenham festival. It’s a hard trade off but one millions buy into in uk and ire"
He has a point…in the US 5 dead horses in 2 days on one track would be considered an utter catastrophe and would lead to the immediate suspension of racing on that track. If those deaths occurred in a major televised meet (i.e. the Breeders Cup) horse racing itself would be in serious jeopardy in this country, from fans and legislators.
In other words, I get the feeling that if Luck were a UK-based show they’d just keep on filming with little to no backlash.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17364029
More on the subject. The characters in this series are pretty hateful. Losers, cheats and gangsters. Not a storyline to fill you with glee for sure.
While I have no love for PETA, the series is probably best put out of its misery. I watched the first two episodes and gave up on it myself. Dire stuff that makes racing look like a numbers game for mugs and down’n’outs. The plot was like something from a cheesy Rockstar video game.Graham Cunningham, racing TV broadcaster in the UK and freelance writer: "5 horses killed in action in 2 days at the Cheltenham festival. It’s a hard trade off but one millions buy into in uk and ire"
He has a point…in the US 5 dead horses in 2 days on one track would be considered an utter catastrophe and would lead to the immediate suspension of racing on that track. If those deaths occurred in a major televised meet (i.e. the Breeders Cup) horse racing itself would be in serious jeopardy in this country, from fans and legislators.
In other words, I get the feeling that if Luck were a UK-based show they’d just keep on filming with little to no backlash.
I’d hope that the UK wouldn’t commission such a load of rubbish!
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