Ruffian

"Champions live forever."

2007 1h 29m EN

🙌

8.0

BANGER

★8.0TMDB · 12

DramaTV Movie

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Ruffian is an American made-for-television movie that tells the story of the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame Champion thoroughbred filly Ruffian who went undefeated until her death after breaking down in a nationally televised match race at Belmont Park on July 6, 1975 against the Kentucky Derby winner, Foolish Pleasure. Made by ESPN Original Entertainment, the film is directed by Yves Simoneau and stars Sam Shepard as Ruffian's trainer, Frank Whiteley. The producers used four different geldings in the role of Ruffian. Locations for the 2007 film included Louisiana Downs in Shreveport, Louisiana and Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

“Champions live forever.”

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Cast

Sam Shepard
Frank Whiteley
Frank Whaley
Bill Nack
Laura Bailey
Cassie
Nicholas Pryor
Stuart Janney
Christine Belford
Barbara Janney
Mathew Greer
Dan Williams
Louis Herthum
Dr. Harthill
John McConnell
Tony Pappas

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Yves Simoneau
Writers: Jim Burnstein, Garrett K. Schiff
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

89 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 19 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Yves Simoneau, shot by David Franco. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Michael D. Ornstein shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Sam Shepard and Frank Whaley and Laura Bailey carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Champions live forever.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0499558 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 12 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Yves Simoneau directs. David Franco behind the camera. Michael D. Ornstein cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

189 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
2Released 19 years ago.
3Directed by Yves Simoneau, shot by David Franco. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Editor Michael D. Ornstein shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Sam Shepard and Frank Whaley and Laura Bailey carry the top of the cast.
6Marketing tagline: "Champions live forever.".
7IMDB entry: tt0499558 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 12 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.