Touching Wild Horses
www.thedqtimes.com

Touching Wild Horses

Viewer Comments

We thoroughly enjoyed this movie. The movie was family friendly.
The chemistry between Jane and the young man who played her nephew was perfect.After seeing this movie we can understand why they wanted Jane for the part. She stepped into this role and made the character her own.
We would highly recommend this movie.. It is a four star...thumbs up winner!

Penny & Paul
Ohio



Thanks to receiving notice from a friend I recently was able to attend a showing of Jane Seymour’s movie, Touching Wild Horses at the Seattle International Film Festival. Having heard a little about the movie from friends that had seen it I was thrilled to have it play fairly close to my home in Portland, Oregon. So on Saturday, May 31st I made the 3 ½ hour trip up I-5 to Seattle and back just to see a 90 minute movie! It was well worth the trip. My friends were right about telling me how beautiful it was.

The photography reminded me of some of the wonderful scenes in another movie classic, The Black Stallion. There is just something magical about wild horses running on a beach. Both movies take advantage of this situation and the result is some of the most exquisite photography I have seen in a film in a long time.

The story centers around a young boy, Mark, who is sent to live with his Aunt Fiona, after his father, and sister are killed in a tragic automobile accident and his mother is left in a coma. Fiona has lived on Sable Island, off the coast of Nova Scotia for more than 20 years, were she studies the wild horses that inhabit the island. Fiona and sometimes a Park Ranger are the only human’s on the island and she likes it this way – she does not want to interact with people, much preferring to spend her time photographing the horses. Mark and Fiona do not start off on the right foot with each other, Mark telling her that he does not want to be there and Fiona replying back that she does not want him there either, but “Life isn’t fair, get used to it”. She considers the horses her “family” and certainly does not want to have to deal with a 12 year old nephew.

Fiona is gruff, nasty and all together a rather unpleasant person. Jane is wonderful depicting Fiona at her worst, very reminiscent of the first part of another movie, Matters of the Heart. Mark is expected to do schoolwork, learn to cook and perform other chores around the small shack that Fiona calls home. At first resistant to her “rules” he gradually takes up the challenge and begins to excel. It is the mutual love of the horses and gradually brings the two of them together.

I loved the movie. It was a beautiful, moving story and both Jane and the young actor who plays Mark are terrific. Both have to play characters who have to overcome great personal losses in their lives and learn to work together and ultimately learn to love each other. This is very much my type of movie. I love the human condition type stories and the fact that if features horses AND Jane is a definite plus. Two thumbs way, way up on this one!!

Debbie
Oregon



I recently viewed Jane Seymour's movie, Touching Wild Horses, it was really nice to see her acting in this film. The story was very touching and the acting was believable for the two main characters of the aunt and the boy. The directing and acting were well done, the cinematography was beautifully filmed, and the scenery was enchanting for this movie. I enjoyed the music and the delightful horses used in the film. Jane Seymour rises to her superb acting talents in this film, she is so refreshing in this role. I liked this movie and hope to see it again many times.

Pam-California



I saw this film at the seattle film festival on 5/31/03. the movie was well attended, with a good cross section of age groups. the photography and music is just great ( i would hope that a book and c d come on on this) now to the acting and story. it takes very good actors to pull off a story when there are only two main characters. both actors played off each other in a way that made you forget you were watching a film. time limits prevented the story from taking another road ( adventures after leaving the island)

Rose- Washington

I had the pleasure of seeing this film at the Tribeka film festival. I hadactually seen it prior to this but in ‘French’ accompanied by a written English translation. Even in this format, I enjoyed it thoroughly; but needless to say seeing it in English, let alone on a big screen, was a far moresatisfying experience.

The word that comes to mind when I think about how to describe this film is ‘real’. It doesn’t explode onto the screen with car chases and special effects, instead it quietly steals into your heart. These are characters one can relate to; for we’ve all at some point in our lives, experienced some form of loss.

Jane Seymour reaches new heights in her performance as Fiona. She is nearly unrecognizable both in appearance and manner as the severe, withdrawn, scientist, who has lived for 20 years, isolated from the world on Sable Island with nothing but wild horses and a rigid park ranger for company. This character could easily have been one dimensional, had it been anyone but Jane Seymour in the role. Jane however, manages to convey a vulnerability in Fiona which shines through even when the character is at her worst; which is exactly what the writer presumably intended.

Mark Rendall gives his all as well to his role as Mark, who like Fiona, is trapped behind a wall of pain.

The cinematography is magical, as is the sight of the wild horses galloping freely through the barren landscape.

I was fascinated watching the walls break down between these two characters, and a bond slowly develop.  The chemistry between the two actors is palpable and very compelling.

Like Dr. Quinn, Touching Wild Horses is about the ‘human condition’. It is a simple film but therein lies its power- for what power on earth is stronger then love? Both Fiona and Mark, have withdrawn inside themselves, afraid of being hurt again.

I had almost given up hope that Hollywood even remembered how to make a film like this anymore. Touching Wild Horses goes straight to the heart. For me, this was a story of how reaching out to another can heal the pain in one’s own heart. It’s a powerful message, especially in today’s ‘me first’ society. If you are tired of just being ‘entertained’ and are looking for a film that will ‘move’ you, then I highly recommend you see Touching Wild Horses.

Mary Ann
Massachusetts


I loved the film - both the story line and the cinematography. It is a very touching character study of the growing/changing relationship between the boy who does not want to be there and the aunt who does not want the responsibility. Jane Seymour and Mark Rendall are outstanding in their portrayals. I hope that the film finds a distributor very soon.

Sue
NY

Touching Wild Horses is a beautiful movie. The strong writing, subtle acting, and superb cinematography worked together to create a compelling story of grief and recovery. It is a character-driven movie that pairs a
women wounded by a painful past with a young boy coping with recent guilt and hurt. Slowly, and not always easily, they help each other emerge from their grief and heal. For me this movie was the best work Jane Seymour has done since Dr. Quinn. She was amazing as was her co-star Mark Rendall.
This film deserves to be in the theater.

Judy, New York

I really enjoyed this film very much. Jane Seymour
and her young co-star had wonderful chemistry
together. This movie was beautifully photographed and
well written and directed. I am looking forward to
seeing this movie again in wide release.

June Birkbeck, New York

I really loved this movie!! I'm a horse lover, so I can't imagine anyting better than a movie with Jane and horses!! I especially liked seeing Jane's character change from a bitter woman, to one that could learn to love again. A wonderful movie!

Joanna W.- Michigan


" 'Touching Wild Horses' is a movie which depicts strength of character and determination. In today's times, if anyone desires to see a movie which will make them feel good, this is the movie to see.

As the story unfolds we see a broken-hearted woman living on a quiet island by herself until she takes in her young nephew, who is going through a tradgedy someone of his years should not be going through. As the story progresses we see two people growing together and becoming "a family".

The story, mixed with breathtaking scenery, and those beautiful horses make this a movie you will not only want to watch, but one you will want to keep in your personal collection".

Sheryl S- New York


Touching Wild Horses was a wonderful movie and it hit many emotional highs and lows. Jane Seymour's portrayal of a bitter, angry woman was very convincing and the softening of her character was a natural progression as she grew to love her nephew. Not only was the movie visually breathtaking, but I feel it was one of Jane Seymour's best.

Arlene- NY

This winter I saw Touching wild Horses on our French TV . It  was on a Sunday afternoon and it had a rather good
score .This story is about a hurt woman who chooses to live  on an island alone with wild horses . She tried to tame
them . It is a very touching one. Jane Seymour is really  moving in it . Her nephew came to live
with her and they learnt to know each other . Like always the chemistry between Jane and the boy is wonderful
Jane shows her great talent! I like it very much I wonder why the American channels don't air this beautiful movie?

Monique from France
My husband and I saw this film Saturday night at the Wine Country Film Festival. We liked it very much. The story was moving and the photography was spectacular. It was amazing that a film with basically two main characters could grab the viewer and pull them in. Both Jane and Mark Rendall did wonderful work. I think my husband was expecting it to be a typical "woman's" film but it wasn't. He enjoyed it every bit as much as I did. This one is definitely a keeper!

Susan and Steve

I was able to catch the screening of this wonderful film this past weekend at the Napa Valley Country Wine Festival here in California. Much to my delight actress Jane Seymour and her husband James Keach attended the screening, and thus the audience was able to watch the film on the big screen along with them.

This movie is a delight to watch on the big screen ,the photography and the beautiful scenery are well done, the music is very alluring too.

I enjoyed seeing it again at this festival, and I was once again drawn into the story of these two very interesting and intense people. Both actors brought out a great performance ,and I will enjoy watching this film for years to come. The directing and screen play right on, the acting just super.

After the screening of the film in Napa Jane answered some questions about the filming of ,Touching Wild Horses, it looked to be a real winner with the audience. I voted for the movie and gave it a 5 being the highest mark a film can receive at this festival. I enjoyed the film very much, and when it came to an end some members of the audience were wiping tears from their cheeks.

I thought it was well worth the five hour drive each way to see the film and Jane.

I wish more quality movies such as these would be produced and can replace the reality shows we have everywhere these days.

Pam Hughes- California

Although I had recently seen the film, "Touching Wild Horses" at the Seattle Film Festival I jumped at the chance to see it again when my friend invited me to join her in Sonoma, California at the Wine Country Film Festival. The festival was featuring Jane Seymour's movie along with a special appearance by Jane.

I was again drawn into the story of the two main characters, both isolated emotionally and in Jane's case, physically, by past events and how they learned to trust again. Jane's character, Fiona, has lived on Sable Island for over 20 years studying the wildlife and in particular the wild horses who inhabit the island. Much to her displeasure she is forced to take in her young nephew, Mark, when his father and sister are killed in a car accident that also left his mother in a coma.

The acting is wonderful, with both Jane and young Mark Rendall turning in outstanding work. The relationship between the two comes across in the screen, building from, "I don't want to be here" to mutual love and respect. The horses are the catalyst that bring them closer and help them to heal from their emotional traumas.

Watching the movie again, this time with good friends, was a special treat made all the more memorable by having Jane in attendance. Following the movie she participated in a A and Q session with one of the Film Festival Hosts. All in all it was a wonderful experience. I highly recommend this movie to any and all who enjoy watching "human condition" type of film.

D. Scott, Oregon

back to main page