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| Tookey's Review |
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| Pro Reviews |
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| Mixed Reviews |
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| Released: |
2004 |
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| Genre: |
SPORTS
FOREIGN
DOCUMENTARY
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| Origin: |
Netherlands |
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| Colour: |
C |
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| Length: |
89 |
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A lovely little film about the Italian horserace called the Palio, in which horses run round a square in Siena, in search of glory. This is not to be confused with the British sport the Palios, in which journalists circle the Football Association headquarters in Soho Square in search of scandal.
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Reviewed by Chris Tookey
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Dutch director John Appel is understandably fascinated by this unique race, dating from the fourteenth century; and though an outsider he does a fine job of showing just how uniquely Italian this event is.
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He sees the race from the point of view of Siena’s smallest district, Civetta, where they haven’t had a victory for 24 years. This one's stronger on atmosphere than narrative; there might have been some discussion of the race’s alleged cruelty; the pace could have been racier; and I'd like to have seen more of the climactic race. But I’d recommend this one if you are at all interested in local pride, sporting passion or simply this picturesque part of Tuscany. And don’t think for a moment that this is about horses – it’s very much about humanity.
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