THUNDER AND REINS

46 min., 2007

Director – Bruce Skinner

Thunder and Reins was a very interesting documentary showcasing the lives and accomplishments of jockeys that have won the Kentucky Derby.  The film purposes to illustrate how jockeys go mostly unrecognized and are underappreciated as athletes.  It does well in showing some of the stress and danger that they must face on a daily basis, but seems to have a difficult time finding its voice.  I felt the piece was much too long for the point that the filmmakers were trying to make and seemed to focus more on specific jockeys (over and over) as opposed to their role as a whole.  There was also no mention of female jockeys and their accomplishments – talk about unrecognized.  One line would have been nice.

Daniel Hargrove