Redford likewise assisted in the production of the documentary Buck. Brannaman also doubled for Robert Redford in the film and served as the consultant. The main character, according to writer Nicholas Evans, is modeled after horse whisperers Tom Dorrance, Ray Hunt and, in particular, their younger disciple Buck Brannaman. Background Īlthough he had already directed several films, this was the first time Robert Redford directed a film that he also starred in.

Gloria Lynne Henry as Member of Magazine Staffīetty Buckley appeared as an ex-girlfriend of Tom Booker but was cut from the film.

Jessalyn Gilsig as Lucy, Annie's assistant.

Annie departs, driving away from the ranch, while Tom watches her go from the top of a hill. He felt that he didn't need more, he knows she is not sure how she feels about him, and now he wants her to make a choice, and not to come home until she is sure.Īlthough Annie wishes she could stay with Tom on the ranch, she also knows that she belongs to the city, just like Tom's wife. As the MacLeans get ready to leave the ranch, Robert tells Annie that he knows he loved her more than she loved him, and that if he could be a better father, husband, or lawyer then it didn't matter, he did it all for the love he had for her. Soon, with Tom's help, Grace finally takes the last step to heal herself and Pilgrim – riding Pilgrim again. Annie is increasingly torn by her feelings for Tom and her love for her family. The status quo between Annie and Tom is broken when Robert MacLean, Grace's father and Annie's husband, unexpectedly shows up at the ranch. At first, Grace is reluctant, but eventually gathers up her courage, and tearfully describes the accident.

Tom also asks Grace to tell him what happened with her and Pilgrim to understand what Pilgrim is feeling. However, they are both reluctant to act on these feelings – Annie is married and Tom had his heart broken before (his wife left him because she belonged in the city).

Grace reluctantly agrees, and she and Annie go to stay at the Booker ranch where Tom lives with his brother and his brother's family.Īs Pilgrim and Grace slowly overcome their trauma, Annie and Tom begin to develop a mutual attraction. Tom agrees to help, but only if Grace also takes part in the process. Grace's mother Annie, a strong-minded and workaholic magazine editor, refuses to allow it sensing that somehow Grace's recovery is linked with Pilgrim's.ĭesperate for a way to heal both Grace and Pilgrim, Annie tracks down a ' horse whisperer', Tom Booker, in the remote Montana mountains. Meanwhile, Pilgrim is traumatized and uncontrollable to the extent that it is suggested he be put down. Grace, left with a partially amputated right leg, is bitter and withdrawn after the accident. Judith and Gulliver are killed, while Grace and Pilgrim are both severely injured. Both horses fall, dragging the girls onto a road and get hit by a tractor-trailer. As they ride up an icy slope, Gulliver slips and hits Pilgrim. New York teenager Grace MacLean and her best friend Judith go out early one winter's morning to ride their horses, Pilgrim and Gulliver. 4 Horse training methods and controversies.

The whisperer short film