The Colt (film)

{{Infobox television

| image = Thecolt DVDcover.jpg

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| genre =

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| writer = Mikhail Sholokhov
Stephen Harrigan

| screenplay =

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| director = Yelena Lanskaya

| starring = Ryan Merriman
Phyllis George
Steve Bacic
William MacDonald
Steve Martin
Darcy Belsher

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| country = United States

| language = English

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| producer = Matthew O'Connor

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| runtime = 120 minutes

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| network = Hallmark Channel

| released = {{Start date|2005|02|06}}

}}

The Colt is a 2005 television movie made for Hallmark Channel.[https://playbackonline.ca/2004/04/26/broadcast-20040426/ "Broadcast: Hallmark up for three summer shoots"] at playbackonline.ca The film is set during the American Civil War,[https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/09/arts/television/a-colt-born-on-a-battlefield-when-men-were-gallant.html "A Colt Born on a Battlefield, When Men Were Gallant"] by Anita Gates at www.nytimes.com and is based on the short story (Жеребёнок, Zherebyonok) by Nobel Prize winner Mikhail Sholokhov.[https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-e9l4ws/the-colt/ The Colt: summary, credtits, plus a review] by Sloan Freer at radiotimes.com

Plot

In 1864, an American Civil War troop struggles to survive when young Union soldier Jim Rabb (Ryan Merriman) discovers that his mare has given birth to a colt. A superior officer orders Jim to shoot the foal because it may become a burden, but Jim - seeing the colt as a sign of hope and a reminder of the beauty of life - refuses. The colt remains with the men as they battle. When Confederates overtake the camp and steal the colt, Jim must risk his life retrieving it.

Cast

Ryan Merriman as Jim Rabb
Steve Bacic as Sgt. Longacre
William MacDonald as Sgt. Woodruff
Darcy Belsher as Convington
Scott Heindl as Lt. Hutton

Critical reviews

Hal Erickson of All Movie Guide called the film "an uplifting tale of unassailable innocence in the midst of America's bloodiest war."{{cite news|title=The Colt Review|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/334324/The-Colt/overview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727185802/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/334324/The-Colt/overview |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 27, 2009 | first=Saki | last=Knafo |department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=The New York Times|date=2009| accessdate=May 25, 2010}}

South Coast Today praised the film, saying its "symbolism is never so heavy-handed as to obscure an intelligent film filled with fine performances."{{cite web|work=South Coast Today|title=Tune in Tonight: 7/9/2005|url=http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/07-05/07-09-05/zzzadtun.htm|date=July 9, 2005}}

Awards

=Won=

2005 FAIF International Film Festival, Judges Choice Award for Best Feature Film
2005 LA Femme Film Festival, Best Director[https://lafemme.org/filmmaker-winners-2005-2010/ Past Filmmaker Winners years 2013-2005] at lafemme.org
2005 WorldFest Houston, Special Jury Award for Feature Made for Television/Cable

=Nominated=

2006 Humanitas Prize, 90 Minute or Longer Category[https://www.humanitasprize.org/prize-nominees Humanitas Prize Nominees - 90 Minute Nominees] at www.humanitasprize.org[https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/humanitas-names-prize-finalists-18428/ "Humanitas Names Prize Finalists"] by Kimberly Nordyke at www.backstage.com[https://variety.com/2006/scene/awards/humanitas-prize-nominees-1200337010/ Humanitas Prize nominees] at variety.com
2006 Writers Guild of America, USA, WGA Award (TV) Long Form - Adapted[https://variety.com/2005/film/awards/peacock-laffers-have-the-write-stuff-1117934597/ "Peacock laffers have the write stuff"] by Dave McNary at variety.com

External links

{{IMDb title|0416654|title=The Colt}}
[http://www.rhifilms.com/property.php?propertyId=Colt The Colt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727182404/http://www.rhifilms.com/property.php?propertyId=Colt |date=2009-07-27 }} at RHI Entertainment