Movie spotlight
Young lovers Jack and Sally are from families that compete to send horses to the 1938 Kentucky Derby, but during the Civil War, her family sided with the South while his sided with the North--and her Uncle Peter will have nothing to do with Jack's family.
In the heart of Kentucky, two feuding families, the Breckinridges and the Goddards, have a centuries-old rivalry centered around horse racing. Sally Sallysown, a spirited young woman from the Breckinridge side, falls for Peter Goddard, a descendant of their bitter rivals. Despite the animosity between their families, Sally and Peter find common ground and a shared passion for horse racing, particularly for "Peter the Great," a promising colt that could finally settle the score between the two clans.
Kentucky was generally well-received by critics and audiences alike for its sweeping historical drama, romantic elements, and exciting horse racing sequences. It was a popular film of its time, praised for its production values and the performances of its lead actors.
Praised for its colorful depiction of Kentucky's horse racing culture and family feuds.
The romantic subplot between the feuding families' heirs was seen as a charming element.
Lauded for its impressive cinematography and exciting race scenes.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this 1938 film is not readily available.
Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Score.
The film features a race between two horses named Peter the Great and "Queen" both sired by the famous Man o' War, adding a touch of real-life racing lineage to the fictional story.
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We start at the outset of the American civil war when the Yankee "Dillon" family seize the thoroughbred horses of the Confederate sympathising "Goodwin" family. It's during this operation that young "Peter Goodwin" sees his father gunned do...