Tom Horn
A renowned former army scout is hired by ranchers to hunt down rustlers but finds himself on trial for the murder of a boy when he carries out his job too well. Tom Horn finds that the simple skills he knows are of no help in dealing with the ambitions of ranchers and corrupt officials as progress marches over him and the old west.
- Starring: Steve McQueen, Linda Evans, Richard Farnsworth
- Director(s): William Wiard
- Producer(s): Steve McQueen, Fred Weintraub
- Screenwriter(s): Thomas McGuane, Bud Shrake
- Distributor: Warner Bros.
- Animal Coordinator: Rudy Ugland
- Release Date: Friday, March 28, 1980
Featured Animal Action
The following AHA film review was compiled from archival information and documentation and may not reflect AHA's current criteria for animal action review and rating procedures.
AHA was denied access to the set of Tom Horn to supervise the animal action and as a result, horses were tripped during the making of the film. AHA rated the film Unacceptable and urged a boycott of the movie in a press release stating that "if enough people boycott [the film], the producers are going to get the message that they can't get away with animal cruelty."
The ongoing expansion of the AHA Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media has raised the standard of care for animal actors worldwide. In addition, technological advancements have created safe alternatives to risky action, enabling filmmakers to maintain their creative vision without compromising the welfare of animal actors. AHA continues to be a vigilant watchdog for animals in film and television and acknowledges the groundbreaking history of this program while expanding and refining procedures to reflect increased knowledge and new challenges.