The Rocking Horse (1962): cast, story & where to watch
1962 · Film · ★ 5
Released in 1962, The Rocking Horse is a romance film directed by James Scott, running about 24 minutes.
What it’s about. A chance love affair between a teddy boy and a painter, set in early 1960's London. This was a student film made with the assistance of a BFI grant and its influences include the British Free Cinema movement, John Cassavetes' Shadows (1959) and, for the love scene, Alain Resnais's Hiroshima Mon Amour (France, 1959). The film's young hero is a cross between James Dean's troubled teenager in Rebel Without a Cause (US, 1955) and Albert Finney's defiant mechanic in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (d. Karel Reisz, 1960). Initially portrayed as a self-assured, arrogant and immature teenager, his chance meeting with a pretty, sophisticated middle-class artist reveals a more insecure, fragile side. The climactic love-making scene earned Scott the first X certificate given to an amateur filmmaker. This short film is an extra on the BFI Flipside DVD The Pleasure Girls.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.0/10, The Rocking Horse has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Rocking Horse page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Rocking Horse tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Your Name., Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Cinema Paradiso.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Rocking Horse (1962)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Rocking Horse change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Rocking Horse worth watching?
- The Rocking Horse holds an audience score of 5.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy romance. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- When was The Rocking Horse released?
- The Rocking Horse was released in 1962, with a runtime of about 24 minutes.