Casey’s Shadow (1978): Cast & Plot
Casey’s Shadow is a 1978 family drama directed by Martin Ritt, starring Michael Hershewe as Casey Bourdelle, Walter Matthau and Andrew Rubin. It runs 1 hour 57 minutes.
- Release year
- Runtime
- 1h 57m (117 min)
- Director
- Martin Ritt
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Rastar Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Casey’s Shadow About?
The premise of Casey’s Shadow without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In a chaotic, mixed‑up family that’s unlikely to win a million‑dollar prize, young Casey, raised among racehorse trainers, puts his hopes on his inseparable companion—a foal named Casey’s Shadow that may turn out to be a true champion.
Casey’s Shadow Themes & Keywords
· 28 tags- horse movie
- horse sport
- outdoor sport
- racehorse
- african american
- black american
- family relationships
- chicken farmer
- based on short story
- horse trainer
- buying a horse
- jockey
+16 more Show fewer
- father son relationship
- brother brother relationship
- three brothers
- horse breeding
- against the odds
- horse owner
- poverty
- wealth
- ruidoso new mexico
- quarter horse racing
- quarter horse
- spanking
- louisiana
- cajun
- horse racing
- character name in title
Casey’s Shadow Cast & Characters
Michael Hershewe leads the cast as Casey Bourdelle, with Walter Matthau as Lloyd Bourdelle and Andrew Rubin as Buddy Bourdelle. Directed by Martin Ritt; 13 actors are credited in all.
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Director Martin Ritt
- Michael Hershewe as Casey Bourdelle
-
Walter Matthau as Lloyd Bourdelle - Andrew Rubin as Buddy Bourdelle
- Steve Burns as Randy Bourdelle
Also Starring in Casey’s Shadow
· 9 more- Robert Webber Mike Marsh
- Susan Myers Kelly Marsh
- Harry Caesar Calvin Lebec
- Alexis Smith Sarah Blue
- Whit Bissell Dr. Williamson
- Murray Hamilton Tom Patterson
- Joel Fluellen Jimmy Judson
- William Thomas Jockey
- Justin Buford Kid
More from Martin Ritt
More films directed by Martin Ritt, best-rated first: Sounder, Hombre, Norma Rae and Hud.
Casey’s Shadow Plot Summary
What happens in Casey’s Shadow from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Lloyd Bourdelle, a down-on-his-luck Louisiana horse trainer, clings to a stubborn dream of winning the All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico. He shares that dream with his three sons, each playing a different part in the family’s racing world: Buddy Bourdelle helps train the horses, Randy Bourdelle rides as a jockey, and Casey Bourdelle is eager to prove his own pace and courage. To hustle a bit of quick money, they take Casey and Randy to a small bush track to pit Casey’s pony Gypsy against a rival, where they pull a mischievous trick on Mike Marsh and his daughter Kelly Marsh by tying a live chicken to Gypsy’s saddle.
Full summary
The whole story of Casey’s Shadow, scene by scene
Casey’s Shadow Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Casey’s Shadow.
How Well Do You Know Casey’s Shadow?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What name does Lloyd give to the colt that is renamed in honor of his son?
Cars in Casey’s Shadow
30 cars on screen, including the 1955 Ford F-100 and the 1974 Checker Taxicab.
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1955 Ford F-100 Main role -
1974 Checker Taxicab Minor role -
1971 Ford F-Series Minor role -
1973 GM C/K-Series Minor role
Seen Casey’s Shadow?
Movies Like Casey’s Shadow
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Horse Crazy, The Derby Stallion and The Story of Seabiscuit.
Casey’s Shadow FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Casey’s Shadow, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Casey’s Shadow?
Casey’s Shadow runs 1 hour 57 minutes (117 minutes).
When was Casey’s Shadow released?
Casey’s Shadow was released in 1978.
Who directed Casey’s Shadow?
Casey’s Shadow was directed by Martin Ritt.
More films by Martin Ritt Who is in the cast of Casey’s Shadow?
Casey’s Shadow stars Michael Hershewe as Casey Bourdelle, Walter Matthau as Lloyd Bourdelle and Andrew Rubin as Buddy Bourdelle, among 13 credited actors.
Does Casey’s Shadow have a post-credit scene?
No. Casey’s Shadow has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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