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The Horse Thief

Name: The Horse Thief
Genre: Drama
Released: 1986-01-01
Cast: Rigzin Tseshang, Jiji Dan, Jamco Jayang, Daiba, Drashi

1986 | 88 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for anyone who loves a strong drama.
The mood: Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 28 min.
What might put you off: It's in another language, so expect subtitles (or a dub).

Devout Buddhists, Norbu and Dolma live with their young son Tashi in a clan in Tibet. Norbu is a highwayman. After Norbu is charged with stealing from the temple, he and his family are banished. Impoverished and marginalized, they can do little when their beloved son becomes ill. Tashi dies of a fever. After a second son is born, Norbu focuses his every action on keeping this child alive, seeking re-admission to the clan for his wife and child, then risking all to save them from isolation and starvation in winter.

How it earned its rating

CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 15K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by Tian Zhuangzhuang

Rigzin TseshangNorbu
Jiji DanDolma
Jamco JayangTashi
DaibaGranny
DrashiGrandfather
GaobaNowre