About Pit Pony

Released in 1997, Pit Pony is a Canadian film which is directed by Eric Till. The film is based on the 1990 novel by the same name, written by Joyce Barkhouse. The movie highlights the life of a young boy working in coal mines in Eastern Canada during the early 1900s, and his relationship with a horse named Gem.

Making / Production

The film was a close collaboration between CBC Television and the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation, shot on location in Nova Scotia. After its successful run, it later spun off to a TV series that aired from 1999 to 2000.

Actors

• Ben Rose-Davis as Willie MacLean, the young miner boy, gave an emotional, heartfelt performance.
• Richard Donat played Willie's father, John MacLean, depicting the struggle of a hardworking miner in a sensitive manner.
• Andrew Keilty as Nipper, Willie's close childhood friend, delivered an impressive performance.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The movie is based on a bestselling novel of the same name by Joyce Barkhouse.
• This movie was followed by a critically acclaimed TV series, which ran for two seasons.

Quotes

• Willie MacLean: "You're not just a pit pony, Gem. You're my friend."
• John MacLean: "That pit's a hard place, Willie. But we do for family."

Music, Soundtrack

• The movie's music was composed by John Welsman, adding emotional plethora to the storyline.