Movie 'Hope' Horseback Action: How Real Is It?

*This content was translated by AI.

As director Na Hong-jin's new film "Hope" heats up the box office, a chase sequence featuring actor Jo In-sung riding a horse through forests and national highways is drawing attention.

Jo In-sung underwent horseback riding training two to three days a week for three months to prepare for these scenes and is reported to have performed major action sequences without relying on CGI.

We examine the realism behind the scenes depicted on screen.

■ How fast do horses move in the film?

While it is impossible to identify the specific breed of horse in the movie, the average top speed of the "Thoroughbred," a Gyeongju breed known as the fastest, is approximately 60 km per hour. According to Guinness World Records, the highest recorded speed for a Gyeongju horse is 70.35 km/h.

An equine expert stated, "The realistic speed achievable on forest trails must be significantly lower than racecourse records."

■ Can horses maintain top speed continuously?

No. This represents the biggest difference between film and reality. Horses are more like sprinters with explosive power rather than marathon runners. Most Gyeongju horse races cover distances of 1,000 to 3,000 meters precisely because galloping at near-top speeds consumes immense energy and cannot be sustained for long periods.

■ Is it possible to snatch a person from a moving horse?

In the film, a scene shows Hyeon-ho (played by Seo Beom-sik), an ocean village leader, riding a horse while grabbing Jo In-sung. The action of holding the reins with one hand and lifting an adult male with the other is practically impossible. Lifting Jo In-sung's body weight with one hand alone is not feasible. It might be possible if the person were a child.

■ Can two people ride a single horse at full speed?

The film includes scenes where two people ride together on one horse. While this may be possible over short distances, it is not recommended as a standard riding practice due to the significant burden placed on the horse. A horse can typically carry no more than 20% of its own body weight. If two adult men ride together, their combined weight would immediately exceed approximately 150 kg. This not only reduces speed but also greatly increases physical strain and safety risks for long-distance travel. However, historically, the emblem of the Knights Templar depicts two knights riding a single horse. While this symbolizes purity, it also serves as proof that such an arrangement was considered possible in reality.

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*This content was translated by AI.