Sidney Lumet directed this film version of Peter Shaffer s dramatic play, transforming theatrical symbolism into cinematic realism. Richard Burton received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his performance as Martin Dysert, a psychiatrist determined to unravel the disturbed mind of Alan Strang (Peter Firth), a young stableboy. In a fit of rage, Strang has blinded a stable of six horses. The court then assigns Dysert to probe the young man`s mind in order to understand why he committed such a violent act. But the doctor, who is battling demons of his own, wonders if he can save the boy--and whether saving him at all is the right thing to do. Joan Plowright stands out as Dora Strang, the young boy`s mother.