The Black Stallion (1979)

Instant Favorite.

Best movie ever!

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Blistering performances.

Though the camera-work in "The Black Stallion" was often-times quite impressive. Indeed.... For the most part - I found myself frequently "riding the fence" when it came to my overall appreciation for this 1979 adventure picture about an ordinary boy and a magnificent horse.I mean - When you really think about it - How can one really be taken in by this film's cinematic splendour when it becomes quite apparent that the only likable character in this picture was, of course, the horse? (which, by the way, wasn't black, at all - but, instead, a very deep, dark brown) Set in the year 1946 - Yes. This film's attention to detail was certainly noteworthy, at times (with many of the latter scenes shot in Toronto) - But, unfortunately, its 2-hour running time turned into a major endurance test for me, where just about every scene seemed to be unnecessarily prolonged beyond the point of rational comprehensibility.

While traveling with his father (Hoyt Axton), young Alec becomes fascinated by a mysterious Arabian stallion who is brought on board and stabled in the ship he is sailing on. When it tragically sinks both he and the horse survive only to be stranded on a desert island.This film is noted for its beautiful cinematography. Indeed, some of the scenes have no words at all and rely on the horse and the island to tell the tale. And whether it is a good tale or not, it is a good-looking one.Unfortunately, I watched it on the DVD from MGM, which only hints at the bright and brilliant colors. My assumption is the new Criterion disc will take the negative and give it the quality it deserves. If so, I would be more than happy to give the picture an extra star.

OH MY GOD! We know that time can dull one's recollections about certain experiences in our lives, but this really surprised us. Of course we hadn't seen THE BLACK STALLION ever since its initial release. This was so long ago that our kids, now ages 39 and 42, were in Grade School. It was another era, when there were still the vestiges of the old Neighborhood Theatre systems. In our case, it was the COLONY THEATRE, located at 59th Street & Kedzie Avenue on the Southwest Side of Chicago. WE DO RECALL that the film was very well photographed, had a fine cast and was dominated with a "Can't Miss" storyline featuring a young boy and the relationship between him and a Black Arabian Stallion. "UPON FURTHER REVIEW", just a few days ago, we rediscovered what certainly is one of the outstanding films of its day. There is very little of the story to truly critique. It posses a great style in story telling; wasting little time in moving the narrative from the Mediteranaen Sea along North Africa's Barbary Coast in that first Post World War II year of 1946. WE ARE TREATED to a succession of scenes that range from our young hero's traveling with his Poker playing Father on board what can only be described as a 'Tramp Steamer', to a spectacularly staged ship fire, then a mutual rescue of boy and horse. The photography is truly first rate here; as it is through the entire picture. FOLLOWING THE ONBOARD ship setting and continuing for what is easily a third of the film, the action is as a Silent Movie; with the narrative being reliant on the actions, expressions and body language of both the young man and the stallion. Stranded and alone on the rugged dessert coast of North Africa, the two survivors are bonded as one. A true friendship develops between the two that is greater than any other.AS ONE WOULD expect, the story moves along; returning to America after a chance rescue; which includes the bringing of the Stallion to the boy's homeland. Then a series of chance happenings leads to their meeting and association with a former Champion Jockey (Mickey Rooney). This leads to the boy riding the Black Stallion in the big race.IT WOULD APPEAR that the story was rendered in a manner not only complementary to the original novel, but also a near perfection in adaptation to screen. THE PRODUCTION WAS the realization of great writer-director Francis Ford Coppola's company; with the well decorated Mr. Coppola's acting as Executive Producer. Mr. Coppola obviously believed in the project and was ready, able and willing to put up his own $$$ to prove it!ALONG WITH SOME other films, THE BLACK STALLION, does an excellent job in showing us the world from the viewpoint of a ten year old.( Our other nominee is Steven Spielberg's ET, right, Schultz?)

This film is very appealing to the eye, inspirational, and touching. Alec Ramsey (Kelly Reno) is on a ship with his father and a very wild black Arabian stallion, which Alec calls Black. A terrible storm happens and only he and Black survive. They end up on a small island and Alec befriends Black. Some travelers stumble across the island and bring them to England, where retired horse trainer, Henry Dailey (Mickey Rooney) helps Alec train Black. I like this film because of the cinematography and the plot. This is a beautiful story and there are a lot of scenes with great angles and close ups which catch my eye. Black is a very pretty, strong and fast horse. The acting is very believable and I can sometimes feel their emotions. My favorite character is Alex because he is able to earn the trust of Black and this is very hard to do. My favorite scene is when Alec is tries to get Black to like him so he gives him some food and after that he puts some food in his hand and then walks around the beach of the island to get the horse to follow him. After a while this turns into a game. If Black follows Alec then he will get some food. Carroll Ballard directs "The Black Stallion" while Melissa Mathison along with Jeanne Rosenberg writes the screen play. Other actors in this film are Clarence Muse (Snoe), Hoyt Axton (Alec's Father), and Ed McNamara (Jake). A message in this film is that you can become friends with any person or any animal and it doesn't matter if you're young or old. Also, everything that happens, happens for a reason. I recommend, "The Black Stallion" for ages 7 to 14. Younger ages may be scared at some of the scenes, but if they are watching with this family, it may not be too scary. Of course, if you are a horse lover, this film is for you and you can add this to your collection. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars. Some of the scenes are a little too short and has too little details, but even with that, this is still a great family film. See how Alec and Black create their friendship in this 1979 film, The Black Stallion. Brianna Hope Beaton, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.