The Black Stallion (1979)

The Black Stallion is one of those boy and a horse stories that Hollywood used to make a lot of. Fittingly it's set in the more innocent times of 1946. In many ways it's a souped up version of the old television series Fury. Also the story of a Black Stallion and the boy who loved him.Young Kelly Reno and his father Hoyt Axton are on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean Sea when it goes down with all hands save for Reno and a black horse. Both make it to an island and it's on that island which takes up about a quarter of the film running time where the two bond. Little dialog if any, but some beautiful music showing the kid spearing for fish to survive and the horse running magnificently on the beach.When they make it back to the States young Reno and The Black Stallion have the good fortune to run into Mickey Rooney former jockey and horse trainer and that itself is a tale I won't tell. Rooney tells him though the horse has speed he has no pedigree, no papers from the Thoroughbred Racing Association. Still Rooney as always is resourceful and the two do find a way to make The Black Stallion a cash cow.The Black Stallion afforded Mickey Rooney a last chance at some Oscar recognition with a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. No longer the fresh kid of his salad days Rooney is now a bald wizened old man who is touching as the former racetrack denizen who reaches for glory one more time. He, Reno and the horse have some wonderful scenes together.The Black Stallion, a wonderful family film that still holds up well after almost 40 years.

Director Ballard and cinematographer Deschanel, along with composer Carmine Coppola create an amazing ambiance for the actors to work within. This film is something of a precursor to "E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial," as both had screenplays by Melissa Mathison, and both have a boy and his horse/alien with a wordless, symbiotic understanding between them. Child actor Kelly Reno (Alec Ramsey) could have easily played Elliot in "E.T." One wonders if he were in the running for that part."The Black Stallion" is also quite evidently a precursor and inspiration for "Chariots of Fire" (1981). The images of the boy and the horse running along the beach have similar optical effects to that of the young Brits running along the beach in "Chariots." Interestingly, actor Hoyt Axton (portraying Alec's father) plays a melody on flute in an early "Black Stallion" scene which is indeed the "Chariots of Fire" theme, but with a different tempo and duration of notes. Vangelis undoubtedly saw this, but when he was brought to court for plagiarism the judge ruled in his favour (instead of composer Carmine Coppola)."The Black Stallion" is a beautiful work of art.

One of the great geniuses of the cinema, Carroll Ballard, bring us a story about a boy and a horse. Big deal, you say. There's lots of stories and movies about horses, and the people who love them. But here we have an intimate tale of two living beings bonding with one another. Both are innocent, and come to terms with one another on a deep soulful level.Any human who's ever cared for another living creature and has experienced the joy of unconditional love from that creature, will be moved and relive those days. The incredible shot setups from Ballard energize the film with tenderness and a level of intimacy that is very difficult to catch on visual medium. But here we are given glimpses and gazes of a friendship between two very different souls by Ballard. His cinematography, in my opinion, is unsurpassed by any contemporary. Ballard shows us the development of the relationship between boy and horse, and makes us feel as if we are witnessing something special, which we are. Each shot is almost voyeuristic, as if we're seeing something that most people don't ever get to see, and should feel privileged upon witnessing it.The second half of the film is a bit more prosaic, but we're still witnessing the tale of adventure and friendship, as the two face challenges of the real world, and how they ultimately overcome obstacles presented by that very same world.I wish I had more to say, but the film speaks for itself. It is predominantly a "children's film", so to speak, but incredibly high caliber of film making that Carroll Ballard brings to every project he lays hands to, elevates the genre from a wink-and-a-nod G-Rated kids' film, to a movie that's truly meant for all "General Audiences" of all ages.It is superbly crafted and executed by one of the all time great cinematographers of our time.Do not miss this one with your young ones.

The Black Stallion is the best this is what real good movie is most times of the movie just the boy and the horse no much talking but much events and feelings - the best two scenes i love 1st when the boy (Kelly Reno ) give the horse food . 2nd when the horse protected the boy from a snake . Kelly Reno : one movie made him a legend in my opinion . i did not see other movies for him i guess he did not act much but he is a good actor . the director he control in good way all his tools to made a good movie like that At the end if you did not watch till now you should do it now - this is the best classic movie . thank you for all cast .