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Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney, Teri Garr, Clarence Muse, Hoyt Axton ... see more see more... , Michael Higgins , Ed McNamara , Doghmi Larbi , John Burton , John Buchanan , Kristen Vigard , Fausto Tozzi , John Karlsen , Leopoldo Trieste

This beautifully mounted adaptation of Walter Farley's story for children tells the tale of Alec (Kelly Reno), a young boy touring the world with his adventurous salesman father (Hoyt Axton). While tr... read more read more...avelling back to the United States by ship, Alec discovers a wild, beautiful Arabian stallion being brought along in the cargo hold. When disaster strikes at sea, the ship sinks, and Alec and the stallion are the only survivors. Alone together on a nearby island, the boy and the horse develop a relationship; wary of each other at first, they learn to trust each other, and they become close friends. When a rescue party finally finds Alec, he refuses to leave the island without the stallion, and the horse goes with Alec to the small town that is his home. Alec's mother (Teri Garr) is at a loss about what to do with this remarkable but difficult animal. Henry Dailey (Mickey Rooney), an elderly horse trainer who lives in the neighborhood, senses a special connection between the boy and his horse; he's soon convinced that with the right training, and the boy as his jockey, the horse could be a champion on the race course. First-time director Carroll Ballard captures the mysterious relationship between humans and animals, treating the stallion with the same intelligence and respect as the rest of his cast; he also draws fine, understated performances from Kelly Reno and Mickey Rooney, and Caleb Deschanel's photography makes this a feast for the eyes. The Black Stallion is that rare contemporary family film that will fascinate adults as much as their kids, if not more so. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

75% liked it

31,613 ratings

Critics

86% liked it

22 critics

G, 2 hr.

Directed by: Carroll Ballard

Release Date: January 1, 1979

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DVD Release Date: September 10, 1997

Stats: 838 reviews

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The Black Stallion Alec and Shetan! alec and the black! Kelly Reno Alec Mickey Rooney in The Black Stallion Alec & henry actor/kelly-reno Mickey Rooney in The Black Stallion The Black Stallion
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Flixster Reviews (838)

  • fb100002359227440
    December 24, 2011
    fb100002359227440
    With a terrific visual treat, Carroll Ballard's The Black Stallion, is a interesting film, that show a friendship between men and the wild nature. The absence of speech, in the first scenes of the film, it's a very good way, to the audience see, slowly, the construction of an unl... read moreikely amity. But, when the character Alec (Kelly Reno) meet Henry (Mickey Rooney), the movie begin stay boring, and make some members of the audience don't want to see more The Black Stallion. Anyway, in the finals scenes, the film return to be a nice entertainment. With a dedicated direction, amazing photography by Caleb Deschanel and captivating acting by Kelly Reno and Cass Ole.
  • sergioogarcia
    July 12, 2011
    sergioogarcia
    I saw this movie yesterday. What a bunch of good memories. I loved the art put on it by Francis Ford Coppola. It's a beautiful movie in every aspect, specially the story and photography. Almost a silent movie but it's what adds more beauty to some scenes, specially that when the ... read moreboy feeds Black on the beach. Fantastic. It's a classic and sure will remain as that for the rest of times. For new viewers it could be a little slow and out of date, but you should remember that this was the first adaptation of Walter's novel.
  • erika250
    May 30, 2011
    erika250
    The black stallion is about a boy and horse that gets stuck on a far away island. When the boy realizes that there will not be any one to help them for a while. At first the hors a wild one but the boy tamed the horse with his magic tounch with animals. Over time the bond betwee... read moren the kid and horse became so close that when boy was going to get off the island he would not go without the horse. When he gets back city He talks a man into taking the bond that the boy and horse have to the racing world. Will the boy win first prize or loose be big.
    Pros
    Good acting and plot.
    Really moving.
    Shows how an animal has an impact on human being.
    Con
    The beginning of the film was lacking and has no exciting happening in first 12 minutes.
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    November 6, 2010
    MeetMeinMontauk
    I watched this as a kid, but I honestly do not remember the second half of it. Strange.
  • dreamfaeries
    November 9, 2006
    dreamfaeries
    Great film.
  • sportsphenom1
    November 27, 2009
    sportsphenom1
    After 1500 ratings and nearly 400 reviews, I've never written the words "I'm speechless", until now. This movie is pure magic, irresistible, and (with a high-definition transfer) a perfect film. Francis Ford Coppola's production "The Black Stallion" ranks up there with some of th... read moree best films which involve him as a director, including "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now". There's no film that deserves a higher recommendation for a family viewing than this gem.
  • leekyle1968
    July 22, 2008
    leekyle1968
    Another childhood favorite that i adore and watch to this day. Young Kelly Reno was fantastic in this timeless classic about a boy and his horse.
  • ileo
    December 26, 2007
    ileo
    A personal favorite.
  • patrickdol
    September 21, 2007
    patrickdol
    I think I saw it as a kid and was bored.
  • deereagle
    January 23, 2009
    deereagle
    Little words and the most beautiful photography.... It helps that I am a horse lover. Nothing beats a child and his/her relationship with a horse.







    The photography in this movie was incredible few words and a lot going on.

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Critic Reviews

Frank Rich
December 11, 2007
Frank Rich, TIME Magazine

Ballard's sumptuous images exist only to distract from his rather conventional failings of craftsmanship. Full Review

Variety Staff
December 11, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

Carroll Ballard's feature debut is rich in adventure, suspense and mythical elements and marks the prize-winning short-subjects director as a major talent. Full Review

Michael Booth
May 11, 2007
Michael Booth, Denver Post

Deepens into a far more powerful entertainment through matchless cinematography and talented supporting players. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 9, 2005
Janet Maslin, New York Times

The director, Carroll Ballard, and the cinematographer, Caleb Deschanel, have captured so many lavishly beautiful images that the cumulative effect is one of repetition. Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

The film represents a studied, sophisticated approach to instinctual emotions: it's carefully, calculatingly naive, and amazingly it works. Full Review

Nell Minow
December 28, 2010
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media

Breathtakingly beautiful, truly magical movie. Full Review

December 11, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A simple film, sentimental but not mawkish, as enjoyable for adults as it is for children. Full Review

February 9, 2006
Time Out

A magnificently well-crafted movie. Full Review

Daniel Eagan
February 11, 2005
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International

First-rate adaptation of the well-loved children's classic

Ken Hanke
September 9, 2004
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Beautifully phortographed and surprisingly good.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Black Stallion Trivia

  • Name the actor who was the mentor for Alec in the movie 'The Black Stallion'. Hint: He shares the last name of the humorist on '60 minutes'.  Answer »
  • in the movie the black stallion, what type of horse is the back?  Answer »
  • In the Black Stallion, what did the boy call the horse?  Answer »
  • What was the name of the Black Arabian stallion who portrayed The Black in both The Black Stallion and the Black Stallion Returns movies?  Answer »
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