The Black Stallion (A or 4/4 stars)
'The Black Stallion' (adapted from a popular novel & directed by Carroll Ballard) tells the tale of Alec Ramsey (Kelly Reno), an 11 yr. old boy touring the world with his salesman father (Hoyt Axton). While travelling back to home to America by ship, Alec is overwhelmed by the ship's exotic passengers, the poker game his dad plays at, but mostly of an Arabian black stallion that he discovers & comforts with sugar cubes. Alec quickly falls in love with the wild & beautiful stallion. But when a ferocious storm strikes at sea, the ship tragically sinks, and Alec & the black stallion are the only survivors.
Alone together on a desert island, the boy patiently tries to tame the horse; where they learn to trust one another, & we witness them become friends. When a rescue party finally finds Alec, he refuses to leave the isle without the stallion, & the horse goes with him to the small village that is his home. Alec's mom (Teri Garr doesn't quite know what to do with this great but difficult animal. Henry Dailey (Mickey Rooney), an elderly horse trainer who lives nearby, senses a connection btwn. Alec & his stallion. He's convinced that with proper training, and with the boy as his jockey ... that the horse could be a champion racer.
1st-time director Carroll Ballard captures the mysterious relationship btwn. animals & humans, treating this majestic horse with the same respect as his human cast. Kelly Reno is stellar as the adorable young boy. See, 'Black Stallion' is a quiet film. Reno doesn't talk much. So it's impressive how much emotion & verisimilitude he conveys with so little dialogue. I also liked Mickey Rooney as the wise old trainer who sets up a match btwn. Alec's stallion & 2 other spirited steeds.
But the star of this movie has to be Caleb Deschanel's awe-inspiring cinematography. The terrifying shipwreck, the ethereal scenes btwn. Alec & the stallion on the beach (shot on the Mediterranean Sea), the triumphant race scenes ... Deschanel films it all beautifully. 'The Black Stallion' is that rare family film that will resonate with adults as much as their kids. As mentioned, the film is quiet, at times - slow, but it lovingly shows the beauty that can form btwn. humans & animals. The movie takes it's time; allowing the images to do the work and to let the drama unfold properly. I just loved it. Simply put, 'TBS' is magical.
Alone together on a desert island, the boy patiently tries to tame the horse; where they learn to trust one another, & we witness them become friends. When a rescue party finally finds Alec, he refuses to leave the isle without the stallion, & the horse goes with him to the small village that is his home. Alec's mom (Teri Garr doesn't quite know what to do with this great but difficult animal. Henry Dailey (Mickey Rooney), an elderly horse trainer who lives nearby, senses a connection btwn. Alec & his stallion. He's convinced that with proper training, and with the boy as his jockey ... that the horse could be a champion racer.
1st-time director Carroll Ballard captures the mysterious relationship btwn. animals & humans, treating this majestic horse with the same respect as his human cast. Kelly Reno is stellar as the adorable young boy. See, 'Black Stallion' is a quiet film. Reno doesn't talk much. So it's impressive how much emotion & verisimilitude he conveys with so little dialogue. I also liked Mickey Rooney as the wise old trainer who sets up a match btwn. Alec's stallion & 2 other spirited steeds.
But the star of this movie has to be Caleb Deschanel's awe-inspiring cinematography. The terrifying shipwreck, the ethereal scenes btwn. Alec & the stallion on the beach (shot on the Mediterranean Sea), the triumphant race scenes ... Deschanel films it all beautifully. 'The Black Stallion' is that rare family film that will resonate with adults as much as their kids. As mentioned, the film is quiet, at times - slow, but it lovingly shows the beauty that can form btwn. humans & animals. The movie takes it's time; allowing the images to do the work and to let the drama unfold properly. I just loved it. Simply put, 'TBS' is magical.