The Black Stallion (1979)

86% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(31,613 ratings)

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 travelling back to the United States by ship, Alec discovers a wild, beautiful Arabian stallion being… More 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 travelling 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

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Rating, Runtime: G, 2 hr.
Directed By: Carroll Ballard
Written By: Melissa Mathison, Jeanne Rosenberg, William D. Wittliff
Genres: Action & Adventure, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1979 Limited
On DVD: Sep 10, 1997
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Frank Rich, TIME Magazine
Ballard's sumptuous images exist only to distract from his rather conventional failings of craftsmanship.
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.
Michael Booth, Denver Post
Deepens into a far more powerful entertainment through matchless cinematography and talented supporting players.
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.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The film represents a studied, sophisticated approach to instinctual emotions: it's carefully, calculatingly naive, and amazingly it works.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Breathtakingly beautiful, truly magical movie.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A simple film, sentimental but not mawkish, as enjoyable for adults as it is for children.
, Time Out
A magnificently well-crafted movie.
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
First-rate adaptation of the well-loved children's classic
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Beautifully phortographed and surprisingly good.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Tells the enchanting story of a boy whose life is enriched by his relationship with a magnificent horse.
, Film4
This is an intelligent, moving and insightful nature drama that far exceeds its 'for kids' tag.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
One of those rare family films that goes on to earn true Classic status.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lucas M

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… More
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 unlikely 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.
Sergio G

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… More
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 boy 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.
erika b

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 between the… More
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 between 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.
Jennifer D

I watched this as a kid, but I honestly do not remember the second half of it. Strange.
Leigh R

Great film.
Richard F

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"… More
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 the 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.
Lee K

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.
Leo L

A personal favorite.
Patrick D

I think I saw it as a kid and was bored.