The Black Stallion (1979)

Director:

Carroll Ballard

Writers:

Melissa Mathison (screenplay) &
Jeanne Rosenberg (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

17 October 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Family | Sport

Plot:

While traveling with his father, young Alec becomes fascinated by a mysterious Arabian stallion that...

Plot Keywords:

Horse | Training | Loss Of Father | Single Mother | Barn

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Kelly Reno	...	Alec Ramsey
Mickey Rooney	...	Henry Dailey
Teri Garr	...	Alec's Mother
Clarence Muse	...	Snoe
Hoyt Axton	...	Alec's Father
Michael Higgins	...	Neville
Ed McNamara	...	Jake
Doghmi Larbi	...	Arab (as Dogmi Larbi)
John Burton	...	Jockey #1
John Buchanan	...	Jockey #2
Kristen Vigard	...	Becky
Fausto Tozzi	...	Rescue Captain
John Karlsen	...	Archeologist (as John Karlson)
Leopoldo Trieste	...	Priest
Frank Cousins	...	African Chieftain

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

USA:G (certificate #25828) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Finland:K-8 | Peru:PT | Sweden:11 | UK:U | West Germany:6 | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company:

Omni Zoetrope

Trivia:

The scene with the cobra took two days to film, because the cobra refused to spread its hood for the longest time. During filming, Kelly Reno was separated from the snake by a pane of glass.

Goofs:

Continuity: When sleeping outside with The Black, Alec is first against the tree, then slightly away, then further away from the tree.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Alec Ramsey: Dad... you know what I saw? It's the most fantastic thing... come look!
Mr. Ramsey: [to the other poker players] My son.
Mr. Ramsey: Hey! Look, son, I'll tell you, I'm really busy, but... I'll tell you what I do need. I need some good luck.

Movie Connections:

Featured in AFI's 100 Years... 100 Cheers: America's Most Inspiring Movies (2006) (TV)

This classic movie holds up, even 20 years later

I re-viewed the movie, on video, after not having seen it for many years. The cinematography is fantastic, and I believe it won an Oscar - and deservedly so. The lovely score fills in a script of few words. Even Mickey Rooney, who's had his ups and downs in his acting career, gives a wonderful performance as the former jockey who trains Alec. Treat your kids to a showing of this great film, then give them the book to read...