The Black Stallion (1979)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Carroll Ballard

Writers:

Walter Farley (novel)
Melissa Mathison (writer) ...

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 | Poker | Figurine | Ship Sinking

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 4 nominations

US Showtimes:

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Cast

Kelly Reno	...	Alec Ramsey
Mickey Rooney	...	Henry Dailey
Teri Garr	...	Mrs. Ramsey, Alec's mother
Clarence Muse	...	Snoe
Hoyt Axton	...	Mr. Ramsey, Alec's father
Michael Higgins	...	Jim Neville
Ed McNamara	...	Jake
Doghmi Larbi	...	Arab (as Dogmi Larbi)
John Burton	...	Jockey No. 1
John Buchanan	...	Jockey No. 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:

Cass Ole, like most horses, had his mane trimmed into what's called a bridle path. This makes it easier to fit a bridle. For the movie, Cass Ole had to wear "hair extensions" to make his mane look like a wild horse's mane. He also had white markings on his legs and forehead and the white needed to be covered with a black hair dye to transform Cass Ole into the Black Stallion.

Goofs:

Continuity: Cyclone, the gray racehorse, changes from a soft pale gray, to a dappled gray, to a very dark gray with a white tail throughout the match race.

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:

Referenced in Cinematographer Style (2006)

Beautiful beyond words

This movie is a feast for the eyes with an ending that has you on the edge of your seat. It is really two movies in one. The first movie is all about a boy and a horse shipwreaked on an island and how they learn to survive by helping each other. The second movie is about how Alex saves the horse and gives it a purpose in the world with the help of Mickey Rooney. The photography and story are very strong and help make this movie a visual delight with a minimum of dialog. Isn't that what movies are all about?