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Movies Forum Index » Movie Reviews Forum » Retrospective: Black Stallion, The (1979)
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| Joel B. Kirk |
 Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2003 4:46 pm |
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The Black Stallion
A Film Review by Joel B. Kirk
What it's About:
Loosely based on the 1941 book by Walter Farley, the 1st book in 'The
Black Stallion' series: A shipwreck leaves young Alec stranded on a
deserted island with a wild stallion. Dependent on each other for
survival, boy and horse learn to trust and love each other as they
establish an amazing friendship that lasts a lifetime. Pulled to a
desert island by a wild black stallion he has freed during a shipwreck
at sea, then rescued by a southbound freighter, Alec befriends the
horse, trains him by night, and rides him to victory in a match race.
My Take:
Back in 1979, I was only 4 years old when I saw this with my mother.
When this film hit videodisk (remember those?) the film became one of
my all-time favorites I watched time and time again.
What really adds to the atmosphere of this film was the music by the
late Carmine Coppola, father to director Francis Ford Coppola—-whom
himself produced the film through the company, American Zoetrope.
This film does not wish to rush itself. By use of visuals, and the
aforementioned score, the viewer is taken in emotionally. (Watch for
the island scenes, as Alec learns to live off of the land, and
eventually befriend the beautiful stallion).
Positive/Negative Nitpicks:
As if it can't be mentioned enough, the score by Carmine Coppola gives
the film the added emotion.
Audiences, I believe, fail to realize that a powerful score allows
them to be emotionally involved in a detailed film, aside from the
actors and director doing their duty.
Stick around for the end credits, which give an added scene with
Carmine Coppola's score.
Final Comments:
1983's 'The Black Stallion Returns,' based on the second novel of 'The
Black Stallion' series, was a somewhat talky, not as involving; but,
entertaining sequel.
***1/2 out of *****
Director: Carroll Ballard
Writer(s):
Walter Farley (Novel)
Melissa Mathison
Jeanne Rosenberg
William D. Witliff
Cast:
Kelly Reno-Alec Ramsey
Mickey Rooney-Henry Dailey
Teri Garr-Alec's Mother
Hoyt Axton-Alec's Father
Genre: Drama
Running Time: 118 minutes
Year of Release: 1979 by United Artists
Email: joelkirk@sbcglobal.net
Copyright 2003 Joel B. Kirk
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X-RAMR-ID: 36041
X-Language: en
X-RT-ReviewID: 1208064
X-RT-TitleID: 1002523
X-RT-AuthorID: 9404
X-RT-RatingText: 3.5/5 |
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