5/5
The Black Stallion
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Breathtakingly beautiful, truly magical movie.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 8 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of The Black Stallion was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that Pauline Kael said this "may be the greatest children's movie ever made." Although the movie is rated G, the shipwreck is very scary and Alec's father is killed.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the importance of the story Alec's father tells about Alexander the Great and his horse. Why does the horse trust Alec? Why is it important for Alec to win the race? What is the most important lesson Alec learns from Henry?
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More on The Black Stallion
What’s the Story?
As BLACK STALLION begins, a young boy named Alec Ramsey (Kelly Reno) is on a ship with his father. Everything seems mysterious to him, the exotic passengers, the high-stakes poker game his father is playing, the wild and beautiful black horse he comforts with sugar cubes. Then the ship is destroyed in a storm, and only Alec and the horse survive. Alec patiently and persistently tames the horse. They are rescued and return to Alec's home. When the horse runs to a farm, Alec meets Henry (Mickey Rooney), a former trainer. They enter the horse in a race against two champions, and he and Alec triumph.
Is It Any Good?
Walter Farley's novel was adapted by director Ballard and Francis Ford Coppola's studio into one of the most breathtakingly beautiful and genuinely magical movies ever made. Part of the magic is that the movie has the courage to be quiet. There is very little dialogue, and long stretches without a single word. It allows its images to do the work, and the cinematography, by Caleb Deschanel is a joy for the eye and for the spirit, creating exactly the right atmosphere for what Pauline Kael said "may be the greatest children's movie ever made."
Movie Details
Studio: MGM/UA, Director: Carroll Ballard
Run time: 118 minutes
Theatrical release: 10/17/1979, DVD release: 5/1/2001
MPAA Rating: G
Run time: 118 minutes
Theatrical release: 10/17/1979, DVD release: 5/1/2001
MPAA Rating: G
Our Members Say
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Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
This movie was excellent and it was really informative about how animals interact
It was excellent, that's all there is to say.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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