 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Black Stallion
- Review Date: May 4, 2003
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1979
Common Sense Media says
Breathtakingly beautiful, truly magical movie.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
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."
Explore, discuss, enjoy
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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- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
April 20, 2010
AGE
Worth The Watch!!
Pretty Cool Horse Movie, in fact, I wish I could ride like that!!!!!! Story about a gorgeous Arab and a fantastic story about how an enthusiastic boy tries to tame it.
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Kid, 11 years old
September 12, 2011
AGE
Great Movie!
the ship sinking scene is really intense it even freaked me out about that but everything else is fine if you have someone who is
9 and under you should have parent guidance
my opinion: PG for some scenes may upset young children
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Parent
February 12, 2011
AGE
Not for my kids
i think that is too scary for my daughter i hate my kids watching movies with death
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Parent of 10 and 12 year old
May 3, 2011
AGE
This is a great family movie. If you are worried that the beginning is too scary, you could just skip that part and explain to your kids that the ship sank. Otherwise, awesome scenery and a real feel-good movie.
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Teen, 13 years old
May 9, 2009
AGE
5/5
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
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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Educator and Parent of 9 and 14 year old
April 9, 2008
AGE
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Parent of 7 year old
February 27, 2011
AGE
Loved the slow pace!
The shipwreck in the beginning is iffy...though I think its good to come into contact with the concept of death minus the violence.
I don't like the dishonesty which is the basis by which the boy starts to train as a jockey. I liked that it took the boy sometime to build the relationship with the horse, the persistence it took, though I don't like the message that he won the first time out....but I did enjoy watching this with my boys.
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Kid, 8 years old
February 27, 2011
AGE
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| Topics: | adventures, book characters, friendship, horses and farm animals |
| Studio: | MGM/UA |
| Director: | Carroll Ballard |
| Cast: | Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney, Teri Garr |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 118 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 17, 1979 |
| DVD release date: | May 1, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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