Too many fans seem to be blown away

the audience applauded

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

Francis Ford Coppola's production of "The Black Stallion" tells the story of a boy who becomes shipwrecked on a deserted island with a mysterious and spirited Arabian stallion. When they return to civilization, the boy enlists the aid of a former trainer in order to realize his dream of racing his horse against the fastest in the world.While "The Black Stallion" is ostensibly a family movie, it may move too slowly for the average kid of today. As far as that goes, it probably moved too slowly for the average kid of 1979 as well. For instance, there's a stretch on the deserted island that has absolutely no dialogue or voice-over for approximately half an hour. That being said, for the patient viewer the movie offers plenty of attractive visuals as it takes its time moving along.Directorially, Caroll Ballard steered the movie with a sure hand and elicited fine performances from his actors. Young Kelly Reno gave a naturalistic performance and interacted with the titular horse with ease. Mickey Rooney likewise took a subdued approach in portraying the once successful horse trainer, in the process snagging an Oscar nomination. Naturally, the role recalls his similar one in "National Velvet" but here he gives a much more nuanced performance. Of the relatively small supporting cast, only Hoyt Axton, Teri Garr & Clarence Muse really stand out.Apart from the attractive cinematography of Caleb Deschanel, the movie also benefits from a varied and well-suited score by Carmine Coppola. Also notable is the fact that Alan Splet's sound editing garnered a Special Achievement Oscar. I can't say that I took particular note of the sound but there you have it.In the end, "The Black Stallion" is a well-crafted movie suitable for family viewing, though probably best appreciated by visually oriented adults. The deliberate pace may clash a little with the plot's driving force but, overall, the movie proves to be a worthwhile viewing experience.

I read most of the books in the Black Stallion series when I was a young girl of 8 or 9. The story is a great one. An epic tale. This movie captures the spirit of the first book of the series. Visually this movie is stunning. I would definitely recommend it, especially for horse lovers. I may even go back and read the books again. The book goes into a lot more detail than the movie, of course, but the magic of the story comes across beautifully here. The boy who plays the lead should have won awards for doing such a great job throughout the movie in interacting with the horse. It is a shame what happened to the boy actor who played the lead. In real life his career was cut short by tragedy. I love movies about horses and this one is up there on my list.

Kelly Reno and father Hoyt Axton on a sinking ocean liner begins the story of "The Black Stallion." Young Kelly is washed up on shore of a deserted island along with a horse that was on board. A wild black stallion. Obviously, it takes some time, but the horse warms up to him and they are inseparable. They are found eventually and taken to America, where we see mother Teri Garr. It is discovered and discussed that the stallion is good enough to be a racehorse. Mickey Rooney is a retired jockey who teaches Kelly all the tricks in riding him. Do you see where this is going? This is a fairly simple and straight-forward story. Everything that happens you see coming. But this is more than just a movie about a horse and a race. This is a very beautiful film that is more about mood, the pace, the feelings experienced, the boy's love for the horse and maybe vice versa. Mickey Rooney, who was ideally suited for this, was Oscar-nominated for his performance but there wasn't enough footage of him to be that impressed. The images of the boy riding on the island and the peace and sense of freedom that the viewer feels transcends this otherwise predictable horse movie and makes this an exceptional and timeless experience. "The Black Stallion" is one of those rare films that, like a good book, you want to revisit time and time again. Experience it for yourself.

The Black Stallion is the best this is what real good movie is most times of the movie just the boy and the horse no much talking but much events and feelings - the best two scenes i love 1st when the boy (Kelly Reno ) give the horse food . 2nd when the horse protected the boy from a snake . Kelly Reno : one movie made him a legend in my opinion . i did not see other movies for him i guess he did not act much but he is a good actor . the director he control in good way all his tools to made a good movie like that At the end if you did not watch till now you should do it now - this is the best classic movie . thank you for all cast .