The Black Stallion (1979)

Set in the wake of World War II, The Black Stallion follows young Alec Ramsey as a chance encounter with a wild Arabian stallion aboard a passenger liner turns into a life-changing bond. When a violent storm sinks the ship, Alec and the horse are the only survivors, marooned together on a desert island where mutual trust and friendship grow. Rescued and returned home, Alec enlists the help of retired jockey Henry Dailey (Mickey Rooney) to train both horse and boy for a daring challenge: to prove that the once-wild “Black” can beat the fastest racehorses in the country. Watching the film you’ll experience a slow-building, visually rich adventure that emphasizes mood and emotion over flashy effects. The island sequences deliver quiet, elemental wonder and survival tension; the thawing relationship between Alec and the stallion is both tender and thrilling; and the training-and-race climax offers genuine suspense and catharsis. Family-friendly and uplifting, the movie blends coming-of-age drama, spectacular horse-action, and heartfelt moments that celebrate trust, resilience, and the bond between a boy and his horse.

Actors: Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney, Teri Garr

Director: Carroll Ballard

Runtime: 118 min

Genres: Adventure, Family, Sport

6.2 /10 84 /100 7.4 /10 7.3 /10