On B List of Movie Reviews

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The Black Stallion (1979)

Rate: 10
Viewed: 8/25

BlackStall
8/25: This is what I like: simple but powerful motion pictures.

One of them is The Black Stallion. How was it not fully recognized by the Academy Awards? It should've been a leading contender for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Score, setting up a major showdown with Apocalypse Now.

Instead, it received two nominations (Best Editing and Best Supporting Actor for Mickey Rooney) and an Special Achievement Oscar for Best Sound Editing. If there was another one given out specifically for animals, Cass Ole would've gotten it as The Black. He's really the star of the show, but a lot of credit has to go to Kelly Reno for giving a timeless performance. The kid was 12 years old and did most of the stunts.

There aren't many words spoken. It's all about the imagery, a technique that Carroll Ballard would repeat for Never Cry Wolf. Everything is so moving in the epic sense that it blows away National Velvet. Ironically, Mickey Rooney starred in that one and I hated his character, but in The Black Stallion, he's so much better, never being hammy, and thus added more to the film.

All in all, The Black Stallion is among the greatest movies ever made.