The Black Stallion (1979): A Criterion Blu Ray release
I am definitely getting too old. I remember when the phrase “Family Film” meant a movie that everyone could enjoy. Today it seems to just mean a movie that is “G” or “PG” rated, movies that kids may like but not necessity adults.
This is a wonderful, beautiful, entertaining, movie for the entire family. As always, Criterion gives this movie a great look in Blu_Ray and a wonderful DTS-HD soundtrack.
The story involves a young boy and a Black Stallion that are stranded in a desert island a hundred years ago! They learn to trust and live with each other. The scenes here are just beautiful.
When rescued, they’re brought back the child’s country-style home. It is full of greenery and forests, just what a horse would like. (If you read the book, it is Bayside New York, which looks nothing like this today!) Mickey Rooney is great as a former jockey who ha plans for the boy and the horse.
I loved this movie and give it a “very good” maybe even a great rating.
There have been three times where I saw a movie at a theatre and viewers, total strangers, just stayed in the lobby and discussed the movie.
1.
2001: A Space Odyssey: People were fascinated and confused.
2.
Disney’s The Black Hole: They hated the movie and wondered about the ending.
3.
This Movie, the Black Stallion: Everyone was just surprised how good it was and how beautiful it looked.
Special Features:
· New, restored 4K digital transfer, supervised by director of photography Caleb Deschanel, with 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray
- Five short films by director Carroll Ballard, with new introductions by the filmmaker: Pigs! (1965), The Perils of Priscilla (1969), Rodeo (1969), Seems Like Only Yesterday (1971), and Crystallization (1974)
- New conversation between Ballard and film critic Scott Foundas
- New interview with Deschanel
- New piece featuring Mary Ellen Mark discussing her photographs from the film’s set
- PLUS: An essay by film critic Michael Sragow
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