Mickey Rooney, who could do everything in film except be a leading man, called The Black Stallion his favorite of all the films he’d ever done. That's saying something!
Well, your review has enticed me to enter into the -almost- 1980s Hollywood era.
I guess at a stature of barely over five feet, it was inevitable that Rooney would be cast as a jockey a few times during his long career. Probably most often viewed was his portrayal in the 1963 Twilight Zone episode "The Last Night of a Jockey" - where his character longs to be a "big man."
Yes, and there his talent as a BAD man shows through. Check him out as the thoroughly villainous comic genius in Rod Serling's playlet "The Comedian," I think for Playhouse 90, with Edmond O'Brien, Kim Hunter, and (in a gut-ripping performance) Mel Torme. Heck of a cast.
I agree with Pauline Kael who said "it may be the greatest children's movie ever made."
Ballard is my favorite director because I am a sucker for naturalistic storytelling and cinematography. Ballard's "Stallion" cinematographer, Caleb Deschanel, collaborated with Ballard on two other wonderful classics: "Never Cry Wolf" and "Fly Away Home". (Deschanel is also noted for his camera work on "The Passion of Christ").
One of my favorite Mickey Rooney performances is the 1962 film version of Rod Serling’s “Requiem for a Heavyweight” … with Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason & Julie Harris.
YES, I admire that film tremendously. We may have done it already at W & S ? I've got to check. If not, we certainly will. There you've got Rooney as a good man, and Jackie Gleason is the villain, and Julie Harris is at her best, and Anthony Quinn (no stage name; he was half Irish in fact) is perfect as the poor punch-drunk ex-fighter. Every one of those 4 is worth watching no matter what they're doing.
Great commentary on this lovely film. Appreciate so much all of your reviews, I was taken with the idea that Mickey liked this film so much out of all the films that he made over many years. Thank you!!!!
I love The Black Stallion and the sequel is pretty good as well. Course for me, the biggest draw is the horses. Thanks for sharing this great movie!
Link to film did not work for me or my husband. It took me back to your article. We rented it on Amazon—beautiful!
I found it for free on YouTube.
Well, your review has enticed me to enter into the -almost- 1980s Hollywood era.
I guess at a stature of barely over five feet, it was inevitable that Rooney would be cast as a jockey a few times during his long career. Probably most often viewed was his portrayal in the 1963 Twilight Zone episode "The Last Night of a Jockey" - where his character longs to be a "big man."
Yes, and there his talent as a BAD man shows through. Check him out as the thoroughly villainous comic genius in Rod Serling's playlet "The Comedian," I think for Playhouse 90, with Edmond O'Brien, Kim Hunter, and (in a gut-ripping performance) Mel Torme. Heck of a cast.
I agree with Pauline Kael who said "it may be the greatest children's movie ever made."
Ballard is my favorite director because I am a sucker for naturalistic storytelling and cinematography. Ballard's "Stallion" cinematographer, Caleb Deschanel, collaborated with Ballard on two other wonderful classics: "Never Cry Wolf" and "Fly Away Home". (Deschanel is also noted for his camera work on "The Passion of Christ").
One reason the Island scene is so compelling is the powerful musical score written by Francis Ford Coppola's father.
I read all the Black Stallion books in grade school & loved them. I'm adding this movie to our "to-watch" list from your recommendation. Thank you!
I've always loved this movie. It's just beautiful and your essay is spot on.
One of my favorite Mickey Rooney performances is the 1962 film version of Rod Serling’s “Requiem for a Heavyweight” … with Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason & Julie Harris.
Don Young
Columbus OH
YES, I admire that film tremendously. We may have done it already at W & S ? I've got to check. If not, we certainly will. There you've got Rooney as a good man, and Jackie Gleason is the villain, and Julie Harris is at her best, and Anthony Quinn (no stage name; he was half Irish in fact) is perfect as the poor punch-drunk ex-fighter. Every one of those 4 is worth watching no matter what they're doing.
It was a beautiful film, and you brought it all back in this one article. Thank you.
Great commentary on this lovely film. Appreciate so much all of your reviews, I was taken with the idea that Mickey liked this film so much out of all the films that he made over many years. Thank you!!!!