Parents' Guide to

The Black Stallion

Movie G 1979 118 minutes
The Black Stallion Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

By Nell Minow , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 8+

Breathtakingly beautiful, magical classic is a must-see.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 8+?

Any Positive Content?

  • The Black Stallion Movie: Scene #1
  • The Black Stallion Movie: Scene #2
  • The Black Stallion Movie: Scene #3

Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 8+

Based on 15 parent reviews

Melinda S.
Melinda S. Parent
August 26, 2023
age 8+

Cinematic, peaceful, full of meaning and love

mlinds
mlinds Parent of 5 and 9-year-old
August 11, 2022
age 6+

Some gorgeous footage and fun in this classic horse movie

We (my 9 and 5 year olds and me) pretty much categorically love horse movies without too much conflict— and really liked but didn’t love this one. The beginning shipwreck scenes are scary (and were very realistic to my kids— they kept asking if it had really happened) but were manageable with a heads-up and some covered eyes. The section of the film with the boy and horse are absolutely stunning and engaging. The rest of the film wasn’t quite as much, but it was enjoyable and we are fine with slower paced films. My mom thought it was corny and unrealistic— but some of that comes with the territory with horse movies!
See all 15 parent reviews

What's the Story?

As THE BLACK STALLION begins, a young boy named Alec Ramsey (Kelly Reno) is on a ship with his father. Everything seems mysterious to him: the exotic passengers, the high-stakes poker game his father is playing, the wild and beautiful black horse he comforts with sugar cubes. Then the ship is destroyed in a storm, and only Alec and the horse survive. Alec patiently and persistently tames the horse; eventually they're rescued and return to Alec's home. When the horse runs to a farm, Alec meets Henry (Mickey Rooney), a former trainer. They enter the horse in a race against two champions -- can he and Alec triumph?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (15 ):
Kids say (11 ):

Walter Farley's novel was adapted by director Carroll Ballard and Francis Ford Coppola's studio into one of the most breathtakingly beautiful, genuinely magical movies ever made. Part of the magic is that the movie has the courage to be quiet. There's very little dialogue, and there are long stretches without a single word. This allows The Black Stallion's images to do the work, and the cinematography by Caleb Deschanel is a joy for the eye and the spirit, creating exactly the right atmosphere for what Pauline Kael said "may be the greatest children's movie ever made."

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about The Black Stallion's more intense scenes. Are they more or less scary than explosive scenes in action/superhero movies? Why? Do different kinds of scary/violent scenes have different impact?

  • How does Alec demonstrate courage and perseverance? Why are those important character strengths?

  • For those who've read the Walter Farley novel the movie is based on, how do the two compare? Why do you think filmmakers sometimes make changes to book stories? Which do you usually like better -- the book or the movie?

  • The friendships in this movie aren't particularly traditional; can you think of other movies about unusual friendships? What do they have in common?

  • What's the importance of the story Alec's father tells about Alexander the Great and his horse? Why does the horse trust Alec? Why is it important for Alec to win the race?

Movie Details

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