The film presents a visually striking experience, though it lacks dramatic spark. A young boy forms a bond with an Arabian stallion amidst the Mediterranean setting of 1946, eventually connecting with a former horse racing trainer (Mickey Rooney) upon returning to the northeastern United States. Teri Garr portrays the mother in a small part. "The Black Stallion" begins similarly to how Tarzan’s story might unfold, only replacing apes with horses, before settling into a familiar sports narrative—a young person's talent is discovered and developed under the guidance of an older, experienced figure. It avoids being a typical children’s movie; instead, it possesses an artistic sensibility and visual beauty comparable to "The Secret Garden" (1993), both films bearing Francis Ford Coppola’s production credit. While its visuals are as impressive as those in “The Secret Garden,” the narrative isn't quite as captivating. Teri Garr’s role feels minimal, and Rooney’s character doesn’t have the same appeal as characters like Mr. Miyagi from "The Karate Kid" (1984) or Nick Nolte’s ‘Socrates’ in “Peaceful Warrior” (2006). Either Garr's part should have been expanded, or additional characters could have been introduced—perhaps a female friend for the boy—to enhance engagement. As it stands, the storyline might not hold the attention of viewers beyond roughly seven years old. However, the stallion is truly impressive, and I valued the connection between the boy and the animal, along with the well-realized post-war setting and overall artistic quality. The movie has a running time of 1 hour, 57 minutes, and filming took place in Sardinia, Italy (for the island scenes), the Toronto area of Canada, and northwest Oregon locations including Astoria, Gearhart and Nehalem. GRADE: C+

Source on TMDB