Hindsight

Day number 11:  Black Stallion (1979)

Classic Kids:  Classic Film kids must see before they are 13 or else!

There is something about kids and the animals in their lives.  We discussed National Velvet  a few days ago, and today, it's The Black Stallion.   The rider, this time, is a young boy who falls in love with a beautiful black horse.  The movie is based on a series of books written during the second world war. 

Unlike National Velvet, the relationship between the boy and the horse takes place over a long period of time.  We see how the young boy heals the horse, and also how the horse stays with the boy, healing him in much the same way.  A bit of fun trivia, Mickey Rooney, who was in National Velvet, is in this film too!  Plus, he again plays the horse trainer.  Funny, huh?  I went to this film, back in 1979, because Rooney was in it, and I believed, at that time, that this would probably be his last movie, wow, was I wrong!  But, my biggest surprise has been how this film, has stayed with me.  Such an intelligent script, such beautiful imagery, and the music, ah, could go on and on about it.  This film is truly a magnificent gem, enjoy!

Themes:  Healing, Unconditional love, Persistence, Compassion, Freedom, Loneliness. 

Questions for the kid(s) in your life (meant to engage them):  How is this film different than National Velvet?  How do the horse and the boy grow up together?  Why is this horse so special to the boy?  And…why is this boy so special to the horse?