THE YOUNG BLACK STALLION

US, 2004, 45 minutes, Colour.
Richard Romanus, Biana G. Tamimi, Patrick Elyas.
Directed by Simon Wincer.

A quarter of a century ago, The Black Stallion took its place in cinema history as a classic horse movie. It was followed in 1983 by The Black Stallion Returns. These films were based on the novels of Walter Farley. Now, we see the prequel to the familiar stories. This is the story of the stallion from his birth in North Africa to his winning a thrilling race with the young girl who found him in the desert riding him to victory, just like National Velvet.

The film has a short running time since it was made in the IMAX format. IMAX films run for about 45 minutes. The film was shot in the dunes of Namibia and the desert mountains of South Africa. On the giant screen, the scenery is magnificent. So are the scenes of horses galloping through the barren landscapes. Director Simon Wincer is an expert with horses having made Phar Lap, The Lighthorsemen and some of the Young Indiana Jones series.

The plot is exactly as you would imagine so there are no surprises (except, perhaps, at the ready acceptance of a young girl actually racing let alone winning). The pleasure is in the storytelling and the beauty of the film.


1. The popularity of the Black Stallion stories? The films of the 70s and 80s? The enjoyment of seeing a prequel?

2. The IMAX format, the large screen, the scope of the scenery, the action, especially the racing? The focus on characters, attention to detail? The musical score? Rousing?

3. The focus on the white mare, the birth of the black stallion, mother and foal? The pursuit of the military? The taking of the mother, the foal left by himself?

4. The foal and his managing in the desert? The transition to Neera and the camel group, the attack by the soldiers, her fleeing, the fall in the desert, her thirst, the winds and the sand? Her hearing the water, encountering the black stallion, the bond, giving him a drink, the friendship? Riding back to the centre?

5. The oasis, her grandfather, Aiden, the people fleeing? The grandfather and the past with the training of the horses, the coming of the war, his acceptance? Neera and her coming back, the story of the stallion, everybody thinking it was a hallucination in the desert?

6. The return of the stallion, her wanting to ride, her deceiving her grandfather, Aiden helping her to train?

7. The challenge of the race, the princes, their pride, their horses? Neera and her entering, their acceptance?

8. The excitement of the race - and her victory? Overall rejoicing?

9. The story of a horse, its birth and growth, its skills, its ability to race, its speed? The popularity of this kind of horse film?