‘The Black Stallion’ is a fictional film based on a novel. A young boy, Alec, is traveling with his father on a ship near Northern Africa. On the ship, he encounters a ferocious Arabian horse, which he later named ‘Black’ for the color of the horse’s mane, being transported under ropes and heavy ties. Alec takes a liking to Black, feeding him some sugar cubes, even though he was told not to. A massive storm hits the ship, and Alec rescues the horse from his ties before they both fall overboard. After waking up shipwrecked on a deserted island, Alec again encounters Black running free on the beaches. Alec slowly bonds with Black, and they become inseparable. I won’t talk about the specifics to avoid spoiling.

While the film is intended for kids, I believe everyone would appreciate it. I was awestruck watching such a majestic film that depicts the emotional relationship between Alec and the horse. A lengthy stretch of the film during the deserted island was especially captivating. There are no people or vehicles or buildings or language. There is no sign of civilization in sight. For about 25 minutes, the film leaves us with only the sounds of roaring waves, calm winds, raindrops tip-tapping, a subtle background score, and the two of them bonding. It felt remarkable to watch. The cinematography, editing, visuals, score, and acting allow you to feel the same emotions as Alec does. I can only imagine how it must have looked on the big screen in 1979.

Would I recommend this? Yes. The description above might not do justice. The only word I can think of to describe the experience is spiritual. It’s gentle, soothing, and subtle. If you appreciate something original and fresh, this film is it.