The Black Stallion

1

In my opinion this is a very rare example of a movie improving on its source material. I enjoy the movie, so this review is going to specifically compare the two, not look at the book for its own sake. This story is much better served through visual storytelling. The film gives Alec and the Black more time together on the beach, enriching their relationship and making its mutual nature far more believable than the utilitarian tone of the book. The beach scenes are infinitely improved on in the film by not being filtered through the thoughts of literary Alec. The book focuses more on Alec's desire to ride and control the Black and of course race, whereas the movie, at least during the beach scenes, shows Alec earning the Black's trust through time together, providing food, and mutual play. I also feel the film's choice to age-down Alec from a teenager to a younger boy better serves the story and I appreciate how they had Alec keep the horse in his front yard at first because as a child I fantasized about having a horse in my back yard.