The Black Stallion 1979

Janet Maslin, New York Times: The director, Carroll Ballard, and the cinematographer, Caleb Deschanel, have captured so many lavishly beautiful images that the cumulative effect is one of repetition. Read more

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader: The film represents a studied, sophisticated approach to instinctual emotions: it's carefully, calculatingly naive, and amazingly it works. Read more

Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: Read more

Michael Booth, Denver Post: Deepens into a far more powerful entertainment through matchless cinematography and talented supporting players. Read more

Frank Rich, TIME Magazine: Ballard's sumptuous images exist only to distract from his rather conventional failings of craftsmanship. Read more

Time Out: A magnificently well-crafted movie. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: Carroll Ballard's feature debut is rich in adventure, suspense and mythical elements and marks the prize-winning short-subjects director as a major talent. Read more