THE BLACK STALLION

Director Carroll Ballard knows how to tell a story with images and few words. The greatest moments in "The Black Stallion" occur when the film's star, Kelly Reno, a shipwrecked young boy, tries to befriend the only other survivor, a stallion. These moments and most of the film's first half make this film worth seeing alone. The stunning presentation of these images on DVD, makes this one to seek out for the benefit of the entire family. The 2nd half of the film, when the boy and horse are taken back to "civilization" doesn't maintain the same awe that preceded it. Still, it's got its moments, and viewers won't want it to end. Caleb Daschanel's cinematography is perfectly captured in both the letterboxed and P&S version offered on this DVD. The Dolby Surround Stereo has some impressive moments, but again most of these atmospheric effects occur during the first half. It's a shame that this title wasn't remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1