This is a great film for the whole family to watch together. The boys and dads will like the cowboy, western setting ( and the pretty Diane Hyland). The girls will like the beautiful black horse, Smoky, and the handsome and fatherly Fess Parker.
Fess plays Clint Barkley, a ranch-hand at Julie Richards' (played by Hyland) ranch. They acquire a wild black stallion that no one can get near - except Clint. It's a heartwarming tale of a man's love for his horse.
This is a classic tale like they use to tell them. There is beautiful outdoor cinematography shot in gorgeous Technicolor. The scenery is truly breathtaking. Its all wholesome fun - even for the youngest in the family. There is one scene where a man is abusing a horse with a strap and it looks rather realistic. It is done at night and doesn't show any detail. But it might still be disturbing for very young children. The man is then stomped by the horse and dies. There is no blood or gore, but again, it nay disturb the very young.
I love Fess Parker and remember him best from the TV series, DANIEL BOONE. He has such a warm and honest on-screen charisma. I remember as a child watching DANIEL BOONE and wishing he was my father. He has a very reassuring and mesmerizing voice that I love listening to. So, to me, the film centers around him and the horse - everyone else is extraneous.
That's not to say the others don't deliver good performances. There are some good folk songs sung by Hoyt Axton, who plays a mysterious man from Clint's past that is full of trouble. I won't spoil the plot by revealing who he is.
Katy Jurado probably stands out most in her supporting role as the ranch housekeeper. She has such a distinctive Hispanic look and such expressive eyes. She never overplays her Mexican heritage but delivers it with authenticity. I remember her most from HIGH NOON - where she won a Golden Globe. She was the first Hispanic actress to be nominated for an Oscar in BROKEN LANCE (a feat not repeated again until 2003 by Selma Hayek).
You will see similarities in this film to Black Beauty - and I don't think it quite equals its quality. However, it is still a good film in its own right and one the whole family can enjoy.
Fess plays Clint Barkley, a ranch-hand at Julie Richards' (played by Hyland) ranch. They acquire a wild black stallion that no one can get near - except Clint. It's a heartwarming tale of a man's love for his horse.
This is a classic tale like they use to tell them. There is beautiful outdoor cinematography shot in gorgeous Technicolor. The scenery is truly breathtaking. Its all wholesome fun - even for the youngest in the family. There is one scene where a man is abusing a horse with a strap and it looks rather realistic. It is done at night and doesn't show any detail. But it might still be disturbing for very young children. The man is then stomped by the horse and dies. There is no blood or gore, but again, it nay disturb the very young.
I love Fess Parker and remember him best from the TV series, DANIEL BOONE. He has such a warm and honest on-screen charisma. I remember as a child watching DANIEL BOONE and wishing he was my father. He has a very reassuring and mesmerizing voice that I love listening to. So, to me, the film centers around him and the horse - everyone else is extraneous.
That's not to say the others don't deliver good performances. There are some good folk songs sung by Hoyt Axton, who plays a mysterious man from Clint's past that is full of trouble. I won't spoil the plot by revealing who he is.
Katy Jurado probably stands out most in her supporting role as the ranch housekeeper. She has such a distinctive Hispanic look and such expressive eyes. She never overplays her Mexican heritage but delivers it with authenticity. I remember her most from HIGH NOON - where she won a Golden Globe. She was the first Hispanic actress to be nominated for an Oscar in BROKEN LANCE (a feat not repeated again until 2003 by Selma Hayek).
You will see similarities in this film to Black Beauty - and I don't think it quite equals its quality. However, it is still a good film in its own right and one the whole family can enjoy.