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WHAT IT'S ABOUT:

Marooned with an Arabian stallion after a shipwreck, a young boy named Alec (Reno) develops a close bond with the strong-willed horse. Back home with his mother (Teri Garr) after a rescue party locates the survivors, Alec finds encouragement from elderly trainer Henry Dailey (Rooney), who believes the stallion has the makings of a champion, as long as Alec can assume the role of jockey.

WHY I LOVE IT:

This fascinating adaptation of Walter Farley’s children’s classic depicts with uncommon intelligence and sensitivity the special bond that can develop between humans and animals. Avoiding children’s-movie clichés, Ballard directs his two-legged stars, especially Reno and the affable Rooney, with superb understatement instead of maudlin excess. Caleb Deschanel’s exceptional photography—especially in the opening half-hour, filmed partly underwater and without dialogue—is every bit a star as the stallion. One of the finest family films you’ll see in any season.

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