The Black Stallion (1979)

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

interestingly the MGM blu from last year has 5.1 audio, but Criterion's is 2.0 - interesting.

Up-mixed from the original stereo

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Up-mixed from the original stereo

there seems to be some conflicting news that the 5.1 mix was what was supposed to be implemented on the 70mm / 6-track channel version.

[jshaide]

I've never seen this one. Worth a blind buy?

[Monterey Jack]

Originally Posted by jshaide

I've never seen this one. Worth a blind buy?

One of the greatest family movies ever made, with rapturous cinematography.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

One of the greatest family movies ever made, with rapturous cinematography.

yes - the island photography is just gorgeous.

[Ray_Rogers]

Wow! Far better release compared to the MGM release! Glad to upgrade since I had the DVD set which had this film and the sequel, The Black Stallion Returns. Wonder where the sequel is on Blu-ray though.

[AaronSCH]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

I saw this fourteen times in a theater in a span of maybe six weeks. I was 21 years old and it taught me everything I needed to know about making films and film as art. It was like having a painting by one of the old masters hanging in my home for six weeks.

I agree, it is indeed a moving canvas. I might add that although there is little dialog in the film, the chemistry between Mickey Rooney and Kelly Reno evoked memories of the touching exchanges between Gregory Peck and Mary Badham in "To Kill a Mockingbird." It's just genuine.

Originally Posted by shmn

Yup. I got suckered in and bought the first BR release which was a dog. I should have known better. At least Criterion will give this movie the transfer it deserves.

"A dog?" Not exactly. Although I almost cried when I learned that Criterion would be giving it the attention it deserves. When the MGM disc was released, I was thrilled just to have it on Blu-ray and in widescreen because the old DVD was non-anamorphic.

Originally Posted by jshaide

I've never seen this one. Worth a blind buy?

Yes. Don't hesitate. It is a classic.

[MTS]

Love the Black Stallion, glad to see it get the treatment it deserves! Now how about another Carroll Ballard favorite, long overdue, and an academy award winner (for sound): Never Cry Wolf. Please, Please, Please!

[HeavyHitter]

I might have to blind buy this one. I too always wanted to see it, but for some reason never happened.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by MTS

Love the Black Stallion, glad to see it get the treatment it deserves! Now how about another Carroll Ballard favorite, long overdue, and an academy award winner (for sound): Never Cry Wolf. Please, Please, Please!

Sorry to geek out on you, but Never Cry Wolf did not win any Oscars, it was a nominee only in just the one category.

[Havenbull]

Pre-ordered.... excellent movie in every way...

Will buy the 2nd one when it comes to blu too...

[Abouna]

Originally Posted by MTS

Love the Black Stallion, glad to see it get the treatment it deserves! Now how about another Carroll Ballard favorite, long overdue, and an academy award winner (for sound): Never Cry Wolf. Please, Please, Please!

Seconded! Love that film. Underrated.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

there seems to be some conflicting news that the 5.1 mix was what was supposed to be implemented on the 70mm / 6-track channel version.

My guess is that like THE RUNNING MAN, the 70mm/6 channel version was likely a simple upmix of the 2.0 audio. Olive Films released THE RUNNING MAN with its original 2.0 audio instead of the upmix and it was a bit controversial - though that the original audio is usually the ideal.

In most likelihood, the 2.0 is the original audio and the 5.1 is an upmix of that same 2.0 audio...