the black stallion is a 1979 adventure movie directed by carroll ballard. it is based on the children's book "the black stallion" by walter farley. it is about the friendship of the boy alec ramsey and an arabian horse. the movie stars kelly reno, teri garr, hoyt axton, mickey rooney, and the arabian horse cass ole. francis ford coppola was one of the producers, and his father, carmine coppola composed the music.