1 It really is a miracle!
"Miracle of the White Stallions" has been a family favorite of ours for many years, so much so that when I moved to Idaho to attend graduate school, I had to swipe our old VHS copy from my parents just so I could have the movie with me. We have been trying to find the movie for sale for a long time and are thrilled that it is finally being released on DVD. Now, we all have a copy so we don't have to fight over it anymore!
Why do we love this movie so much that we would fight over it? Horses, horses, horses! Not only are the dressage sequences spectacular to watch, but the story behind their near loss and preservation is wonderful. In a time that is celebrated for destruction, there were a brave few that were willing to put their lives on the line for what many would call "a few dumb animals". (Not me, of course!) In my profession, I deal with extinction a great deal. If it hadn't been for those people portrayed in the movie (which was based on a true story), I may have had one more extinction to add to my list.
2 Muddled plot, but the dressage is amazing
During World War II, the famed performing Lipizzaner Stallions of the Spanish Riding School (actually located in Vienna, Austria) were in direct danger of being destroyed. Colonel Alios Podhajsky (Robert Taylor), the head of the school, does some fancy thinking and persuades a German general (Curt Jurgens) to define the horses as bona fide "art treasures" which would allow the animals to be moved out of harm's way. (The real Colonel choreographed all the graceful, spellbinding airs-above-the-ground performance scenes seen in the film.) Based upon the memoir The Dancing White Horses of Vienna by Colonel Alios Podhajsky.
Staci Layne Wilson
Author of Staci's Guide to Animal Movies
3 Miracle of the White Stallions
"Don't give a hoot about Joe Public" seems to be the mantra these days at Disney when it excitedly releases classics on DVD.
Why don't they take a little more care and issue these films in widescreen format in the way they were supposed to be seen. Its just another way the public has been hoodwinked by a greedy mouse. I wouldn't purchase any of these "new" re-releases until they put product of an acceptable - as opposed to half-assed - quality. Shame on you!
4 Again, the "new" Disney shows no respect for their heritage
No wonder the company is about to be taken over and broken up -- DVD was introduced to be an alternative to video, to offer more than video: better picture, more extras, and most importantly, more picture. Letterboxing. Widescreen. The complete image. So what does Disney do? They take some of their most beloved live-action films such as this one, and dump it on DVD in full-frame editions. It's a crime against these wonderful films, films that are a credit to the "old Disney" -- the wonderful, family-friendly Disney. And what, exactly is the point of pan-and-scan? Who isn't used to widescreen DVDs yet? Why should I waste my money replacing my old Disney videos with the same crappy full screen image as before? Disney just doesn't get it, and their sales show it.
5 THE DVD VERSION
Several of the reviews on this site ask the Disney studio to release this film on DVD. Well, they have and this review refers to the DVD version.
I have been familiar with this movie since I worked at the Disney studio in 16mm film distribution in the 1970s (about 7 years before the VHS blockbuster years began), and am familiar with the original negatives. In what I am finding to be typical of the Disney folks, this film is presented in a 'full frame' version, rather than a WIDESCREEN version. The film was shot for a 1:85x1 projected ratio (known as Academy Flat) which presents the picture in a slight retangular format. However, a full frame, 4x3 video transfer of such a negative isn't all that bad, although it would have distinguised it from the normal VHS format.
Also, I am very surprised that the Disney people didn't make an effort to 'clean up' the original negative, which contains a great amount of negative dirt and scratches. The DVD does preserve the original look to the film (color and tint), but there has been so much technology invented to digitally reproduce an almost flawless image, that I am surprised it isn't been used. It is one of trhe major reasons that people have switched to DVD.
Also, look for a mistake in the original negative. Just after the horses board the train, there are reddish, flash frames (possibly an overexposure to the camera original negative) which could easily have been removed digitally.
A few "extras" would have been nice, such as behind-the-scenes material. This stinginess is becomming something notorious with recent Disney DVD releases. Walt Disney shot tons of background footage for every movie he made, and this is stored in the studio vaults. I've seen it in 16mm, although it was shot on 35mm.. You can ignore the lack of a WIDESCREEN image if the DVD contained these precious extras. Otherwise, it's just a transfer of the old VHS image. What's the point of that?
As far as Robert Taylor's performance, far from being 'wooden' (as one reviewer wrote) I agree with another reviewer who said that he was protraying a real man (who was also alive at the time and a hero in Europe), and the script and direction decided to present a truthful, realistic portrrait of him. Don't forget that this movie, and many others (BALLERINA, HORSE WITHOUT A HEAD, ALMOST ANGELS) were shot in Europe after World War II. They were made chiefly for a European theatrical audience and were intened for an American TV audience on THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY. So, you'll find a different style of acting and presentation: a bit slow for us, but perfect for their intended audience.
6 Mirale of the White Stallions
I am a ridding instuctor and have been searching for this video to show my students. It is a wonderful way for them to see some of the greatest riding in the world in a story every horse lover should know! These precious animals are braught to such vibrant and beautiful light by Disney in this movie. A REAL MUST SEE!!!
7 Miracle indeed!!!!
I was lucky enough to acquire this movie from Readers Digest a couple of years back. The lippizaner horses are beautifull and for any horse lover that like to watch these horses do the"air above ground" it is very spectacular to watch. I think the movie get a superb description of how General Patton was indeed responsible for the safeguard of this noble breed.
Please I would recommend to your organization to try to get it back on the market, so other people can see this beautifull movie.
A great family movie and also great for people who love a bit of history.
8 Miracle indeed!!!!
I was lucky enough to acquire this movie from Readers Digest a couple of years back. The lippizaner horses are beautifull and for any horse lover that like to watch these horses do the"air above ground" it is very spectacular to watch. I think the movie get a superb description of how General Patton was indeed responsible for the safeguard of this noble breed.
Please I would recommend to your organization to try to get it back on the market, so other people can see this beautifull movie.
A great family movie and also great for people who love a bit of histoty.
9 Miracle of the White Stallions
Miracle of the White Stallions is one of my favorite movies!
A must see for horse lovers!
Disney must bring it out again in DVD format!
10 Miracle of the White Stallions
I have tried to find this movie to show my children and I am in shock that I can not find this great Disney Movie. We went to see these great horses in person and I would like to see the movie as well. As a child I remember it like it was yesterday. Disney needs to bring this movie back for our kids to see. What a great classic.
11 Classic Disney Horse Movie
This movie is a bit slow at times for non-horse people but for the rest of us IT'S FANTASTIC! The movie was actually shot on location at The Spanish Riding School in Vienna and has tons of long performances by the stallions under saddle. The time period is of Hilter Germany when Col. Podhajsky (if you don't know who he his you haven't been exposed to enough dressage history) was fighting to keep the school alive.
Anyone who has ever had a small desire to learn dressage or see these famous horses will probably be enchanted with the movie.
12 Horsemanship
A reviewer commented that Robert Taylor delivered one of his most "wooden" performances in his roll as Col. Podhasky in the film "The Miracle of the White Stallions"; do please realize that his performance was based on an officer of formal training in an elite corp, and the fact that he "unbent" as much as he did in the scenes of his personal life is a compliment to the nicety of R. Taylor's interpretation. Some might enjoy reading the Col.s book on horsemanship; it will give an impression of his training style. Then, contrast his methods with, e.g., "The Horse Whisperer" -- all interesting information. All our people, "mostly Irish", bred horses and followed the gentling methods.
13 WW2 HORSE
GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH HISTORY TO HORSE LOVING KIDS. REAL FEEL WITH GREAT THOUGHT. HOME SCHOOL TOOL AND RIDING INSTRUCTURE MATRIAL. A MUST SEE.
14 Would like to purchase the video.
The movie has been on The Disney Channel many times and the famous stallions appeared here in Port Charlotte, Florida - this past weekend, Dec. 16 & 17, 2000 -sponsored by a local radio station. After seeing them perform live and seeing them give a salute to Gen. George Patton for saving their lives, I wanted to rent or buy the movie as it signifies the foresight of this great man. His life ended not long after this great deed.
15 Would like to purchase the video.
The movie has been on The Disney Channel many times and the famous stallions appeared here in Port Charlotte, Florida this past weekend, sponsored by a local radio station. After seeing them perform live and seeing them give a salute to Gen. George Patton for saving their lives, I wanted to rent or buy the movie as it signifies the foresight of this great man. His life ended not long after this great deed.
16 Great Movie
I watched this movie when I was a young girl, then into adulthood. This is a wonderful movie. Wish Disney would re-produce it so everyone can enjoy it now.
17 The Miracle of the White stallions
This is a movie that I saw as a child and have loved since then. One of the highlights of my childhood was getting to see the Lippazans on their first tour of the US. This movie is more than just a great story it is part of our actual history. Please Disney re-release this movie for a whole new generation to enjoy and learn.
18 White Stallions Dancing
I have been trying to track down this movie for a long time. It was a movie from my childhood and I loved it dearly, I simply could not remember its title. I remember the heroics of the rescuers and the beauty of the Lipizanner horses. This is a movie that would still entrance all viewers, but especially those with a passion and love of horses. I wish Disney would release this on video for the children of today and tomorrow. This movie reminds us that war is not just about people but treasures and animals as well.
19 Miracle of the White Stallions
I loved this movie as a kid and would love to see it again and be able to show it to my family. I remember it being an exciting story of courage, honor and compassion during WWII. It's a shame it is not currently available. How do we convince Disney to produce the video for sale again?
20 The Video of the White Stallions is just out of this world.
I have been asked where you can buy the Video's of the White Stallions. Wish that more could be reproduced. Its a wonderful story and I show my copy. to a lot of Friends
21 Should have more shows like this one
I see the stallions at myaka in Fl there are no words how great they are. every one should see them.
