Directed by: John Tatoulis
Starring: Caroline Goodall
Russell Crowe
Rated: PG
Length: 94 minutes
a Skouras Pictures Release in 1992
Inspired by the book-The Silver Brumby by Elyne Mitchell

From the first frame of this movie, the haunting music by composer Tassos Ioannides sets the mood for the story of the Silver Stallion. Thara, the King of the Brumbies, was named after the wind.

Mrs. Mitchell, played by the versatile Caroline Goodall, is a writer in the process of penning a short story about Thara. As her daughter, Indy, (Ami Daemion) reads what her mother's written every day, we get to see the story of the young colt unfold in the Australian high country.

Before long, real life merges with the short story. Indy finds out that there really is a Man on a black horse, who'll stop at nothing to possess Thara because of his creamy coat and silvery mane and tail. The Man on this quest is not given a name in the story. He is not an evil man, only one who makes his living catching and selling the brumbies of the mountains, and realizes a 'catch' when he sees one.

Caroline Goodall plays the writer, who is inspired by a violent storm to write the story. She's one of the most underrated actresses, it is this reviewer's opinion. Her performance is rightfully low key, almost hypnotic, because of the mood portrayed throughout the movie.

Russell Crowe is the Man. Even before he became the rave, he had presence on the screen, and it shows in this part from his horsemanship to the emotion he shows when things don't go his way.

You can't ignore the mechanics of this movie. One can truly sense the heart that went into making this flick. The photography in this movie is spectacular; the beauty of the passing seasons, breath-taking; the power of the brumbies, awesome; and the acting, superb. The music and the script (written by the author of the book), all contribute to an all-expenses-paid vacation to the Australian high country, a trek that you'll want to take again and again.

The ending brings a satisfied smile to your spirit, but don't leave until you hear the last whinny on the wind.

THE SILVER STALLION is rated PG for a graphic fight scene between two stallions. These actors are so good that this scene is not for the faint-hearted or the young. But the animal trainer and 4 veterinarians on the set guarantee that NO animals were harmed during the filming of this movie.

Caroline Goodall: other movies: 'Hook' with Dustin Hoffman/'Cliffhanger' with Sylvester Stallone.

Russell Crowe: other movies: 'Insider' with Al Pacino/'Gladiator' with Richard Harris