White Mane (1952)

White Mane

White Mane is the name of a wild horse living in a barren region of Southern France, the leader of a herd of horses. Some "gauchos" try to capture him and do, for a time, but he escapes. He is seen by a young boy who eventually befriends him and brings him to his home, which he shares with an old man and a baby sister. The family has other pets, such as turtles and a flamingo. Unfortunately, the gauchos haven't given up their quest to capture the beautiful horse. This somewhat sad tale is lightened considerably by its beautiful photography and by its straightforward tone. It is told in the manner of a Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, and would be suitable and recommended for children, with parental guidance, and adults. June 9, 2008

Boy and Horse clash with the adult world

A boy and a horse clash with greedy and dishonest adults. They go off into the sea and one hopes they find a better place (rather than dying). June 4, 2008

Bittersweet beauty

A companion to the same director's classic "The Red Balloon," this exquisite film probably wouldn't be made for children today ... and that's a pity. Children, simply by being younger, smaller, and weaker than the adult world around them, are already well aware of cruelty. They all understand what it is to be bullied, to be targeted for being different, to have to fight when they'd rather just be left alone. "White Mane" presents this fact of life not brutally, or mercilessly -- but honestly.

And it offers more, as well. The lyrical beauty of the film, the gorgeous black & white photography, the astonishingly expressive face of the boy Folco, all remind us that if there's unfairness in the world, there's also something sublime & deeply moving in it as well -- if only we look for it & see it. And it offers the consolation of art, and of storytelling itself.

I understand the misgivings of some regarding the film's ending. It's ambiguous at best, a harsh reminder that the sensitive of this world are often hounded by those who don't (or won't) understand them, and thus do their best to destroy them. But children can't be protected by denying that sad fact. If anything, a film like this probably enables them to deal with it better.

Adult viewers will savor the poetry, but also shake their heads in doleful recognition. It's a poignant gem of a film, most highly recommended! May 15, 2008

Could be the Most Beautiful Black and White Cinematography Ever

I gasp at the beauty of this film...the only way to describe it is to imagine a nature photograph of Edward Weston or Ansel Adams coming to life. The story is simple enough. A wild horse that runs free in the South of France is captured by some French "cowboys", yet refuses to be tamed and breaks free. Despite several efforts of the cowboys to retrieve this pick of the horses, White Mane will only allow himself to be handled by a young boy - the son of a fisherman in harmony with nature. But it is not the story that makes this film sing...it is the combination of some of the most beautiful, lyrical images I have ever seen on the screen, the folk music of the South of France, and the very sparse narration in the French language. So therefore, it is a film where nature in the raw unfolds before our eyes...without distractions of unnecessary conversation or sentimental music.

A few words about the fighting among the horses. Everyone knows this is common to determine status and rank in the herd. That is reality...in the animal world and, alas, in the human world also. What the film does is depict "White Man" as he truly is, wild. untamed, and even a little brutal.

This is poetry in film, plain and simple. This is allegory. And it is even ballet as the music - when it is played - is coordinated so perfectly with the movement of the cowboys or the horse. If you are someone who finds joy in watching a jackrabbit scampering along the cracked earth with a wild stallion accompanying his rhythms, then this is the film for you. May 14, 2008

Timely and True

Albeit this film may not be for more squeamish or very young children, it is something that most kids could relate to. Children like to see other kids being independent and doing things like tame horses and defy wayward adults. The depiction of animals is quite interesting and can provoke reactions of surprise as to the fluid and graceful moves of horses. The horse fighting might be too intense for some kids, but it is depicted as a natural behavior of horses and shows that there are pecking orders in all species. Kids who are having a difficult time in their own lives navigating the pecking order of school and other authority will relate especially well to this film. Sometimes just being understood can be a great morale boost to a troubled child. May 6, 2008

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