Yes! The team of white horses in Ben Hur were all splendid Arabians, a matched set.
There is one magnificent white Arabian stallion separate from the others on a Turkish train that was derailed in Lawrence of Arabia. (horses were unhurt AFAIK) - it was snatched up right quick by the Anthony Quinn character as war spoils.
I do love a dish-nosed Arabian horse (I drew them for hours, inspired by Marguerite Henry’s books) and a dapple gray one? I would sell my house and car to own one, lol!
There is a movie about a circus starring Miss Joan Crawford, from the 60’s, where she struts about as ringmaster - “Berserk”? - and among the astonishing number of animal acts there is a team of jet black Spanish Friesians with long wavy manes and tails - just magnificent creatures.
Cass Ole/The Black Stallion, Goliath/Ladyhawke, and Shadowfax/Lord of the Rings all come to mind. Seabiscuit amused me because the horse was so damn talkative–I figured that had to be Hollywood, right? Nope. Asking a horse community about this very chatty nature, several thoroughbred owners spoke up that their horses were as chatty as the one in the film.
I was impressed by Hidalgo–and also impressed they used multiple horses. That horse has a very distinct overo coat pattern that had to be damn hard to replicate in the various incarnations. I was amused watching him untie himself, since my boy can do the same thing. He’s either untying himself or just chomping through the damn thing.
The relationship between the lead and his buckskin Cisco in Dances With Wolves is very touching, and very accurate, for me. You see how distinct their personalities are, and how they are very much your partner. I loved that horse not because he was a spectacular specimen (though he is nice), but because he is just a damn good horse.
Since folks are requesting photos, I have to go with some of my recent finds. Anyone who doubts horses are competitive in races need to take a look at this photos–some horses get damn pissed when another horse tries to pass them. Chompy chompy!
And it’s not just racehorses. My 36" tall miniature mare OWNS my riding horse, who is more than quadruple her weight. When I turn them out together, she likes to lead him in the Race Around The Ring. Since her little legs just can’t cover the same ground his does, she cheats–she deliberately cuts corners to get ahead of him. If he gets too close, she pins her ears and snakes her neck at him, or kicks at him. He has learned to just contentedly canter behind her at a safe distance while she tangles up her legs in a flat run–decidedly in front of him. He knows she has teeth and hind legs, and isn’t afraid to use them.
I’m thankful this thread reminded me of Hidalgo – one of those movies that I didn’t really expect much from, and I was surprised at how terrific it was. And yes, great horses – it’s one of the best IMO of showing the personality of the horse – making him an actor rather than a prop.
Another movie with a great horse character is The Scalphunters, Burt Lancaster holds conversations with his horse, and the horse and what it can do are pretty integral to the plot.
I don’t see it mentioned and it’s just a brief appearance, but there’s a shot in The Fisher King where the camera sort of swings from reality to Robin Williams’s hallucinations (set in Central Park, IIRC). What he sees is the terrifying Red Knight following them, and I remember being completely wowed/amazed at the horse they used.
Very, very well done shot, IMHO. You just sort of slide over the edge into his madness, and back again.
ETA: I guess he sees it several times; there are various clips on YouTube.
Agreed. Viggo Mortensen bought his horse, Brego, from the studio at the end of the shoot.
And Airplane! (can’t find that particular scene on YouTube, though, dammit).
If you haven’t read it, I recommend Robert Lawson’s kids book Mr. Revere and I, written as if told by Paul Revere’s horse. Good history, some funny jokes, and Lawson’s usual beautiful illustrations.
Yes, Yes, Yes! Not one, but four of the most beautiful horses you will ever see. The multiplication factor alone makes them spectacular!
For television..I give you Trigger, Gene’s Champion, and Silver, but look at Matt’s mount in Gunsmoke (no, I’m not talking about Miss Kitty). That is nice horseflesh. Pre television, I might point to Tony the wonder horse.
papsett has mentioned The Man From Snowy River. Spectacular cinematography, if a slightly corny story. Scenes of wild horses charging in slow motion through snow are strikingly beautiful. And there is a scene where a horse is ridden pell-mell down a steep incline that is very impressive.
Here someone has matched excerpts from the MFSR with a recitation of the poem on which it is based. Youtube doesn’t do justice to the cinematography, but you get an idea.
I think that movie is called Pale Rider. And the horse Clint rides in Outlaw Josey Wales is incredible. I detest Sandra Locke but have endured her assinine performance in that movie over and over again just to see that amazingly beautiful horse.
More on Blanco here: 
