Customer Reviews

The Winter Stallion (The Christmas Stallion): A Story of Love and Hope

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An orphaned 16-year-old Welsh girl, Gwen (Sian MacLean) again has to deal with the loss that death brings when her grandfather passes away after being thrown in a riding accident. She's left to handle the family farm and all the horses on it until her uncle (Daniel J. Travanti) enters the picture, wanting to sell the property to a greedy land developer. One possible way to keep the farm is for Gwen to enter her beloved black stallion Mabon (named for a Pagan holiday) in the Christmas Costume Race. The climatic scene showing Gwen as an angel riding against Father Christmas and an elf, among others, is certainly one of the more unique racing scenes in the movies - think of it as the Doo-Dah Parade on horseback.

Staci Layne Wilson

Previously released as the "Christmas Stallion",Gwen Davies(Sian MacLean),a 16 year old orphan,has lived a lifetime on her Grandfather's farm in Wales.Her love for him and the magnificent horses they raise is her entire life.She is devastated by her Grandfather's death-to lose him and possibly sell the farm.Under her Grandfather's Will her Uncle Alan(Daniel J. Travanti) from America who has been away for 20 years assumes responsibility.It's clear to Gwen that Alan will sell the Farm to Christopher Howard,a greedy property developer who will go to extreme lengths to buy it.She takes refuge in her work with her Magnificent Stallion that was her Grandfather's future hopes and the sole love in young Gwen's life.Will Gwen be able to keep the Farm and the Horses?Alan's decisision is not only crucial for Gwen but would also help him come to terms with his tragic past which makes this a Wonderful Christmas Story of Love and Hope!!

Predictable story enlivened by moody Welsh scenery, depictions of village life at Christmastime, and appealing cast. Horse lovers may wish the equine players figured more prominently in the story, and in less pedestrian ways, but still a nice addition to the video library.

This movie is a very charming and delightful story that leaves one with a very nice feeling when it is over. It brings up good points about the age old debate of tradition versus progress. It gives an interesting look into rural Welsh life and overall it is a fairly clean movie. I very much recommend it.

My sister gave this to me in the VHS format for Christmas three or four years ago and I do watch it every December, but it is not one of my favorite horse movies. The film was shot in Wales and stars Daniel Travanti (Hill Street Blues, Adam). The main character is a young girl who is dealt a blow at the beginning with the death of her grandfather, owner of a horse ranch, but she is reunited with her estranged uncle (Travanti) who now deals with the strong will of his niece who wants to keep the farm while he wants to sell it. Along the way we get an idea of peoples' lives in the small village in the wild country of Wales. Near the end comes the important race which I thought was a bit odd looking, but I am not used to entrants dressed up in outlandish costumes. The most interesting part of the race was the revealing of an incident that happened to Gwen's uncle when he was young that left him with a fear of horses that at least helps the viewer understand why he wants to sell the ranch. All in all, though, it did not hold my interest as National Velvet or Sylvester did, or even Phar Lap.

THE FILM WAS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE. A VERY GOOD STORY LINE. OVERALL IT WAS AN EXCLLENT FILM

I have just finished viewing this video, and I think it was absolutly HORRIBLE! It may be good if you are in it for holiday spirit, but if you like horses, I'd dare not get near to buying this movie! In a very important race, Malbon is in from with another horse, batteling head to head. The other is much swifter, probably a Thoroughbred, with a tiny little carrige in back. Malbon on the other hand is a huge Fresian, with a gigantic carrige. At many scenes in this race, the rival's rider pulls back so Malbon can get ahead. Totally unrealistic horse wise, would not recomend it to any true horseman!