Miracle of the White Stallions (1963) 9 of 12

Based on a true story, the 1963 film Miracle of the White Stallions is set in Vienna during WWII, where Colonel Alios Podhajsky (an actual historical figure) begged the German army to be allowed to evacuate the world-famous Lipizzan stallions for their own safety. Although initially denied permission by the Nazis, he chose to disobey orders at great personal risk and flee along with his staff during the night to get the horses to the countryside where they would be less threatened by bombing; it was likely only the horses' courage under fire that his efforts were successful, as the convoy was attacked but the horses remained cool and calm and were able to be rescued. Thus, the centuries-old Spanish Riding School took refuge at St. Martins and survived by living for a decade in exile. Dangers remained, however, as the staff had to protect both the horses and the school's property property from desperate refugees with nothing to lose and train the horses under extraordinary circumstances to put on a performance to impress Patton, the American general who was the only one who could truly guarantee the school's safety. In addition, Podhajsky needed to convince the Americans to rescue the breeding stock mares, who were being held in Czechslovakia after being moved from the stud in Piber, Austria. In the end, the mares and stallions are reunited and ten years after the war ended, the horses were back performing in the baroque riding hall in Vienna.

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Pets & Animals

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• White
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• 1963
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• 12

[deddygetty]

The actual story is much better than the movie. By the time Patton saw this horse show the breeding herd in Hostau had already been in the possession of the 2d Cavalry for several days.

[HotVoodooWitch]

@pinz2022 I'm not sure what you're getting at. My point was that Disney was very into the sanitary and that even an allusion to SOS was surprising. As to the music, it's Schubert and I doubt he wrote it with the Spanish Riding School in mind.

[pinz2022]

@HotVoodooWitch

It had only been eighteen years since the war. Probably a third of the guys on the film had served. Either in WWII or Korea.  Though maybe there were a few arguments before the sh*t on a sh*ngle reference was included in the script.

[pinz2022]

@kristinturn89

That's what the Taliban would say too!

On another note, I've read an article stating that in recent years, most of the champion thoroughbred racers have been mares.

[pinz2022]

@HotVoodooWitch

Is the music composed for the performance or is it the other way around?

[pinz2022]

@FillyFurios

But can you get em' to do the moonwalk?

[pinz2022]

@qaouali09

Patton was a bit of a New Age hippie. He wrote passable poetry, and believed he'd been reincarnated many times down through the centuries; always as a soldier.

The actor playing him is way too young.

[pinz2022]

@HotVoodooWitch

Take careful notice. When they do the extreme stunts you can't see the rider's face. The actors didn't do the heavy stuff.

[dappledbaybeauty]

well I gess you didnt say it good but you said it lol so FUNNY xD and good on the american :D but he should have clapped

[HotVoodooWitch]

@qaouali09 Didn't you read the credits? The performances were under the direction of Alois Podhajsky.

Very daring of a Disney film to make reference to SOS!