Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 10+
The slow-paced horse training story has some violence.
Not present
Not present
Based on 2 opinions of parents
What is the story?
Pierre (Quentin Krog) is a college student who excels in athletics, but when his ankles begin to bleed, doctors tell him he can never run again. Depressed and disillusioned with life, Pierre gives up his studies in theology and decides to go home. He meets an injured and temperamental horse named Tornado, whose problems seem to mirror his own, and decides to help Tornado become healthy and tame. Pierre takes Tornado to a stable in the Kalahari desert, where a horse whisperer named Barrie Burger (Danny Keogh) helps Pierre understand the nature of horses. Together, Pierre and Tornado form a symbiotic relationship, in which Tornado seems to help Pierre through his difficult times as much as the other way around.
Is it good?
The slow pace of this journey will likely turn off younger viewers accustomed to more bells, whistles and non-stop action. Compared to other movies about the relationship between horses and the people who love them, RIDE THE TORNADO is as slow as you can imagine life would be in a small desert town in the Kalahari desert (where the movie is set). The theme of a troubled young man learning and growing as much as a troubled horse he’s training is interesting enough, even if it’s overdone with the reckless “horse whisperer” characters who only speak in stoic musings.
Despite this, the shots of sunrises and sunsets in the Kalahari desert are quite beautiful, and the film offers an insight into South African life and culture. Riding Tornado tries hard to drive his points home, but for horse lovers everywhere, this film should be enjoyable, as well as an affirmation of their own feelings about horse care and training.
Talk to your kids about…
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Families can discuss the environment of South Africa. What cultural similarities and differences with other countries do you notice and how are the customs and culture of the South African desert town conveyed in the film?
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How is it Riding Tornado similar and different from other movies where horses are central to the story?
Did we miss something about diversity?
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