Thursday 20 August 2009

'Miracle of the White Horses'!

When I posted earlier re the TV programe & theme tune 'White Horses', it also triggered another memory, about a Disney film featuring The Vienna Spanish Riding School & their wonderful Lippanzer horses.
With recollections vague I went in search of it on YouTube and was not disappointed.
The film 'Miracle of the White Stallions' (1963) is based on a true story.
The following plot synopsis is courtesy of the video maker elmonjeblanco.

"Actor Robert Taylor is Colonel Alois Podhajsky, the instructor and the director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, whose Lipizzan stallions, are seriously endangered by the constant bombardment of the city during the final days of the World War II.
When the allies's attacks began, he had asked the Nazi Government to move the School out of Vienna but his petition had been denied.
Terribly concerned about his beloved horses under increasing bombardment, Colonel Podhajsky once more time asks for a permission to evacuate the School immediately but his request is also denied once more time.
Desperate, he looks for the help of friend General Tellheim (Curt Jurgens) who, although reluctant at first, signs an order permitting Podhajsky and his chief rider, Otto (Eddie Albert) to take the white stallions out of the School transporting them to a secure place...

(Continuation from clip I)

Finally Colonel Podhajsky along with his wife Vedena (Lilli Palmer),and his white stallions gets to escape from Vienna taking refuge at old castle belonging to friend the Countess Arco-Valley, St. Martin.
But the permanency and continuity of the School is still in danger.
The Lipizzaner mares are in Czechoslovakia, where Russians have not come yet.
When American Army arrives at the city, Colonel asks the Americans for protection, for the Spanish Riding School, and help to rescue Lipizzan mares but...

Note: The Lipizzaner Stallions exhibitions showed in this Walt Disney's production, were choreographed by the real Colonel Alios Podhajsky himself.

1 comment:

Maggie & Mitch said...

The Miracle of the White Horses looks like an excellent movie, Blue! We would love to see the whole thing - with popcorn of course!
Thank you for posting it!

Love,
Maggie and Mitch and Sue