International Velvet (1978)

A charming sequel to the hit National Velvet follows our young heroine and her trusty steed overseas.

Director:

Bryan Forbes

Writers:

Enid Bagnold (novel), Bryan Forbes

Stars:

Tatum O'Neal, Christopher Plummer, Anthony Hopkins

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tatum O'Neal	...	Sarah Brown
Christopher Plummer	...	John Seaton
Anthony Hopkins	...	Captain Johnson
Nanette Newman	...	Velvet Brown
Peter Barkworth	...	Pilot
Dinsdale Landen	...	Mr. Curtis
Sarah Bullen	...	Beth
Jeffrey Byron	...	Scott Saunders
Richard Warwick	...	Tim
Daniel Abineri	...	Wilson
Jason White	...	Roger
Martin Neil	...	Mike
Douglas Reith	...	Howard
Dennis Blanch	...	Policeman
Norman Wooland	...	Team Doctor

Storyline

A charming sequel to the hit National Velvet follows our young heroine and her trusty steed overseas.

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Plot Keywords:

sequel | friendship | maturity | coming of age | olympics | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Sport

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 September 1978 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

Sarah

Filming Locations:

Charnock Richard, Wigan, Greater Manchester, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min 116 min (Turner library print)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Many of the Olympic judges were - in real life - the coach drivers charged with carrying the actors to and from their hotel.

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Goofs

When the horses are being loaded onto and unloaded off the aircraft, the engine covers are clearly displayed. These are only used when an aircraft is parked overnight, or stored out of service. They would certainly be removed long before flight (the crew are shown going through pre-start checks), and not placed back over the engines immediately after landing (they were visible as the "passengers" were getting off the aircraft).

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Connections

Featured in Meeting the Challenge: International Velvet (1978)

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Soundtracks

"Over the Rainbow"
(uncredited)
Music by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg

User Reviews

A beautifully filmed, heartfelt coming-of-age family movie

Like its predecessor, National Velvet, International Velvet (1978) boasts a stellar cast: teenager Tatum O'Neal, the gorgeous Nanette Newman, and leading men Christopher Plummer and Sir Anthony Hopkins. It also has a more believable plot and a top-notch writer/director in Bryan Forbes (The Stepford Wives, The Slipper and the Rose, The Guns of Navarone, Colditz). The main stories are Sarah Brown's (O'Neal), an American orphan who finds herself in England with an aunt she doesn't know (Newman as the adult Velvet Brown), and of the horses and people inextricably entwined in their lives. A poignant and graceful growing up story of the challenges facing a difficult teenager and the adults who raise her, International Velvet has something for both horse lovers and non horse-lovers alike. More important than Sarah's bid for the Olympics is the love that is won. The cinematography and Francis Lai's soundtrack are stunning and awards worthy; Tatum should have won another Oscar with this role, too. Beautiful scenery. An under-rated feel-good family film!

Warning: Box of tissues useful when watching this movie as, amid the love and triumph, there is some gritty realism.