Black Beauty (1994)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Caroline Thompson

Writers (WGA):

Anna Sewell (novel)
Caroline Thompson (screenplay)

Release Date:

29 July 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Family | Romance

Plot:

The fates of horses, and the people who own and command them, are revealed as Black Beauty narrates the circle of his life.

Plot Keywords:

Horse | Horse Actor | Farm Animal | Big City | Country Fair

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Sean Bean	...	Farmer Grey
David Thewlis	...	Jerry Barker
Jim Carter	...	John Manly
Peter Davison	...	Squire Gordon
Alun Armstrong	...	Reuben Smith
John McEnery	...	Mr. York
Eleanor Bron	...	Lady Wexmire
Peter Cook	...	Lord Wexmire
Adrian Ross Magenty	...	Lord George
Alan Cumming	...	Black Beauty (voice)
Lyndon Davies	...	Head Groom
Georgina Armstrong	...	Jessica Gordon
Gemma Paternoster	...	Molly Gordon
Anthony Walters	...	Alfred Gordon
Rosalind Ayres	...	Mistress Gordon

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Canada:F (Ontario) | Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | Netherlands:6 | South Korea:All | Australia:G | UK:U | USA:G | Singapore:PG | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Black Park Country Park, Wexham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

James Cosmo was cut out of this film.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Beauty is walking around and around in his stall after Ginger goes crazy, his bearing rein is loose/practically undone. Although, after Ruben examines the wound on Beauty's leg, he undoes the rein.

Quotes:

Black Beauty: We don't get to choose the people in our lives. For us, it's all chance.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Notting Hill (1999)

Timeless Story Telling

Though this is reviewed many years hence it is one of the time honored testaments of this media even some ten plus years having past,that this tribute was never the more beautiful then even now some ten years plus since then.This contribution comes at the expense of ones heart as you grow in the knowledge of the possibility of a dream.Reality provides the greatest test of ones courage under fire,though "Black Beauty" is billed as a child's film,this adult had a very hard time not caring a great deal about the wonderous even glorious relation we share with the animal kingdom and nature.The film seems to be beautifully constructed perhaps deliberately with many areas of the film working very well.It is a beautifully photographed film where these magnificent creatures are showcased and nature is highlighted.There is in the telling of this story a narrator whose ability to place intelligence in the very heart of these magnificent beasts is heart warming and engaging,truly this story skirts the issue of inspiration,it is that beautifully told.Historically soundtracks are there for a reason,this soundtrack almost steals the show,it is such a testament to the creative abilities of Daniel Elfman.It is literally a great piece of musical composition and motion picture scoring.If the reader wishes to know first hand listen closely from the very start and the human heart will be tested as to its ability to break.So loving and eloquent is this musical interlude that rarely is this mark been attained,it is beautiful.I watched this film 4 times in less than 24 hours and each time one of the reasons why I watched again and again was the lovely even emotional interplay between the film and the music.However last but not least though only for children it may very well be,it was very hard to take when the suffering ensues and the majestic Black Beauty and Ginger struggle to survive.Truly it is a lovely sentimental story deeply held and faithfully portrayed.The belief in a better world or in the dream of another world is even now a thoughtful and abiding conviction in the love we share when we share that love with each other.This is more than a children's story but a lessen in caring and it may actually surprise you to know that we must care for the wild as we have the privilege of dominion over the wild.We must never abuse that privilege and always care as a caretaker cares,such is the testament to this graceful telling of the life of Black Beauty.Highly recommended for both children and adults alike.