jghbrown This film is one of the best I have seen and I've watched hundreds. I don't have a problem at all with the narration of the horse's thoughts. One thing that the 20th century did teach us was that many animals whom many humans had assumed to be somewhat stupid, were in fact highly intelligent (and possibly more so than some humans). Pigs, crows, chickens, dogs, etc are just a few examples. Thus, "dumb" does not in any way describe the highly intelligent and sensitive animal which is the horse, other than to point out that it can't speak "human". Not to say that it can't communicate with humans, but then you have to know your particular horse intimately. Difficult in a relatively short movie.The narration cleverly and, in my opinion, very effectively, bridges this gap. Do horses know that they are about to be sold? Perhaps not, but they almost certainly are able to sense when something is amiss, and that's enough to build a story on.And what a great story it is, as we follow this beautiful animal's passage through life, with its ups and downs, loves and hates, terrors and joys. And even sly humour in places. Throughout, the photography is stunning, with charming shots of the English countryside, and amazing sequences of the horses playing and frolicking together. No sex, of course, which is only proper.Stupendous!

ma-cortes Exciting life of a horse named Black Beauty is here expanded to include the adventures of the humans who surround the horse . Set in 19th Century England , about the fates of horses, and the people who own and command them, are revealed as Black Beauty narrates the circle of his life and seen through its own carefree life . It deals with a horse's trials as it passes from an owner to owner , experiencing from benevolent guardianship to ignorant abuse . The unfortunate black stallion reminds his life through from his birth through his existence as a colt, and the many hardships , passing several owners both good and bad and suffering hardships after achieving maturity .Handsome take off of the Anna Sewell family novel but sometimes fails to capture qualities that make Sewell's book a classic . The animals in this film were in no way harmed or mistreated , and all scenes in which they appeared were under strict supervision with utmost concern for their handling . Narrated quite energetically by the horse itself with voice of Alan Cummins , as the story is told of the horse's life and through its profound and wizened eyes . The impressive scenery , photography and music enhance the story of ¨Black Beauty¨ and its adventures , sufferings and adversities . The tale is treated in good sense and high sensibility ; environment , horses , landscapes combine to enhance the glories of nature , one of which, after all, is silence . Good cast full of fine British actors as David Thewlis as Jerry Barker , Jim Carter as John Manly , Peter Davison as Squire Gordon , Alun Armstrong as Reuben Smith , John McEnery as Mr. York , Eleanor Bron as Lady Wexmire , the notorious Sean Bean , Peter Cook's last film and James Cosmo acting was cut out of this film . Colorful and glamorous cinematography by Alex Thompson. Sensitive as well as emotive musical score by Danny Elffman who married the screenwriter and filmmaker Caroline Thompson . The music all plays with the soul , it is so delicately composed, performed, and chosen for the movie that it is worth seeing just to enjoy the soundtrack . Other film based on this classic novel are the following : First silent version , 1921 , titled ¨Black Beauty ; first sound rendition of 1933 by Phil Rosen ; ¨Black Beauty¨ 1946 by Noel Nossek with Mona Freeman and Richard Denning ; ¨Courage of Black Beauty ¨ by Harold Schuster with Johnny Crawford ; ¨Black Beauty¨ 1971 by James Hill with Mark Lester , Walter Slezak, Maria Rohm and Peter Lee Lawrence and various TV movies and TV-series . This equine melodrama for grown-up adolescents and children will appeal to horses lovers ; resulting to be the best filmization of the classic story to date.

story_of_a_girl95 'Black Beauty' is such a brilliant film, and when I asked my friend if he had seen it, and he said no because it was a 'horsey' movie and they were always the exact same. I was actually quite angered at this statement, Black beauty is a different film all together. The film comparison with the book, was quite clear, while the story line was there, some of the message, that the author 'Anna Sewell' wrote the novel for, was lost in the film. The author originally wrote the book, to make people aware of the brutality and cruelty that was thrust upon horses in those days. Though the director (Caroline Thompson)demonstrated the message, through the bearing reins, whipping and jumps racing (where they raced ginger before she was fit). In the novel there are many events where they come along a horse and rider, who is being cruel, and help the horse. In the film there is no mention of that. Although all in all, it was a great film, and the voice-over of 'Alan Cumming' suited the film the butter to bread, it was his smooth real voice that you would believe, was the very voice inside Beauty's head. The characters well fitted there description in the novel, although what was lost was the story of ginger when she was younger, and how she was treated so badly. As well as the story of the old war horse 'Captain'.The film toys with your emotions and does bring a tear to your eye. twas the first film that actually made me cry, one of the favorites and ALWAYS will be.

Maxsa I love this film and have seen it a few times. I am totally prejudiced because I live on a horse ranch with four horses and mine is an ex-stallion big (16h3) and, oh yeah, he's black. You've got to give the film and the story some room and accept the anthropomorphic horse driven narrative. The story has all the highs and lows of cinematic drama without dipping into melodrama for more than a moment or two. There are several versions of the book and this is the best production and the most emotional. If you like Old Yeller or The Yearling and you have some Kleenex nearby and want to get completely lost in a wonderful epic of a horse's life and horses he encounters and all the people he crosses paths with then grab some popcorn and your tissues and saddle up with this great movie.