Black Beauty (1994)

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 | Colt | Animal Cruelty | Bridge | Horse Actor

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:

So far, this remains as of 2009, Peter Davison's first, last and only theatrical film release.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Black Beauty's mother, at the beginning, is freeze marked - a means of identification not available in those times.

Quotes:

Black Beauty: Oh! If people knew what a comfort to horses a light hand is, and how it keeps a good mouth and a good temper...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Benchwarmers (2006)

Beautiful, Moving

Black Beauty is, (at least in my opinion,) one of the most underrated films of all time. It seems to be widely ignored, for the reason that it doesn't seem to be targeted at any specific age group or audience. For the people that pass it by because it seems boring, or another childrens book adaptation, try it, it really is a wonderful picture. Anyone who likes animals, period pieces, or stories of courage and love would especially like it. The costumes, carriages and scenery are beautiful. And the horses! This movie is a horsepersons dream. The scenes featuring the horses were breathtaking...colts racing over green grass, a filly and pony trotting together, their sinewy legs moving together in smooth rhythm, an elegant black stallion rearing up; they were all absolutely beautiful. My favorite scene was the scene in which Beauty is being broken -(being taught to carry a rider). The wonderful line - "But once I discovered that he and I, that the two of us could become one, this business turned out to be perfectly glorious!" - the music swells, and the horse takes off, racing across the green, and everything else turns to a blur. (I get goosebumps thinking about it!)Kudos to the voice of Black Beauty - I don't know who it is, but he really made the picture. (And the horse, too - he was wonderful, a gentleman.) All in all, a beautiful, moving picture that no family should be without a copy of.(Some parts are sad.) Seven out of ten stars.