- Actors: Mark Lester, Walter Slezak, Peter Lee Lawrence, Uschi Glas, Patrick Mower
- Directors: James Hill
- Writers: James Hill, Artur Brauner, Anna Sewell, Pedro Samu, Wolf Mankowitz
- Producers: Artur Brauner, Harry Alan Towers
- Classification: PG
- Studio: Fabulous Films
- VHS Release Date: 18 Feb 2002
- Run Time: 106 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CIB2
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 18,081 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
It would be easy to pass by this movie, based on Anna Sewell's famous novel Black Beauty, on the assumption that it's dated and twee. Well, perhaps it is a little, but the sheer quality of the whole enterprise places it in the front rank of children's cinema classics. Screenwriter Wolf Mankowitz's ability to harness both literary and popular techniques in the same work (also true of his written fiction) remains unsurpassed in this captivating tale of Beauty's eventful life, from being raised as a foal by the devoted Joe (Lester), then passing through the hands of various owners before being purchased by, supposedly, Miss Sewell herself, to be once more cared for by a now-adult Joe who is in her employ. Along the way, Beauty passes through the hands of gypsies, a circus owner, a family of aristocrats and is even ridden into war, with each episode being expertly cast (Mower is in particularly fine form as a mad, bad and dangerous army officer) and produced to the highest cinematic standards--even the exterior lighting is perfect. Absolutely recommended.
The 4:3 DVD is a transfer of exceptionally high quality and includes the cinema trailer, an image gallery of stills and collector-enthusing promotional ephemera (presented in a thumb-saving slideshow format) and, rather incongruously, a trailer for Help! I'm a Fish!--Roger Thomas
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
After watching this film, I actually had to go back and check the novel to make sure I had read it properly. The DVD cover says, 'the faithful adaptation of Anna Sewell's classic novel'. I'd really like to know which copy they read!
The entire story is different; it's almost as if someone flicked through the book, picked out the character names and then made the rest of it up. Black Beauty has the same name, but Joe Green is now Joe something-or-other and lives on the farm where he is born, Ginger is now a gelding, and the local squire dies, his son takes over, is cruel to Beauty and then perishes a la Reuben Smith in the novel. There is also a peculiar scene where Beauty is ridden by a gypsy in a drunken race.
Having never watched the series, I can't say if it's based on the television programme as opposed to the novel. Needless to say, being a fan of the book I was rather disappointed. The young (at the time) actor from Oliver features as the young boy, and unfortunately the emphasis is on the human characters; Black Beauty is rather a background catalyst for the various social observations. The film also tiptoes around many of the original author's points, for instance the hunt scene, one of the few scenes that actually comes from the book, is modified so that it is the cruel squire mistreating his horse that makes it unpleasant, as opposed to Sewell's opinion that it is a cruel and dangerous practice for all involved.
This version of Black Beauty, if it can be named as such,is perhaps the least faithful adaptation I have ever seen. That is not to say that it is unwatchable; it's a family slice of nostalgia if nothing else. Adults can identify with the various human struggles, as children can with the friendship between Joe and the horse. I just got the feeling that someone had a rather average idea for a horse story and decided to label it as Black Beauty to attract more attention. Disappointing, but only if you are a fan of the book.
The entire story is different; it's almost as if someone flicked through the book, picked out the character names and then made the rest of it up. Black Beauty has the same name, but Joe Green is now Joe something-or-other and lives on the farm where he is born, Ginger is now a gelding, and the local squire dies, his son takes over, is cruel to Beauty and then perishes a la Reuben Smith in the novel. There is also a peculiar scene where Beauty is ridden by a gypsy in a drunken race.
Having never watched the series, I can't say if it's based on the television programme as opposed to the novel. Needless to say, being a fan of the book I was rather disappointed. The young (at the time) actor from Oliver features as the young boy, and unfortunately the emphasis is on the human characters; Black Beauty is rather a background catalyst for the various social observations. The film also tiptoes around many of the original author's points, for instance the hunt scene, one of the few scenes that actually comes from the book, is modified so that it is the cruel squire mistreating his horse that makes it unpleasant, as opposed to Sewell's opinion that it is a cruel and dangerous practice for all involved.
This version of Black Beauty, if it can be named as such,is perhaps the least faithful adaptation I have ever seen. That is not to say that it is unwatchable; it's a family slice of nostalgia if nothing else. Adults can identify with the various human struggles, as children can with the friendship between Joe and the horse. I just got the feeling that someone had a rather average idea for a horse story and decided to label it as Black Beauty to attract more attention. Disappointing, but only if you are a fan of the book.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
What can you say. One of the classic pieces of literature about the companionship shared between a group of young friends and the most beautiful horse ever seen in a film. This is a timeless piece of work beautifully constructed and superbly directed this is a heart warming tale that will appeal to young and old alike. It is impossible to see this film and not be moved by the deep relationship formed between the horse and the children. Be warned though this film has the saddest ending I have ever seen. I won't give it away but have a box of tissues on standby. Maybe not a film that will appeal to everyone but a film that will appeal to a large enough majority to warrent the rating I have given it. See this film!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
this DVD is an excellent buy! A very touching improvisation of Anna Sewells novel. You can see the tragedy and the hope. Sad, Sad ending! would recomend for horse fans over the age of 10!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
BLACK BEAUTY
A REALLY TOUCHING FILM MADE IN THE 1970'S WHEN ALL FILMS AND TV SHOW'S WENT THROUGH A REVIVAL OF THE VICTORIAN ERA-SAD AT TIMES BUT A REALLY HEARTFRELT ENDING-A GREAT FILM FOR... Read more
Published 10 months ago by James Toner
nice enough movie, but poor adaptation......
In itself this is not a bad movie, but the only thing it really shares with the book is Black Beauty himself and the most basic bare bones of the storyline. Read more
Published 14 months ago by LupinePhasmatis
a wonderful family classic
Bought this as a bit of a chilhood remenis for me and thought my children would enjoy it (age 5 and 7). We sat in silence and all loved it, happy parts, sad parts. Read more
Published 16 months ago by claire
Mark Lester shines in this one
I agree with the comments of Ms J.A.Jacobs about this film bearing little resemblance to its source material, the novel, but it does have a few fine things going for it. Read more
Published on 17 Jan 2007 by Mr. Db Rayner
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