Black Beauty

This film is truly excellent. Not only does it feature superb location and music, but it is also an unforgettable story. You soon learn to look past the idea of "animals can't talk" and see how wonderful it really is, and you don't need to be young to enjoy. So powerful, it will bring you to tears.

There are so many things to love about Black Beauty. It is a truly beautiful, moving film, and do I think it is underrated? Yes I do and unjustly so. For one thing, Black Beauty is just amazing to look at. The cinematography was just tremendous throughout and the scenery was magnificent. The costumes were lovingly designed, and on the whole the period detail was flawless. Caroline Thompson's screenplay also deserves credit. The book is a timeless literary classic, and out of the numerous adaptations of the book, this is the truest. The screenplay itself is enough to evoke tears, Black Beauty's inner thoughts especially were so beautifully written. And she does a remarkable job directing as well. Danny Elfman is one of my favourite film composers, his score for Edward Scissorhands is still one of the most beautiful scores I have ever heard in a film. His score here is just as effective, it never affects the quiet composition of the film, as a matter of fact the tone of it is just right. The acting from Sean Bean, David Thewlis, Peter Cook and Eleanor Bron is all top notch, but the real star of the show is Black Beauty himself, though all the horses look superb. I also thought that Alan Cumming's voice for Black Beauty was perfect, very sensitive and melodious as it should be. The film is so beautiful and has a lot of poignant moments and an unexpected soft centre. If I had one minor quibble, and it is ever so minor, it is that the film is too short. Other than that beautiful; I remember sort of liking the 1971 film, but it didn't have the emotional impact that this adaptation did on me. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Black Beauty is true to Anna Sewell's wonderful book, and the beautiful scenery and music enhance the story of Black Beauty's adventures with his friends. We laughed and cried in the same places during the movie as we did when reading the book. Thank you to all responsible for creating this movie and making one of our favorite stories come to life before our eyes!

Whether you happen to be a serious horse-hugger, or not, 1994's "Black Beauty" (impressively directed by Caroline Thompson) is an emotionally-charged tale that I'm sure will tug on your heart-strings in a very special way.

Beautifully photographed by Alex Thomson, "Black Beauty's" story of trust and betrayal (which was based on Anna Sewell's novel of the same name) was set in England in the late-1800s.

As the viewer is soon to find out - Awaiting the magnificent, black stallion in this top-notch story are both good times and bad times - And, yes, as well, there are times for this fine steed that are sure to break your heart (if you have one).

Regardless of your age, I guarantee that "Black Beauty" will, most certainly, leave you moved by its first-rate story-telling.

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.