User reviews

Orphaned American girl comes to stay with her aunt in England, who once was a famous horse rider when she was a child. Belated follow-up to Elizabeth Taylor's girlhood triumph "National Velvet" has an excellent cast: Nanette Newman is solid in Taylor's former role, now a grown woman living with her wily lover, Christopher Plummer, who is perfect; Anthony Hopkins is also superb as a stern taskmaster. In the lead, Tatum O'Neal, affecting a curious 'mature' façade, disappoints--odd considering the director was Bryan Forbes, who usually excels with child actors. The young star is far more convincing playing Sarah in her older teen years than as a schoolgirl, but this is counterproductive since the movie runs too long and wears out its welcome. Hardly a washout, but not the heart-tugging, tear-jerking family film it was intended to be. **1/2 from ****

International Velvet is the sequel to National Velvet. This must be a record in the gap between the original and sequel, a gap of 34 years! Anyway, it's a shame Elizabeth Taylor didn't appear in the sequel but I guess she was busy and so on.

Tatum O'Neal is decent in the role, a few years I think before she met John McEnroe.

This is a good, enjoyable and fairly accurate depiction of the eventing world, with plenty of good riding action (shot with real event riders, not stunt actors) - a perfect movie for riding fans. Yes, it is set in a world of fairly wealthy people with posh accents, but that is the context of the film. You don't find many ethnic minority people from housing estates, with cockney accents, competing in top level eventing (even now).

Fans of the book National Velvet will spot lots of inconsistencies (The Pie isn't piebald and the dates are wrong). If viewed as a completely separate film in it's own right, though, then the interactions between the heroine and her 'adoptive' parents are very genuine. Even so, the plot is incidental to the riding and so some parts are a bit weak, but that won't bother any horse fans. And to the various reviewers who commented on the heroine being played by an American actor - they obviously haven't actually seen the film because the heroine is American.

Orphaned Tatum O'Neal moves to Britain to live with her aunt Velvet and live-in boyfriend, writer Christopher Plummer. Like auntie, who won the National, Miss O'Neal falls in love with the last colt of Pie, and tries out for the National team.

Clearly intended to tug at the heart strings of people who loved the first movie, this one doesn't succeed on that count. Where it works, thanks to writer-director Brian Forbes, is in painting portraits of the characters, particularly Plummer, and team coach Anthony Hopkins. Hopkins is particularly good, with a lot of humor in his tough, supercilious character.

Despite the focus being on Miss O'Neal, her character is far less complicated and interesting -- at least to me, who am not horse-mad. Forces' wife, Nannette Newman, plays Velvet -- it was hoped that Elizabeth Taylor would reprise her role -- and their daughter, Emma Forbes, has a small part.

This flop never stood a chance of succeeding without Elizabeth Taylor's involvement, and if Liz ever saw this script she probably read 10 pages and winged it out the window with a noxious chuckle. What is meant to be a continuation of National Velvet, one of the best movies of the 1940's, is really a typical piece of slapdash 70's cinema. Any ties this story has to the original National Velvet, you feel, were contrived in re-writes to try and cash in in on some kind of marquee recognition. A film about equestrian riding starring Tatum O'Neal circa 1978 was only going to appeal to horse lovers and 12 year old girls.

The story is hardly even or focused. The running time of 127 minutes could have been trimmed by at least a half hour to get rid of a pointless would-be romantic subplot, a potential gang rape, and about 15 minutes of endless riding shots (supposedly set at the Olympics of 1980, but the producers use footage from the 1974 opening ceremonies in Munich).

Nanette Newman is adequate as Velvet Brown but her involvement in the story offers little more than comforting moral support for the first half of the film. She and beau Christopher Plummer are pretty much left behind when trainer Anthony Hopkins comes on the scene. Hopkins does a decent job with his role but still doesn't manage to breathe into the production more than a flicker of life. O'Neal is utterly cold and unsympathetic as the plucky teenage heroine. And like the pseudo-named author he creates in the film, Plummer phones his over-cheery performance in from long distance to collect a pay check.

The only thing this film has really going for it other than Hopkins is the scenery.

This movie might have had a chance had they cast someone other than Tatum O'Neal in the lead. It's understandable why they did so, given her seemingly luminous performance in 'Paper Moon'. But in 'International Velvet', she proves the old adage that child actors rarely if ever grow up to be good adolescent or adult actors, unless they receive (additional) training as adult actors.

In any case, Tatum ruins this film. Her acting and line-readings are shallow, silly, inappropriate, and non-believable. Not only that, it's fairly obvious that she not only doesn't like horses, she actively dislikes them.

To close, I'll state that even all these years later, Tatum O'Neal's performance in this film remains the very worst performance I've ever seen a "name-brand" actor give.

I saw this movie when I was 13. I think I must have seen it 50 times if not more. I bought 2 copies of the book, and have collected more than a few items of memorabilia that have to do with the movie over the years. I was so jealous of Tatum O'Neal, I wished it was me in the picture. I have been to Ledyard-where they filmed Sarah's first visit to the US as a member of the US team and it was awesome to see the 3 day eventing up close and personal. I love horses and even had my own for quite a while. (I even wanted to change his name to Arizona Pie but figured since he'd had his name for sometime that every time I called him, I was afraid he wouldn't come!!!) I have a copy of the movie and treasure it like it's gold! This movie is for anyone young or old who loves horses. It's a great family movie and one to be watched over and over again.

I noticed that the IMDB classes INTERNATIONAL VELVET as an American movie , this despite the fact it`s filmed in Britain , has a British director and an almost entirely British cast . Mind you it is funded with American money and produced by an American studio so by definition it is technically an American movie

I guess that`s why INTERNATIONAL VELVET has such a typically American ethnocentric view of the English . Another reviewer has stated that everyone talks in ridiculous and posh accents etc and I totally agree , it`s laughable the way the Brits are portrayed in this movie though perhaps not as laughable as Tatum O`Neal`s " English " accent which is every bit as bad as Al Pacino`s " Scottish " accent in REVOLUTION . I guess if the heroine was played by a genuine English actress an American audience wouldn`t be able to relate to her

INTERNATIONAL VELVET is a rather drab movie that`s best viewed on a boring Sunday afternoon which was when I saw it . I will give the movie credit for the scene where the German rider falls off his horse because for some unexplained reason I found this rather amusing in a movie devoid of amusement

Like its predecessor, National Velvet, International Velvet (1978) boasts a stellar cast: teenager Tatum O'Neal, the gorgeous Nanette Newman, and leading men Christopher Plummer and Sir Anthony Hopkins. It also has a more believable plot and a top-notch writer/director in Bryan Forbes (The Stepford Wives, The Slipper and the Rose, The Guns of Navarone, Colditz). The main stories are Sarah Brown's (O'Neal), an American orphan who finds herself in England with an aunt she doesn't know (Newman as the adult Velvet Brown), and of the horses and people inextricably entwined in their lives. A poignant and graceful growing up story of the challenges facing a difficult teenager and the adults who raise her, International Velvet has something for both horse lovers and non horse-lovers alike. More important than Sarah's bid for the Olympics is the love that is won. The cinematography and Francis Lai's soundtrack are stunning and awards worthy; Tatum should have won another Oscar with this role, too. Beautiful scenery. An under-rated feel-good family film!

Warning: Box of tissues useful when watching this movie as, amid the love and triumph, there is some gritty realism.

Luckily, horse lovers, particularly girls, will sit through two hours of B-Grade acting and weak plots for fifteen minutes of footage of showjumping. National Velvet, in which a little girl called Velvet Brown wins the grand national, was set in the 1920s.....in International Velvet, the now adult Velvet has reached 40 years of age.....International Velvet should be set in the 1950s. Instead, somehow it is the 70s, Velvet is in a defacto relationship with big hair and flared jeans and the link is at best tenuous. Would have been great if Elizabeth Taylor had played the adult Velvet at a realistic age, since she played Velvet in the original that made her a star.... Whatever, the horses are beautiful, the footage of cross country events and the birth of a foal is wonderful.....so girls like my pony-mad daughter won't notice the glaring inconsistencies, extraneous characters that serve no purpose, or the soap operatic sentimentality and nauseating 70s soundtrack. Great acting by Tatum O'Neal and Anthony Hopkins....although he would probably prefer to forget it!

this sequel,made thirty pus year after National Velvet is nowhere near as good,in my opinion.it lacks the warmth,charm and magic.it's also too long and has a melancholy feeling running throughout it.i could have done without the voice over narration,which i found irritating.i also found the music to be overly dramatic,hitting those inspirational notes at all the right moments.the original film has none of that.it was simple well told,well acted movie.one other thing i have to mention is that the main character her isn't particularly likable,or even very sympathetic.honestly,except for the final fifteen or twenty minutes ,i was bored out of my skull.for me,International Velvet is a 3/10

This movie is my all time favorite movie. I want to be riding Arazonia Pi! This is definitely how i want my life to turn out (riding career wise)!!! Even better than National Velvet. If i could i would watch this movie day after day and i wouldn't even get the least bit sick of it. If you are an eventer you should definitely see this movie. It i an inspirational movie. Makes me want to go back to the barn and ride again or go to another event.The love that this girl has for her horse is wonderfully delightful. The support she gets from her aunt Velvet and her "Uncle" is also great. People from the age of 2 to 190 will like this movie. There are sad parts, happy parts, parts that make you mad, all kinds of emotions.

I absolutely love this movie, I cry every time...maybe because as a girl, I always wanted to ride in the Olympics, I don't know. Of course it isn't the same as the original, (another movie I love), but it's set in a completely different time...

The riding sequences were great, the references to the original were good, and overall, the acting was pretty good. Christopher Plummer was a surprise, and I loved Anthony Hopkins in his part as the taskmaster coach!

I own the video, and have shown it to my young daughters...they love it too!

A piece of fluff definitely, but for a girl who had a dream...it's awesome!

I have read a comment from another person who comments upon the lack of ethnic inclusion. This film is based in the very early years when ethnic minorities were not even considered, therefore I really don't think ethnic status is that relevant. It also may be seen as dull by todays standards but it is a classic which cannot be repeated no matter who takes the lead role. Yes it is a film where everyone is perfect and by some peoples standards a little cheesy but my advice would be: if you don't like it don't watch it. For families where horses are a part of life then this film makes a change from the violence etc on the TV now. The thing which I find can have the most effect is that the moral of the story is that you shouldn't give up when the odds are stacked against you - a prime example of life which most children should learn.

It is a pity that a picture like this doesn't receive the same publicity as so many others that are merely a bargage ( some of them have even won an Oscar )

This is a must see for all families. It's a beautiful story about an orphan child who has to move to another country to live with her aunt, and how the relationship between them grows better as time passes by.

Her aunt won a horse race many years ago, but couldn't have the prize because she was disqualified under the rules. Years later this nephew comes to her life and makes her revive aspects of her life she wanted to forget. (they are so similar)

It is a beautiful story of love and gratitude.

I watched it for the first time while I was 12, and hope my baby girl grows to see it.

The music is so beautiful, the sceneries are unforgettable as well.

DON'T MISS THIS MOVIE. IT'S A MASTERPIECE !!!

I think I was about 10 when I first saw this film. I loved every minute of it and always felt that the ending was a bit rushed, because if the subject matter is sappy, then the sappiness must go on so that it produces real thick syrup -- like Sarah Brown having a baby "a new Olympic gold-medallist hopeful" and so forth. Well, with that ending "twist" they would have needed to have someone older to play Tatum O'Neal's part in the end and obviously that was not to be.. anyway, just my 2cents.

But back to the review.. I think I've seen the film numerous times during the past 14 years or so and it's always good. I like the riding parts (great to spot famous Eventers) I've had the biggest crush on Christopher Plummer ever since I saw the Sound of Music (way before this) and I had an Anthony Hopkins period as well. So actor-wise this film is PERFECT! Oh, and I think the film shows the blood, sweat and tears what you need in order to be the best. Great film.

And yeah, Sarah Brown is not English or British, she's American whose come to live with her auntie and auntie's man in England.

I enjoy this movie for apparently all the wrong reasons: 1. I couldn't bear Elizabeth Taylor who over-acted in every movie she ever made. Nannette Newman is a much better actress, as well as being (in my opinion) better looking, like-wise Tatum O'Neil.

2. I always put on my video of it whenever the grand-kids come to visit. They love it and it keeps them quiet for a couple of hours, except in the middle where one of them, a horse-lover, can't watch the distressing scenes in the aircraft.

3. I hate watching show jumping. These sequences are far too long in the movie, but then I can fast-forward the tape when they appear.

4. Anglo-US relations can be fractious at times. Nice to see a movie where they're not. But it was pleasant to see the Brits "win" against the Yanks, even if it took a Yank to do it.

5. Except for (3) above, I actually think this is a better movie than the original "National Velvet" (a film I thought was highly overrated and was somewhat implausible, and in which Elizabeth Taylor, although still young at the time, was her usual hammy self).

Stick "International Velvet" in your library. If you've horse lovers in the family, it can, like "Black Beauty", come in handy at times.

This is a very tender story about love, patience and gratitude. Has excellent and beautiful music, the best scenes and great actors. IT IS A FILM EVERY FAMILY SHOULD SEE

I grew up with horses with cups won in Horse Shows and I held a Pilots License - I know how impossible it is to deal with a terrorized horse and, although this result seemed heartless,it was the only choice after tranquilizers did not work. I just tuned into this this morning by accident and thought the movie was a real winner with more of the Olympic competitions included than just "bites". The locations and integrity to the action in filming were excellent. I hope to see it again and tape it. We often see the Shows at Spruce Meadows in Calgary Alberta on TV and it is now a premier event in the world for Show Jumping. That facility is a wonderful site and very close to the cross-country hazard jumps shown in the movie. This is an outdoors world class arena and often held under less than perfect conditions - it is quite exciting to watch for me as I am no longer able to get as close to horses as much as I would wish.

In 'National Velvet' we witnessed 12-yr-old Elizabeth Taylor playing 14-yr-old Velvet Brown. She and her horse 'Pie' competed well in the Grand National but were disqualified on a technicality. Apparently her younger brother eventually made his home in the USA and had a 14-yr-old daughter Sarah who was orphaned when both her dad and mom died in an accident. As a result she was sent back to England where she was born, to live with her aunt who had a partner she was not married to, so she was still Velvet Brown. The movie begins with Sarah flying to England and meeting her aunt.

Tatum O'Neal who was 14 during filming plays Sarah Brown. At first she is very sullen, makes it clear that she doesn't want to be there, doesn't want to go to school, threatens to run away. But soon she softens a bit when the old horse 'Pie' fathers one more pony before being retired, Sarah takes a liking to the colt, and names it Arizona Pie. Soon she begins to make plans to try out for the British Equestrian Olympic team. (At 34 years between the two movies 'Pie' would be near 40 years old but I suspect we are to overlook that. Plus the 'Pie' in this movie looks totally different from the 'Pie' in the 1944 movie.)

Anyway Sarah's middle name is Velvet, thus the title since she hopes to compete internationally. The dates don't all quite work but I can easily overlook that in the interest of producing a plausible and interesting movie. Most of the last half-hour of the 2-hour movie is filmed like a TV telecast of the action at the Olympics, including glances of the Olympic village. And of course lots of realistic looking equestrian competition. They never really say what year it was supposed to be, but there are 'CCCP' sweatshirts in the crowd and a glimpse of a medal at the end shows 1980, the Summer Olympics held in Russia. Also a voice-over indicates that Velvet is now 40 years old, and during the Olympic competition Sarah is announced as an 18-year old and her horse, Arizona Pie, is 8 years old. It would take very 'fuzzy math' to reconcile all those numbers and ages.

But that is not a criticism, just an observation. We all know there is a healthy amount of 'creative license' in fictional movies. Overall I really enjoyed it, there is a connection of course to the 1944 movie but it is a quite different story. O'Neal is very good in the role.

I found it on DVD in a set of old horse themed movies at my public library. Good movie.

First' I own a copy of INTERNATIONAL VELVET and have seen the movie many times, almost as many as NATIONAL VELVET with Elizabeth Taylor. I happen to thoroughly enjoy both films. I guess "horse" movies have always held my interest and I'm sure this goes for many other film-goers. So this is a must-see for those who fit in this category. Maybe because it has an aura of 1970's studio standard issue box office hit, INTERNATIONAL VELVET will have a strong sentimental appeal for the viewer. I value this movie so much. The coming-of age story, the British component, the OLYMPIC GAMES ( well presented) the wonderful cast, the scenery&soundtrack all make for a unique experience. What can you say except you must get ahold of a copy and sit down and watch it. Special mention includes: Tatum O'Neal' Anthony Hopkins, Nanette Newman, the ARIZONA PIE and a plethora of beautiful horseflesh.