ThiefHott Too much of everything

Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

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.

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.

Jackson Booth-Millard I had read the reviews for this story of one of the most famous fictional horses in literacy, and this film adaptation is the only one so far that has a decent star rating (all others are two, this is three), from director Caroline Thompson (scriptwriter of Edward Scissorhands). Anyway, basically Black Beauty (voiced by Alan Cumming) tells his own stories of all his mini adventures, being given to many different masters, making many friends, doing many services for them, and ultimately his "circle of life" over many years. His mini adventures include being born, learning to stand and run, his name given, given hooves, being sold to new masters, a fire, falling in love, becoming sick, riding people, and much more. Starring Sean Bean as Farmer Grey, Dragonheart's 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 and Peter Cook as Lord Wexmire. Kids, especially young girls, will adore this film, and there is some interest for the older viewers as well in this heartwarming drama. Worth watching!

nelliebell-1 Though this is reviewed many years hence it is one of the time honored testaments of this media even some ten plus years having past,that this tribute was never the more beautiful then even now some ten years plus since then.This contribution comes at the expense of ones heart as you grow in the knowledge of the possibility of a dream.Reality provides the greatest test of ones courage under fire,though "Black Beauty" is billed as a child's film,this adult had a very hard time not caring a great deal about the wonderous even glorious relation we share with the animal kingdom and nature.The film seems to be beautifully constructed perhaps deliberately with many areas of the film working very well.It is a beautifully photographed film where these magnificent creatures are showcased and nature is highlighted.There is in the telling of this story a narrator whose ability to place intelligence in the very heart of these magnificent beasts is heart warming and engaging,truly this story skirts the issue of inspiration,it is that beautifully told.Historically soundtracks are there for a reason,this soundtrack almost steals the show,it is such a testament to the creative abilities of Daniel Elfman.It is literally a great piece of musical composition and motion picture scoring.If the reader wishes to know first hand listen closely from the very start and the human heart will be tested as to its ability to break.So loving and eloquent is this musical interlude that rarely is this mark been attained,it is beautiful.I watched this film 4 times in less than 24 hours and each time one of the reasons why I watched again and again was the lovely even emotional interplay between the film and the music.However last but not least though only for children it may very well be,it was very hard to take when the suffering ensues and the majestic Black Beauty and Ginger struggle to survive.Truly it is a lovely sentimental story deeply held and faithfully portrayed.The belief in a better world or in the dream of another world is even now a thoughtful and abiding conviction in the love we share when we share that love with each other.This is more than a children's story but a lessen in caring and it may actually surprise you to know that we must care for the wild as we have the privilege of dominion over the wild.We must never abuse that privilege and always care as a caretaker cares,such is the testament to this graceful telling of the life of Black Beauty.Highly recommended for both children and adults alike.