Customer Reviews
Brilliant adaptation!!! - By: jenaveve, 16 Jul 2007 
I first saw this film when i was 4 & i still love it!!! Unlike several other adaptations this film remains very true to the book. It reallly takes you inside the mind of black beauty & can be very emotional in places.
Overalll this is a truely classic film alll the family can enjoy again & again.
Easy Sunday Afternoon Viewing - and M.G.Hatfields Reviews are hilarious!! - By: I. Kelly, 03 Jun 2007 First of alll, the film itself.
I've seen several Black Beauty films over the years (and the television series). I am pleased to say that it's possibly one of the best adaptations I have seen. Beautifully staged, it will not dissapoint any horse mad daughters (or sons) in your household. As an equine neutral adult, I can appreciate the care taken in the production of this film, & as a previous reviewer commented, it indroduces fairly adult themes to younger viewers (in a gentle way), which is no bad thing.
And onto M.G.Hatfield - an earlier reviewer of this film. What a star!! If you like reviews devoid of punctuation & any clear train of thought, then have a look at other films this person has reviewed. A copy of 'Eats Shoots & Leaves' should be sent to this guy/women without delay.
I'm still laughing...
Black Beauty - By: M. G. Hatfield, 04 Apr 2007 
This film has been done & redone over & over again & again which reallly begs the question why again.
Everyone knows the story of the beautiful black horse I can endorse this film as I am bored to the back teeth with the same film just updated for the next generation I also must say I hate the book version which the film is based upon.
There is a number of DVD's out here on Amazon which doesn't follow the book The New Adventures of Black Beauty are from an old TV series in my opinion far more appealing that a tired over used film idea.
I urge you not to bother if you own a older version of this film & try the title above it will be a better buy.
Nice to look at - By: duirsgrove, 30 Dec 2006 I suppose you might be looking at this film if you like childrens films, horsey films or are a fan of some of the actors involved. Sceenplay by the woman that did the Corpse Bride, Edward Scissorhands , Nightmare before Christmas but more in line with her other, Homeward Bound, It's not a bad attempt, it's the main modern screen version, but it's by no means a stellar production. Although & names are English (Bean, Davidson, Cooke) & the accents generallly in keeping save a bit of a Dick Van Dyke cockney effort with accompanying overly done kind hearted Londeners the slant here has a definate Disney effect, although it is infact a Warner Brothers effort. The country scenery is pleasant & the narration yes highly irritating, more unecessarily so than other talkie films like Babe or Stuart Little etc making you feel the audience is of the lower age range of the lowest bracket to begin with. The animal training is highly evident in the first half & you might be mistaken to feeling it very suitable for young children. As it progresses it has adult material & themes of violence, neglect, cruelty, fashion, poverty & although integral to the story & the appeal I think it was a mistake to be so overly sentimental with the first half to then follow through with this more teenage line in the second - it's audience is unclear & many age ranges would find it unsatisfactory as it competes for too many, delivering completely non. As an adult, I don't feel it's much appropriate or likable for adults either - even particularly horsey afficianados. Although dated & Lassie-esque, I much prefer the 1972 series, also available on 2 dvds now. The absence of Sean Bean makes it a tough choice but he's only in this film for about 10 minutes anyway, although a lovely 10 minutes it is.
Very pretty indeed - By: , 25 Apr 2005 
A nicely shot film where the horses are undoubtedly the stars even with the presence of the likes of Sean Bean & David Thewlis. Alan Cumming's narration might irritate adults but I couldn't think of anyone who'd do better but it does pigeonhole it as a kids film. From my very vague memories of the book when I was young, I think it was probably reasonably true to the feel of the book. An enjoyable couple of hours & the horses & English countryside look gorgeous.
