Black Beauty | Sean Bean, David Thewlis | The Beauty of Black Beauty

Black Beauty | Sean Bean, David Thewlis | Beautiful, Moving, Emotional

DVDs:

Black Beauty

	Black Beauty Sean Bean, David Thewlis Warner Home Video, 1999 average customer review:based on 83 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A wondrous new version of Anna Sewell's classic about a remarkable horse and the various owners whose lives he transforms. "The most imaginative and stirring picture since The black Stallion" (Washington Times) Year: 1994 Director: Caroline Thompson Starring: Sean Bean, David Thewlis, Jim Carter

The Beauty of Black Beauty

In this work, screen writer and director Carolyne Thompson and composer Danny Elfman, collaborators in such works as Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas, and others reunite to create their version of Anna Sewell's classic novel Black Beauty. Set in the English countryside in the late 1800s, the story is an autobiography of a horse narrated by that horse that speaks of the life and treatment of the equine in Victorian times. Miss Sewell wrote the work to raise consciousness about the ill treatment she witnessed. Despite moderate deviations from Sewell's text, Director Thompson captures its essence. This is a moving narrative about the innocence, trust, loyalty, betrayal and hope a horse experiences when he is at the behest of owners he has had no choice in selecting. Thompson, Elfman, the trainers and all the co-directors and associates are the real winners in this production as they collectively choreograph the beauty, freedom, frolic, banter, tragedy, cruelty and hope the non-human characters enjoy or endure. Commendable performances are given by Andrew Knott who plays the younger Joe Green, one of Beauty's grooms from his youth, and the good natured cabby Jerry Barker played by David Thewlis who purchases the horse and brings him out of his natural country setting into the cold hard streets of London. The contrast between the good and not-so-good owners Beauty had in the country and the cold entrepreneurial ownership of London is stark; it is marked well when he discovers there a former stable companion, a mare named Ginger whose friendship he greatly cherishes. Along with the cheerfully buoyant white pony Merrylegs, they had spent much time together in their former country dwellings before each was sold to different owners. Tragically, Ginger, by now broken through abusive treatment and overwork, looses her life. Commendable performances continue as Beauty's fortunes turn. He is sold again, this time to a hard driving dealer who forces the horse to pull carts laden with heavy sacks of grain. This treacherous labor eventually takes its toll as Beauty suffers a breakdown. Like Ginger, this once gallant colt full of life and spirit is reduced to a broken shadow bent over as he is once again taken to fair to be sold. It is here that the groom of his youth, the older Joe Green, discovers him and takes him back to the golden pastures of his birth. Joe promises he will never be sold again. In the final pastoral setting, one year later, Beauty, after regaining his strength and spirit, rests upon a grassy mound beneath a tree and finishes his narrative, happy in the certainty that he will never be separated from his friends again.

For the horses alone, in particular the Quarter Horse `Docs Keepin Time' that performed the role of Black Beauty, this is a film well worth viewing in conjunction with reading or rereading Sewell's classic. Add to that the hauntingly beautiful score Danny Elfman provides and you have a marvel. The score hints at the co-existence of an inner-sadness and an inner-joy that Beauty wearily accepts as required.

Happy viewing (and keep a towel at hand).

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Beautiful, Moving, Emotional

I remember reading the story of Black Beauty as a child. I was about 10 when I first began reading the sweet words describing his birth, and the sadness that was evoked when describing the passing of his friend "Ginger". I cried as a child, and equally so, wept as an adult. Movies of this quality are rare and don't come along too often. With that being said, it was an absolute joy to sit and be immersed within the story, landscape and emotion of this film. I had the good fortune of viewing it on Animal Planet this past week, and do intend on purchasing it. I know that it will make a wonderful addition to my growing Equine Film collection. For those who have not had the good fortune of seeing this movie, please do so. I am sure that you will come to love horses as much as I do. They truly are the most magnificent of creatures, and make the most beautiful centerpiece for a story of this scale and beauty.

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FOR HORSE LOVERS ONLY !!!

THIS IS A SENTIMENTAL TALE THROUGH THE EYES AND VOICE OF A HORSE THAT HAS GOOD MOMENTS ANS BAD TIMES !!! NOT A CHILDS MOVIE !!! YOU WILL CRY AT TIMES AND SMILE AT TIMES !!!

Black Beauty

I got this and 3 other movies particularly for my "grand" niece so that she would be exposed to the great film classics of yesteryear. The movie made a powerful impression on her. She loved every one of them. I rate this movie 4 stars!

Black Beauty

Beautiful movie. Very touching. I read the book before, and the movie is very loyal to it. Buy it ,you won't regret :)

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