Black Beauty

G

Released Jul 29, 1994

1 hr. 25 min.

Kids & Family

Adventure

Drama

Romance

List

74%

19 Reviews

Tomatometer

76%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Like the Anna Sewell novel that inspired it, this film adaptation is told from the perspective of a majestic stallion named Black Beauty (Alan Cumming). As a colt, Black Beauty has a relaxed life in the English countryside, owned by the kindly farmer Grey (Sean Bean). However, later in life, he is forced to work as a taxi horse in London. As an aged horse, Black Beauty finds himself in the care of loving owners again, but only after a series of thrilling hardships and triumphs.

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Amy V

this movie makes me cry from beauty never being able to see his friends again and him reinighing with joe. it makes me cry everytime how can anyone be so cruel

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/07/23

Full Review

Elizabeth G

I first saw this film as a child with my father and I was absolutely mesmerized although I remember sobbing during certain scenes. It was one of the pivotal movies that shaped me into the person I am today and it's also very special as it reminds me of my now deceased father. Gorgeous scenery and a beautiful soundtrack as well as a tried and true plot, this film needs more credit than it gets and is in my opinion highly under rated. 10/10 I'm also not sure why some say it's not kid friendly I saw it at 4 years old and I wasn't scarred for life from some of the sensitive scenes.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/27/22

Full Review

Andrew A

The horses are nice to look at but the story is just too weak and childish to me. Your kids might like it but adults will likely be pretty bored.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/17/21

Full Review

Audience Member

Featuring humor, action & enough heart to entertain all ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Best horse movie ever!! Not only do they follow true horsemanship but it is wonderfully well written with emotional scenes through the whole movie! A great depiction of a horses life through multiple owners.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/27/20

Full Review

steve d

Nothing new brought to the story.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Caroline Thompson

Director

Sean Bean

Farmer Grey

David Thewlis

Jerry Barker

Jim Carter

John Manly

Peter Davison

Squire Gordon

Alun Armstrong

Reuben Smith

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Jonathan Romney

Guardian

There's so much joyous frisking that it looks like an extended ad for Lloyds Bank.

Mar 2, 2024

Full Review

Geoff Brown

Times (UK)

This is a gloomy film, briefly enlivened by salty acting, but difficult to warm to, unless you are a horse.

Mar 1, 2024

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Although already filmed three times in the sound era, Black Beauty has never been put onscreen faithfully or well, a situation partially remedied by this affecting, rather grave rendition of the children's perennial.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Philip French

Observer (UK)

It's not exactly on a par with Bresson's Au Hasard Balthazar, but it will have the kids in tears.

Mar 1, 2024

Full Review

Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

The film's episodic nature may work against sustained involvement, but it shows us Black Beauty's nomadic existence.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 1, 2022

Full Review

Randy White

Common Sense Media

A harrowing and Beauty-ful version of the book.

Rated: 5/5

Jan 2, 2011

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Like the Anna Sewell novel that inspired it, this film adaptation is told from the perspective of a majestic stallion named Black Beauty (Alan Cumming). As a colt, Black Beauty has a relaxed life in the English countryside, owned by the kindly farmer Grey (Sean Bean). However, later in life, he is forced to work as a taxi horse in London. As an aged horse, Black Beauty finds himself in the care of loving owners again, but only after a series of thrilling hardships and triumphs.

Director: Caroline Thompson
Screenwriter: Caroline Thompson
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure, Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 29, 1994, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.2M
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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