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      National Velvet

      G Released Jan 26, 1945 2 hr. 5 min. Drama List
      98% 61 Reviews Tomatometer 78% 5,000+ Ratings Audience Score When Velvet Brown (Elizabeth Taylor), an equine-loving 12-year-old living in rural Sussex, becomes the owner of a rambunctious horse, she decides to train it for England's Grand National race. Aided by former jockey Mi Taylor (Mickey Rooney) and encouraged by her family, the determined Velvet gets her steed, affectionately called "The Pie," ready for the big day. However, a last-minute problem arises with the jockey and an unexpected rider must step in as a replacement. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered May 07 Buy Now

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      National Velvet

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      Critics Consensus

      National Velvet makes the most of a breakout performance from Elizabeth Taylor, delivering a timeless family-friendly tearjerker that avoids straying into the sentimental.

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      Audience Reviews

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      Michael S Classic movie with cuteness from a young Elizabeth Taylor. A story of moral character mixed with the wonderment of little kid's dreams coming true. I love this movie, a must see. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/16/23 Full Review Stephen C LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review lanfranco c After so many years it is always a pleasure to watch it! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member An absolute treasure, and the recently restored blu-ray just looks amazing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member National Velvet is a pleasant film for horse lovers, sports lovers, and fans of Mickey Rooney and Elizabeth Taylor. The film has a wonderful musical score that is emotional and pleasant for audiences. National Velvet is a tearjerker that everyone can enjoy. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review William L Fits very neatly into the "teenage girl with a horse" movie archetype, which some will love and others will find incredibly predictable. It's colorful and full of sentiment and good feelings, virtually no character has a shred of any vice in them apart from an exceptionally traditional sense of Christian home authority and financial practicality. Basically a Capra knockoff but with horses, where the idealistic kid ends up coming out on top after some sort of minor opposition with external forces, perservering through pluck, care, and dedication. Helped along by both Rooney and a young Taylor, if you're looking for a simple and wholesome classic YA storyline, you should be satisfied, but not surprised. (2.5/5) Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 12/27/20 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

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      Nelson B. Bell Washington Post If it preaches any lesson in rectitude and the comfort and dignity of character, it does so with friendly warmth and agreeable humor in terms of delightful diversion. All ages of both genders will find it pulsating with palatable pastiming. Mar 26, 2024 Full Review Mildred Martin Philadelphia Inquirer It leaps to thrilling action with the race itself, the most pictorially colorful, heart-stoppingly exciting event of the sort ever staged for the motion picture cameras. Mar 26, 2024 Full Review Kate Cameron New York Daily News The picture is a delightful adaptation in Technicolor of Enid Bagnold's novel. Mar 26, 2024 Full Review P.S. Harrison Harrison's Reports A heart-warming human interest drama, superbly produces in Technicolor... the sort of picture that will appeal to all types of audiences. Mar 26, 2024 Full Review William R. Weaver Motion Picture Herald (Exhibitors Herald) Every sequence in the picture will be loved by all observers who are not at loggerheads with mankind. Mar 26, 2024 Full Review Hortense Morton (Screen Scout) San Francisco Examiner The plot of the film is strong, but it's the ordinary every day living touches that enrich it... the warm relationships between members of the family... the light comedy touches and deeper emotional moments. Mar 26, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis When Velvet Brown (Elizabeth Taylor), an equine-loving 12-year-old living in rural Sussex, becomes the owner of a rambunctious horse, she decides to train it for England's Grand National race. Aided by former jockey Mi Taylor (Mickey Rooney) and encouraged by her family, the determined Velvet gets her steed, affectionately called "The Pie," ready for the big day. However, a last-minute problem arises with the jockey and an unexpected rider must step in as a replacement.
      Director
      Clarence Brown
      Distributor
      Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
      Production Co
      Metro Goldwyn Mayer
      Rating
      G
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jan 26, 1945, Wide
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Mar 15, 2008
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