4/27/2008

Black Beauty (1994)

Good places
make good horses


I've seen several film versions of this classic Anna Sewell story but none has been more beautiful than this particular Warner Bros. production.

Black Beauty (voice by
Alan Cumming) recounts the story of his life including the time he spent with kindly owners like farmer Grey (Sean Bean), Squire Gordon (Peter Davison), and hansom cabbie Jerry Barker (David Thewlis); the neglect he endured at the hands of young stablehand Joe Green (Andrew Knott); and the brutalization suffered at the hands of Lady Wexmire (Eleanor Bron), stableman Reuben (Alun Armstrong); and the final kindness of young Joe Green, now grown up (Ian Kelsey) who remembered Beauty from long ago.

Beauty also reminisces about his dear friend, the chestnut mare Ginger, and the white pony Merrylegs.

The marvelous musical score by Danny Elfman thoroughly enhances the quality of this film. And the cinematography is amazing!

Directed by
Caroline Thompson.

Rated G.

My personal rating: A-

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