Caroline Thompson directed this fine adaptation of the popular Anna Sewall novel set in England about a horse with a white star on its forehead named Black Beauty, which in this film narrates its own story(sounds silly but it does work) from his birth as a carefree colt to the many different owners it had(some good, some bad) from Farmer Grey(played by Sean Bean) to young groom Joe Green(played by Andrew Knott) Cabbie Jerry Barker(played by David Thewlis) and a kindly squire(played by "Doctor Who" actor Peter Davison) Beauty's journey takes him from idyllic country life to London's cobblestone streets. Charming and moving film is fine viewing for the whole family.

I loved the movie! I'm a big horse lover. A very good movie for anyone that likes horses. It was a very nice story told from the horses point of view. The music and the scenery were both beautiful. This is a movie for all ages that captivates the young and the old. If this movie was made in Hollywood they would some how find a way to ruin it but instead was made in England. The English always seem to make nice movies like this without over doing it. The movie as one would expect does not have a lot of action sequences to it. Instead the movie relies on good story telling supported with excellent acting. The scenes with the English county side are beautiful. I would watch again and recommend it to all.

Of all the film incarnations of Anna Sewell's moving story, this one is most definitely the best. Told from the horse's perspective it is stunningly emotional and beautifully photographed. It has a warmly enchanting music score, great performances from an ensemble of mostly unfamiliar faces and by the animals as well. The directing is crisp and well-paced and the art direction and production values are topnotch. I should also mention Randy Edelman's perfect, fabulous and moving musical score. Best of all it is available on DVD at very reasonable prices. This is the perfect family film for kids, adults, seniors...everyone. It's sweet without being too sugary, very moving and it's one you'll watch often; a classic!

Yet another film-adaptation of Anna Sewell's popular 1877 children's book opens with a elderly horse looking back on his tumultuous life--narrating the story himself (with a British accent no less!). What might have been a twee gimmick turns out to be a surprisingly canny stroke of genius, as the screenplay, although prosy, is smart and direct and Alan Cumming's gentle voice-over is very sympathetic. Director Caroline Thompson is sensitive as well, getting terrific "performances" from all the horses involved; her film is a bit heavy on the sad farewells, yet it has lots of heart and works on its audience through pure emotion. Thin at 88 minutes, but beautifully photographed and with a tasteful score by Danny Elfman, fine acting by the humans. A must-see for horse-lovers, the movie is genuinely touching without being too manipulative. **1/2 from ****