Exciting life of a horse named Black Beauty is here expanded to include the adventures of the humans who surround the horse . Set in 19th Century England , about the fates of horses, and the people who own and command them, are revealed as Black Beauty narrates the circle of his life and seen through its own carefree life . It deals with a horse's trials as it passes from an owner to owner , experiencing from benevolent guardianship to ignorant abuse . The unfortunate black stallion reminds his life through from his birth through his existence as a colt, and the many hardships , passing several owners both good and bad and suffering hardships after achieving maturity .Handsome take off of the Anna Sewell family novel but sometimes fails to capture qualities that make Sewell's book a classic . The animals in this film were in no way harmed or mistreated , and all scenes in which they appeared were under strict supervision with utmost concern for their handling . Narrated quite energetically by the horse itself with voice of Alan Cummins , as the story is told of the horse's life and through its profound and wizened eyes . The impressive scenery , photography and music enhance the story of ¨Black Beauty¨ and its adventures , sufferings and adversities . The tale is treated in good sense and high sensibility ; environment , horses , landscapes combine to enhance the glories of nature , one of which, after all, is silence . Good cast full of fine British actors as David Thewlis as Jerry Barker , Jim Carter as John Manly , Peter Davison as Squire Gordon , Alun Armstrong as Reuben Smith , John McEnery as Mr. York , Eleanor Bron as Lady Wexmire , the notorious Sean Bean , Peter Cook's last film and James Cosmo acting was cut out of this film . Colorful and glamorous cinematography by Alex Thompson. Sensitive as well as emotive musical score by Danny Elffman who married the screenwriter and filmmaker Caroline Thompson . The music all plays with the soul , it is so delicately composed, performed, and chosen for the movie that it is worth seeing just to enjoy the soundtrack . Other film based on this classic novel are the following : First silent version , 1921 , titled ¨Black Beauty ; first sound rendition of 1933 by Phil Rosen ; ¨Black Beauty¨ 1946 by Noel Nossek with Mona Freeman and Richard Denning ; ¨Courage of Black Beauty ¨ by Harold Schuster with Johnny Crawford ; ¨Black Beauty¨ 1971 by James Hill with Mark Lester , Walter Slezak, Maria Rohm and Peter Lee Lawrence and various TV movies and TV-series . This equine melodrama for grown-up adolescents and children will appeal to horses lovers ; resulting to be the best filmization of the classic story to date.

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.

I had read the reviews for this story of one of the most famous fictional horses in literacy, and this film adaptation is the only one so far that has a decent star rating (all others are two, this is three), from director Caroline Thompson (scriptwriter of Edward Scissorhands). Anyway, basically Black Beauty (voiced by Alan Cumming) tells his own stories of all his mini adventures, being given to many different masters, making many friends, doing many services for them, and ultimately his "circle of life" over many years. His mini adventures include being born, learning to stand and run, his name given, given hooves, being sold to new masters, a fire, falling in love, becoming sick, riding people, and much more. Starring Sean Bean as Farmer Grey, Dragonheart's David Thewlis as Jerry Barker, Jim Carter as John Manly, Peter Davison as Squire Gordon, Alun Armstrong as Reuben Smith, John McEnery as Mr. York, Eleanor Bron as Lady Wexmire and Peter Cook as Lord Wexmire. Kids, especially young girls, will adore this film, and there is some interest for the older viewers as well in this heartwarming drama. Worth watching!

Wow I cried at least 7 times during this movie! It's so sad!! The end is heartfelt though with Ginger and Marylegs. I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!! Many people might not like it. I don't know why. Maybe because it's true in many ways. There really are horrible people out there like in the movie. But even though this movie was sad, it was great. They should make a more modern version. I recommend this movie to everyone. You have to see it. But if you're weak and bad with sad movies then it's your decision, because I cried my heart out. This is certainly the saddest movie I have ever seen. Ifr you're not a big animal person, you might not think this movie is sad at all, or maybe you might. I don't know. But if you ARE a big animal person, then I think you will love this movie.