Black Beauty (1994)
2026-257 / MLZ MAP: 64.86 / Zedd MAP: 34.71 / Score Gap: 30.15
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Country of Origin: United States / United Kingdom
IMDb Summary: The fates of horses, and the people who own and command them, are revealed as Black Beauty narrates the circle of his life.
Starring Docs Keepin Time, Andrew Knott, Sean Bean, David Thewlis and Alan Cumming.
The film originated from a novel, written by Anna Sewell in 1877. Anna was a single lady throughout her life, but around 1845 her family had a bit of land and they were able to obtain a horse, which she either rode or drove in a pony-chaise. During this time, her mother said, "[B]etween her and her own horse, and horses in general, a mutual confidence and friendship sprang up, and she learned all their secrets.”
Anna wanted to share some of the experiences she had while working with her own horse, and seeing cruelty towards horses and neglect of their care, far too often. Anna suffered an illness and was confined to bed. She said, "I have for six years been confined to the house and to my sofa, and have from time to time, as I was able, been writing what I think will turn out a little book, its special aim being to induce kindness, sympathy, and an understanding treatment of horses.”
The book has been made into a lot of films and television shows, plus theatre productions and a Disney LP adaptation, beginning in 1917, and continuing all the way through 2020.
The theme is clearly important, horses have been our constant companions for so long it’s hard to imagine life without them, even if it’s significantly lesser than it used to be. Horses are now reserved for the very wealthy or farming families.
The movie was really just a lot of narrated heartbreak. I am pretty sure I mixed this film with The Black Stallion or perhaps National Velvet, which I would guess might have provided more entertainment and less pain. I may have even seen a different version of this film, but as many other mid-90’s films are wont to be, this film was over-orchestrated and narrated, and any time there was a moment of silence between the two, it was nearly deafening.
Zedd liked it significantly less than I did, but this is a man who spent many years managing a small farm. His time on and with horses dramatically eclipses mine, and I think that influenced his feelings on the film. He is a soft touch for animals, and a film full of tragedy about them is not his thing.
Me, I focused on the early time watching the mare and her foal, the beautiful filming locations, and steadied myself through the rest.
It was not quite the film I thought I was getting, as much as it was not the life that our Black Beauty wished he’d experienced. As he says in the film, “We don't get to choose the people in our lives. For us, it's all chance.”
I think I will try and pick up one of the other equestrian films mentioned above, as I sure do enjoy watching films with horses.
It’ll be another good occasion to Movie On, anyway!