Product Details

• Actors: Sean Bean, David Thewlis, Jim Carter, Peter Davison, Alun Armstrong
• Format: Full Screen, NTSC, Color, Dolby
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
• DVD Release Date: April 26, 2005
• Run Time: 88 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (101 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0006IGWJ4
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #354,467 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

The Big World of DVD Just Got Smaller! Introducing the new, evolutionary personal Mini-DVD player from CyberHome; the CH-MDP 2500 uses a 3-inch Mini-DVD disc that will enable you to enjoy DVD on the go with unprecedented portability and ease of use. Weighing only twelve ounces, it’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, a backpack or in your pocket! In addition, the Mini-DVD discs are compatible in standard tray-loading DVD players! And there’s more – it also comes with a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery pack for up to 3 hrs of running time and a charging cradle so you’ll never have to buy batteries! Great for long trips or quiet time, the CyberHome CH-MDP 2500 is a personal, portable, and easy to use Mini-DVD player wherever you or your family goes. Anna Sewell’s novel Black Beauty has been one of the world’s most beloved animal stories since its 1877 publication. The story is told by its hero, a remarkable black horse with a white "star" on his forehead, whose joyous and heartbreaking life takes him from idyllic country life to London’s cobblestoned streets. Written and directed by Caroline Thompson (1993’s The Secret Garden), this is the most faithful of the book’s several ?lmings. You’ll cherish rebellious ?lly Ginger, mischievous pony Merrylegs and gallant Beauty, whose generous heart guides him under caretakers both kindly and harsh, from Farmer Grey (Sean Bean) and young groom Joe Green (Andrew Knott) to sweet-natured cabbie Jerry Barker (David Thewlis).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful to look at, true to the novel,, March 3, 2006

By 

Jessica E. Bowen (Marlborough, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Beauty (DVD)

Unlike other adaptations of Anna Sewall's classic, this film version respects the intentions and the words of the book. We read the novel aloud with my 6 year old daughter and got this DVD as a treat for her to watch. We were not dissapointed. For one thing, Black Beauty himself narrates the film in a voice over (there's no corny talking animals), just as the novel is written in the first person from the p.o.v. of the horse. The film also does a nice job of retaining the message of the novel about treating animals fairly.

As others have mentioned, the score is lovely and the cinematography is beautiful. There are lots of little animals to see and pretty landscapes, etc.

Highly recomended, a very nice family film.

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the most faithful Black Beauty movies, December 28, 2004

By 

Staci L. Wilson "Author: Animal Movies Guide ... (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Beauty (DVD)

Considered to be the truest filmed version of Anna Sewell's timeless book,1994's Black Beauty follows the unstable life of an intelligent ebony stallion (played by Doc's Keepin Time) in Victorian England. As he does in the novel, Beauty narrates the tale (he's voiced by Alan Cumming) from his idyllic birth, through the tragic events that led to him having to be sold, and how his happiness was completely at the mercy of those who held his reins. Masters both kind and cruel shape the horse's rather Dickensian life, as do his closest equine companions: A mare called Duchess and a self-willed pony named Merrylegs. Very nicely filmed and well-acted.

Staci Layne Wilson

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid In Every Way, November 28, 2004

By 

M. Packo (Stratford, CT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black Beauty (DVD)

A simply perfect story told with exquisite compassion
and artistry.

This version of BLACK BEAUTY should be considered the
unsurpassable classic of its genre - as well as one of the
truly memorable films of the '90s - if only for these few
reasons:
Danny Elfman's soulful score.
Alex Thomson's gorgeous cinematography.
A perfectly balanced ensemble of actors, all of whom
add great heart to the story.
All-around production design of wonderful taste and period
versimilitude.

Most of all, director Caroline Thompson's obvious love
and dedication. She has made of this simple story of the
life of a horse a movie that puts to shame all but a slim
few involving people about whom we are expected to care
and empathize with.

This interpretation of Black Beauty is touching and...beautiful.