Product Details

• Actors: Tatum O'Neal, Christopher Plummer, Sean Bean, David Thewlis, Mickey Rooney
• Directors: Bryan Forbes, Caroline Thompson, Clarence Brown, David Butler
• Writers: Bryan Forbes, Caroline Thompson, Anna Sewell, Enid Bagnold
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• DVD Release Date: November 6, 2007
• Run Time: 439 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000U1ZV58
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,820 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #28 in Movies & TV > DVD > Sports
• For more information about "Four Film Favorites: Classic Horse Films (Black Beauty / The Story of Seabiscuit / National Velvet / International Velvet)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Black Beauty
A wondrous new version of Anna Sewell's classic about a remarkable horse and the various owners whose lives he transforms. "The most imaginative and stirring picture since The black Stallion" (Washington Times) Year: 1994 Director: Caroline Thompson Starring: Sean Bean, David Thewlis, Jim Carter

The Story of Seabiscuit
A woman falls for a jockey, but she will only marry him if he gives up horse racing.

National Velvet
Enchantingly beautiful Elizabeth Taylor became a movie star at age twelve after starring in this classic about a girl and her jockey pal (Mickey Rooney) who transform an unruly horse into a champion.

International Velvet
A charming sequel to the hit National Valvet follows our young heroine and her trusty steed overseas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Bought this for one movie, July 6, 2009

By 

Cremekat "An alien of some sort will be appea... (Idaho) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Four Film Favorites: Classic Horse Films (Black Beauty / The Story of Seabiscuit / National Velvet / International Velvet) (DVD)

I bought this DVD for only one movie on the DVD. I have been looking for "International Velvet" on DVD for years and haven't been able to find it as I have the first "Velvet" movie and wanted the second. This was the only way to get it. I actually watched all four movies in succession and loved every one of them. It's good family fun with a bit of suspense thrown in. I actually enjoyed the whole thing, and though I usually like to buy my movies separately I enjoyed this group of movies immensely.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fabulous Foursome, February 16, 2009

By 

Nancy Sherburne (Tucson, Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Four Film Favorites: Classic Horse Films (Black Beauty / The Story of Seabiscuit / National Velvet / International Velvet) (DVD)

My sister had given me Black Beauty on VHS and I must have watched that half a dozen times. It begins with Black Beauty in his final home, then shifts back to his birth and gentling. It was cute to see how oats helped him deal with the bit and girth. It does take place in England, as opposed to the NBC mini-series that took place in Maryland. In Black Beuaty, there is a voice for him, but not for the other horses. When he is sold to Squire Gordon he meets Ginger and Merrylegs, and is paired with Ginger to drive the carriage. When the squire's wife takes ill, Beauty and Ginger are sold, and so begins the many owners he has to deal with until in the end the grown-up Joe Green (the young lad who nearly killed him) gives him his last home. The Story of Seabiscuit stars Barry Fitzgerald, whom I take to be a real Irishman and Shirley Temple, who is not Irish. The subject is a small-sized, non-inspiring colt named Seabiscuit who catches Uncle Shawn's eye and, over initial objections, convinces his boss to keep him and let him train him for the racetrack. After a very unpromising start, the colt begins to win, and win, and win, and, in a match race against Sir Barton, shows the bigger horse his heels. A rags-to-riches story that ended with Shawn having the last laugh on the two who had written the little fellow off. National Velvet has been around for so long if you haven't seen it, you just don't watch horse movies. I loved the pairing of Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney, and the exciting running of the Grand National. International Velvet was such a superb sequel in my opinion I was put out by the lack of recognition it received. Christopher Plummer, Sherlock Holmes in Murder by Decree, was so good as "Uncle" John, and poor Velvet was at a loss in dealing with the rebelious Sharah until they discovered her love for horses. That scene where Velvet asks Sarah to go fetch the Pie, only to have Sarah realize that it is not the Pie, but her foal, and to have the two running toward each other, is beautiful. To watch an awkward young Sarah become an accomplished rider, under the guidance of Captain Johnson, played by the dashing Anthony Hopkins, and represent her country (she was born in England) in the Olympics was fascinating. To think the actress was able to learn to ride as she did over those jumps was quite an achievement. The ending, when Sarah makes her way over the mud to where Velvet and John were waiting, and introduce them to her fiancee Scott as "my parents," just made my heart soar.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Three Classics And One Longshot On The Board, February 23, 2008

By 

Bicycle Day - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Four Film Favorites: Classic Horse Films (Black Beauty / The Story of Seabiscuit / National Velvet / International Velvet) (DVD)

With three classic releases that would appear on any tote board, it would be easy to call International Velvet a longshot which can be dismissed. But like Seabiscuit, getting past a quick initial glance will find a racer with the will of champion.

Released in 1978, director Bryan Forbes tackles the sequel to National Velvet with a keen eye on a compelling script. Nanette Newman (a grown-up Velvet)and Tatum O'Neal (her niece) are wonderful in their roles, with the storyline centering on the niece striving to become an Olympic-caliber rider.

Sir Anthony Hopkins portrays a veteran trainer who has seen many riders boast about such goals, but end up falling away when the going gets difficult. He has a special eye for talent, though, and there just may be unique potential with this young rider.

These are four movies which families can enjoy together, but the life lessons can be appreciated by adults, as much as children.