49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still one of my Top Five Favorite movies!, June 27, 2003
I've never understood why this movie has been so largely ignored by viewers and critics since its release in 1978.
I saw "National Velvet" when I was young, and truthfully, I hated it. I was able to get my mother to take me to see "International Velvet" because of her love of Elizabeth Taylor (her peer) and the original. I loved this movie for many reasons, but it was wonderful to see Tatum O'Neal (a slightly-older peer of mine) in such a wonderful, heart-warming role.
Ms. O'Neal moved so gracefully in this movie from age 8 to 18 without question. She portrays Sarah Velvet Brown, niece of the "original" Velvet Brown - winner of the Grand National. At the beginning of the film, Sarah arrives in England to live with her Aunt Velvet and "Uncle" John after the car-accident deaths of her parents in their home town of Cave Creek, Arizona.
She soon develops a keen interest in horses, and raises Velvet's horse, "Pi"'s son, "Arizona Pi" to adulthood and eventually rides him to to the Olympics.
This is a true "coming-of-age" story with SUPERB cinematography (a stunningly-beautiful sea-side English locale), haunting score and stellar acting by a first-class cast, including two of my all-time favorite actors, Christopher Plummer and Sir Anthony Hopkins.
A year or so ago, I happened to catch the tail-end of a short featurette on this film, on the Independent Film Channel. It featured clips and details about how Tatum O'Neal learned to ride entirely for, and during the production of this movie. The race-footage clearly shows Tatum doing most, if not all, of the actual riding, even in the most difficult steeplechase sequences.
Even if you're not a horse-lover, you'll adore this movie.
NOW, LET'S GET IT RELEASED ON DVD!!!
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
International Velvet, July 27, 2000
I have watched this movie many many times and it is still a favorite. The first time I saw it in the theater my friend and I cried through almost the entire thing and I still do. It is heartwarming, entertaining and being a horse lover it meets all my requirements for a great movie. All four main characters are wonderfully cast. The scene where they retire "Pie" still gives me a lump in my throat it is so touching. The scenery is also beautiful. I highly recommend this movie to anyone.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Where's the DVD & soundtrack??, May 8, 2004
This is a superb movie that I still love & remember from childhood. It also has one of the most gorgeous & moving soundtracks of any film I can remember. So, where is the DVD edition and the soundtrack CD?? This film deserves a release in DVD format ... and a soundtrack on CD!
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