 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Black Beauty
- Review Date: September 6, 2005
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1994
Common Sense Media says
A harrowing and Beauty-ful version of the book.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this handsome adaptation of Anna Sewell's 1877 children's classic is emotionally harrowing, but ultimately heartwarming. Even the most stoic of kids will be moved. Because of the film's intense and sad scenes, parents are advised to use caution when allowing younger and more sensitive children to watch this film. Older children will love it for its action and a noble creature with which to empathize. Some teens may be a bit old for a horse story, but the movie is engaging, especially for teens interested in animal rights.
What's the story?
Black Beauty is a carefree colt, just beginning his training, when he is sold to the loving Gordon family. Here, Beauty meets a spirited young filly named Ginger and proves his heroism in a raging river. But good-natured stable boy Joe doesn't care for him properly and the horse becomes sick. Joe nurses Beauty back to health and later rescues him from a stable fire. Beauty and Ginger are sold and both horses (particularly Ginger) are abused by their new family. Scarred but still spry, Beauty eventually is bought by Jerry, a decent man who operates a livery cab. This life proves harder on Jerry than on his horse. Beauty is sold again, then nearly worked to death hauling grain. At last, he is rescued by Joe and put out to pasture to enjoy the last years of his life.
Is it any good?
Legions of youngsters cherish this 1877 children's classic, with its natural and man-made disasters, its sadistic villains, and noble heroes. This film does an excellent job of capturing the tone and spirit of Anna Sewell's book. In telling the story from the horse's point of view, it stays faithful to its source and keeps the dignified leading character front and center. The book was an early animal rights story, and the movie follows in the same vein.
An 8-year-old boy who watched the movie was wholly captivated. Beauty's many close calls kept him on the edge of his seat. He enjoyed delightful moments like the newborn foal struggling to stand and the raucous playfulness between Beauty and Ginger, tried to hold back the tears when young Joe had to give up Beauty, and cried when Ginger died. The movie packs a punch and parents should be ready for children's emotional reactions. Since it's told in flashback, children know from the movie's opening that Beauty will turn out okay, but his many trials along the way make a significant impression.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about animal rights and how each family member treats the animals they come into contact with. What is the message of this movie? Does it inspire you to think about animals differently?
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AGE
It is a very sad movie,but good at the same time. It upset me a little and I am 15. I had seen it before,but it had been a while. :(
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AGE
A Wonderful Movie
I was actually pleasantly surprised when I saw this movie. I thought Beauty's voice over really made the movie personal. It was heartwarming and ,at times, funny. My four year old enjoyed it, fortunately he was too young to understand about Ginger's death and the animal abuse. I have already recommened this movie to other family members. You won't regret seeing this film!
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AGE
This isn't exactly a review but-
The first scene shows Black Beauty's (ill just call him "BB") mother giving birth to BB. Older children may be OK with this, but this scene is sorta graphic and it grossed me and my brother out (I was 11 and he was 3-I think-_-) I know its a "miracle of life" but I know parents who didn't like their kids watching this scene.
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AGE
Awesomeness
You have to be old enough to under stand it and when you do you realize what a beautiful trhing it is.
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Kid, 11 years old
June 11, 2010
AGE
it was awsome i love horses
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AGE
This really upset my sensitive 7 year old. She cried several times, even when the movie ended "happily" - Ginger dying and the mistreatment of the horses really affected her. She wanted to give the movie away after seeing it.
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AGE
Think Twice
Decent movie. Although it really upset our seven (almost eight) year old boy quite a lot. If you have a sensitive child, I would think twice about showing this to them. The animal/emotional connection might be a little too intense.
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AGE
Beautiful but sad
I absolutely love animals including horses, but I just can't bring myself to rate it higher. I've always been a sensitive kid, but this movie was particularly devastating to me with animal abuse and Ginger's death... it's just too sad. As great as "Black Beauty" is, I would never watch it again or recommend it to a sensitive person.
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| Topics: | horses and farm animals |
| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Caroline Thompson |
| Cast: | Alan Cumming, David Thewlis, Sean Bean |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 97 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 22, 1994 |
| DVD release date: | June 4, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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