 | 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. |
National Velvet
- Review Date: May 7, 2003
- G
- Genre: Drama
- 1944
Common Sense Media says
Great family movie; even better for horse lovers.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that National Velvet, an appealing family film released in 1944 and set in 1920s England, presents two strong female role models, both of whom succeed in fields of sport that had not been previously open to their gender: long-distance swimming and British horse-jumping. It's a movie with strong messages about dreams, risk, determination, and honesty. The only mildly frightening moments come when the preteen heroine faints, when she falls from her horse, and when the horse is ill for a time. In one lengthy sequence set during the Grand National race, a number of horses and their riders fall (in wide shots), but almost all quickly get up; no injuries are seen or referenced. A young man confesses his responsibility for a riding accident years earlier in which someone was killed. The same young man is seen drinking beer with two cronies, and he gets very drunk.
What's the story?
When young Velvet Brown (Elizabeth Taylor) meets Mi Taylor (Mickey Rooney), the two immediately connect, bonding over their love of horses. He came to town because he found Velvet's mother's name in his late father's address book, but he has no idea what their relationship was. Velvet wins an uncontrollable horse in a lottery that she names Pi; she decides that Pi must be in the Grand National race and goes against the adults' wishes by riding him herself. She wins but is disqualified because she's a girl. Still, the family returns home in triumph, knowing that they won what was important to them. Appearance and endorsement offers follow, but Velvet knows that it's time to move on. So does Mi, who says good-bye to Mr. and Mrs. Brown. When Velvet hears that he's gone, she asks if she can tell him about his father, who helped Mrs. Brown achieve an important dream. Mrs. Brown consents, and Velvet races after Mi, catching up to him just as the movie ends.
Is it any good?
National Velvet is the story of dreams themselves, wise and foolish, big and small, realized and impossible, and about the way all of these dreams change those who are lucky enough to dream them. But it also deals with what happens after the dream comes true.
The film also conveys the importance of faith -- Velvet's faith in herself, Pi, and her dream; and her family's faith in her and in Mi -- and the importance of that belief and support in making the dream come true. But most of all, National Velvet is the story of a loving family, making it a wonderful starting point for a discussion of the ways that families of all kinds can teach and support each other.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why Velvet can't keep the prize, even though she won. What kinds of stereotypes about women were popular in the film's era? What kinds of stereotypes about women remain?
Why didn't Velvet want to make movies or do any of the other things people asked her to do after she won? What are the benefits and drawbacks of being a celebrity?
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AGE
sweet horse movie!
Wonderful horse movie-will keep even little kids interested in the beauty of it while older children will be able to understand it & parents won't be bored! :) Great acting, great story!
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AGE
Great movie! Had positive role models and CLEAN!!
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AGE
Terrific movie for everyone
I loved this movie. As a horse owner, rider, shower, etc. I always enjoy critisizing equine-themed movies, but this one was correct in just about everything. A classic, Velvet Brown falls for the stallion, named "Pirate", or as she calls him, "The Pie". I read the book, and they change many of the details, but the basic story is the same. I give the movie 2 thumbs up :)
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AGE
A good movie for the whole family
This movie is a delight to both adults and kids, alike, especially if you like horses. It tells of the realization of dreams and the cost of achieving them. Velvet, a horse crazy girl, longs for a horse and falls for a questionable gelding. She meets Mi Taylor, who is looking for information about his dead father. The story tells of the work it takes to make a dream come true.
Velvet has the support of her mother and the rest of the family. Mi starts out as a scroundrel but responds to the trust Mrs. Brown puts in him. National Velvet is a great movie to be seen over and over.
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AGE
It
It Was A Very Good Movie I Really Liked It Its Very Good For Kids Of Any Age.
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| Topics: | sports and martial arts, book characters, friendship, horses and farm animals |
| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Clarence Brown |
| Cast: | Donald Crisp, Elizabeth Taylor, Mickey Rooney |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 123 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 14, 1944 |
| DVD release date: | July 11, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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