Gorgeously produced, impeccably mounted adaptation of Enid Bagnold's book about wholesome pre-World War II clan backing their horse-loving daughter when she decides to enter her horse in the Grand National Steeplechase competition. In the lead, young Elizabeth Taylor is immensely appealing, and she gets excellent support from Oscar-winner Anne Revere as her mother, though the film is overlong and just a bit heavy with sentimental treacle. It's also saddled with hammy Mickey Rooney, overdoing the gallant boy routine as Taylor's pal. Although never quite attaining the latter-day cult of, say, "The Wizard of Oz", "Velvet" is still very pretty to look at and has heartfelt and moving sequences. *** from ****
Review of National Velvet
