I'm not one for kid's films, but I do like my novel adaptations and particularly when they're of classic Victorian literature. BLACK BEAUTY is one such beast, an all-star-cast adaptation of the Anna Sewell novel. I haven't read the book but this wide-ranging and wide-reaching film seems to have the right touch of authenticity to it.
It's a heartfelt and moving story in which the horses of the era are mistreated and put upon by their human owners, although there's still time for a few joyous moments here and there. Elsewhere it's as downbeat and depressing as many a Catherine Cookson adaptation, although the presence of numerous familiar faces (like Sean Bean, David Thewlis, Peter Cook, Peter Davison, Jim Carter, Alun Armstrong and John McEnery) keep it more than watchable.
The film is well shot and the acting honours obviously go to the various horses who do commendable jobs. My only problem really is the Hollywood-ised decision to give the horse a twee and childish voice-over from actor Alan Cumming. As ever, this is entirely unnecessary and slightly mars what could have been a near-classic.
It's a heartfelt and moving story in which the horses of the era are mistreated and put upon by their human owners, although there's still time for a few joyous moments here and there. Elsewhere it's as downbeat and depressing as many a Catherine Cookson adaptation, although the presence of numerous familiar faces (like Sean Bean, David Thewlis, Peter Cook, Peter Davison, Jim Carter, Alun Armstrong and John McEnery) keep it more than watchable.
The film is well shot and the acting honours obviously go to the various horses who do commendable jobs. My only problem really is the Hollywood-ised decision to give the horse a twee and childish voice-over from actor Alan Cumming. As ever, this is entirely unnecessary and slightly mars what could have been a near-classic.