Reviews (39)

A movie to be enjoyed by all.
I've been watching Black Beauty since it came out in 1994 when I was 9. The enchanting cinematography, thoughtful narration and beautiful horses stick in your mind long after the movies is finished. I've worn the tape out and recently bought it on DVD. I watched it immediately with friends who made fun of me. 19 and in love with a horsey movie?? Luckily I forced them to watch it and they were soon engrossed in the fabulous story. I have never read the book, but anyone who dislikes this movie because it isn't "true" to the novel is a sad person indeed. This is a great movie that can be enjoyed by horse lovers or even people who aren't that fond of horses. A good movie is a good movie, and Black Beauty will remain a timeless classic.

Beautiful movie for horse-lovers!
Black Beauty was one of the best movies I've ever seen! Docs Keepin Time was an excellent "actor". There was inhumane treatment of the animals and Ginger was so tragic. The horses had no say in anything and were abused yet they tried to please their masters. With kind masters they flourished and the ending was beautiful. The music was evocative and everything it this movie made me cry. (It was also an excellent book.)

The Best Movie Of All Time
Just like the first reviewer I have been watching this movie since I was 9 years old back in 1994. I am nighteen now and haven't seen the movie for a while but still remember it dearly as it was my most favorite movie on my shelf as a child and teen. I still have it even though it's worn quite a bit but I will show it to my kids. The movie always brings me to tears. I quote the first reviewer, "A good movie is a good movie, and Black Beauty will remain a timeless classic."

A bit boring. 15th april 2004.
Kids would probably enjoy it. It was quite good the first time i watched it then i thought it was a kiddy film, but anyone would normally like these sorts of films. Not me it isn't my type.

I'm sure kids will love it but adults be prepared
I love horses and will watch almost any movie with them in it. But because I work with them I am also sensitive to their correct portrayals in film.

Although lovingly filmed, with very pretty scenery, nice settings and good actors, this movie was disappointing. It was not its faithfulness to the book I call into question - a good movie adaptation will always have changes - but the style in which they were done.
Alan Cummings as the voice of Black Beauty was given an overly saccharine script in my opinion. Instead of giving the animal a realistic viewpoint, it was a whiny and naive portrayal. In a bizarre twist, Ginger was portrayed as Beauty's love interest, which I found completely incomprehensible, since Black Beauty is a) a gelding and b) it detracts from the true meaning of the story, which was that Ginger, a close companion during the best days of their youth together, was squandered and brought low by mens' cruelty.
I also found it jarring that none of the other horses were given voices of their own, especially the likes of Ginger and Merrylegs. They are portrayed interacting together at several points, yet while Black Beauty "speaks" during those times, he never refers to them speaking to him, nor do they ever speak directly in the film. It makes for an odd sense of dislocation, as you watch two horses acting out a scene together while the voice of one is reiterating the present happenings - without giving the other a viewpoint.

Despite the fact that it is Black Beauty's story, this film also succumbs to giving him a human character with whom he forms a "deep" relationship. I find it irritating that most movies whose main characters are supposed to be animals usually resort to enlarging or inventing a human character for them to have a special relationship with - presumably to give the story significance, or substance, to the audience. If the story is being told correctly, the audience should identify with the main character directly, not only through a human relationship.

Lastly, while some scenes were well done - notably Black Beauty's first experience with shoes - most of the horse scenes looked fake. Few and far between are the movies that portray horses in realistic ways. This is not one of them. The scenes with Ginger in pasture, when the two of them were reunited, were so obviously staged. Two horses, facing off camera, were being signalled to rear several times in a row. They were not even facing each other.
The action of the horses in harness was also lacking in realism. Neither horse traveled well in harness and when the bearing rein was supposedly put on, cranking their heads up, you couldn't tell the difference. When Ginger is stretching her neck out, supposedly in sympathy, it is another obvious horse trick - someone is holding a treat for her just off camera and she's stretching out her neck to get it.
Also, Doc's Keeping Time, the main equine actor, was signalled to perform an irritating trick of tossing his head around and up and down to indicate emotions. This is a bad habit for a horse to pick up and most people discourage it; beyond that it was irritating to watch because I knew it was a bad habit and therefore unrealistic, again, to the portrayal. Horses don't toss their heads around in that fashion when exhibiting such emotions.

Picturing Black Beauty lying down while he narrates his tale was also extremely irritating to me. Most horses do not lie down naturally or often; it was an unrealistic attempt to elicit an empathetic reaction from the audience. The only thing I could think was that a horse would never stay for long in that position.

The comic touches also fell flat. In addition, while I admire greatly any horse with the training and ability to perform such a demanding role, Doc's Keeping Time was the wrong physical type. The Black Beauty of that era was a thoroughbred and it is that type of horse which is needed to perform the roles of being a hunter and carriage horse with the correct style for the period. Doc's Keeping Time is an American Quarter Horse, and again, while I admire him greatly, the filmmakers should have spent some extra time or research finding an animal that better fit the role's requirements.
But the ending of the film was surprisingly good. For whatever reason, it touches an emotional chord. I recommend the film highly for children but for adults looking for a good horse movie - it will be amusing but probably disappointing. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Don't expect to plunk your 4-year-old in front of Hallmark's Snow White and have her come away whistling "Heigh Ho"--it's not that kind of movie. Substitute a kingdom of woeful and broody characters (the fairest-of-them-all contenders and their king, plus a green and warty undead guy) for Sleepy, Sneezy, and company, and the picture, a bleak one, becomes clearer. Call it Snow White noir, but don't call it dull. The actors, including Miranda Richardson and Tom Irwin, suck you into their saga of lust and greed by making despair their specialty, and the visuals crackle with a creepy gorgeousness. Writer-director Caroline Thompson sheared this Brothers Grimm adaptation into shape using the same jagged-edged prettiness she brought to the script for Edward Scissorhands; a similar audience--one that can handle a little less light in its darkness--should stick around for Snow White. -Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (48)

It's Finally Here!
After searching Amazon.com for what feels like years, this great version of Snow White is finally out on DVD. As most reviewers have already said, this movie is visually stunning - everything scene is bright and colourful, giving it a truly twenty-first century fairytale look to it. Costumes in particular are lovely whether it be the rainbow outfits of the dwarves or Snow White's own princess-wardrobe.
The story harks back more to the Grimm's fairytale, but contrary to other opinions (including the editorial review) I think this movie is perfectly kid-friendly. I played it for the reasonably sensitive kids I babysit for (aged five to eight) and they were perfectly fine with it - let's give children some credit!
Following the Grimm version, the wood-dwelling couple John and Josephine give birth to a baby daughter according to Jo's wishes when she pricked her finger on a rosebush: a child with hair black as ebony, lips red as blood and skin as white as snow. However when the difficult birth takes Jo's life, John is forced to leave their home to fetch milk for his daughter. He stumbles through the snow, unable to find the village and only survives when his tears melt the icy prison of the Green-Eyed Granter of Wishes, who grants John three wishes in gratitude. Hardly able to believe the situation, John wishes for milk, a kingdom and his queen. The first two are easy work for the genie, but for John's 'queen', the genie goes to his sister Elspeth, an ugly wench who lives to spread misery over the forest creatures (she has a garden of 'real' garden gnomes!) Transforming her into a beautiful woman she gleefully forces John to fall in love with her through the use of a magic mirror, leaving her with a husband to manipulate, a kingdom to rule, and a stepdaughter to manipulate...
Though many may not of realised it if they were not fairytale lovers, the movie actually adds quite a lot of components from the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale 'The Snow Queen', namely the role of the mirror. When Elspeth shatters it, two shards fly into John - one in his eye and one into his heart - the same thing that happens to Kay in Anderson's tale. I suspect many people were confused at the whole mirror sequence if they weren't familiar with this other story.
In keeping in line with the Grimm's story, the movie does include the sash that squeezes the breath out of Snow White as well as the famous apple, but unfortunatly not the poisoned comb. Another fault was that like so may Hallmark productions they do not tie up the ends properly - in this case the plot line concerning Snow White and her mother. When on the run through the woods Snow White stumbles across her mother's grave, and when Elspeth prepares the apple she disguises herself as Josephine, and yet no words are spoken between father and daughter about her at the conclusion of the movie. Likewise I'm not quite sure what did happen to Elspeth - did she really get mauled by angry garden gnomes? It was a shallow end for such a complex character.
In terms of performances, Miranda Richardson obviously stole the spotlight from everyone. She plays her role with great pizzazz from the twisted, bitter hag to the joyful maiden to the jealous and suspecting wife. Kirstin Kreuk definitely looks the part of Snow White with her lovely features and dark hair, but delivers some of her lines a bit awkwardly - however the role of an ideal fairytale princess is a difficult one to play, so we'll let her off. Tom Irwin does all right for a man totally under his wife's thumb, but luckily his performance makes him more a sympathetic character than one to be sneered at. The dwarves have a rather minor role, but certainly stand out in their costumes and ability to transform into a rainbow - the relationship between Snow White and Sunday is especially touching.
Overall this movie is a good one, if not just for its gorgeous appearence - from the elegant yet simple palace to the quiet, peaceful woodlands; the elabourate costumes, the colourful makeup, the subtle yet beautiful special effects, I could go on...

A Moderate Version, Certainly NOT The Fairest Though...
This film is, in a word a.... mishmash. The plot does not exactly follow the story as told by the brothers grimm, nor does it seem to have any one direction or moral. There are so many touches in this film that just don't even represent what the story is about. It is not a true enough interpretation to even please little kids, besides the fact that the scenery is beautiful and the music is alright too. Kristin Kreuk could have been a beautiful Snow White but she is very, very stiff. One might think that she already took a bite of the poisoned apple (or wished she would have) in the first few moments that we see her onscreen. Kreuk plays a very depressed Snow White indeed!
Miranda Richardson delivers a fair performance as, not exactly a queen but more like an ugly enchantress transformed by her brother(This character doesn't really seem to have a place in the story, a very odd choice)who is given the throne. I feel that there are some decent parts in this movie. But nothing screams Snow White. Like I said, the scenery is beautiful but this is not a movie for everyone. You'll either be confused or fall asleep if you are not a big fan of fairy tales or have some knowledge of other tales. It seems as though there were parts from other grimm stories such as The Bear Prince and Snow White and Rose Red incorporated in the plot of this movie but they really do nothing for the story and were a poor choice. Overall, this is not the definitive version and could have been so much more. Watch it if you must, but there are alot better film versions of the wonderful story out there.

No Beauties Here
This is a really bad attempt at retelling the Story of Snow White.
I was one of those poor souls who saw it on tv when it first aired. I am still surprised that they have it available on DVD.
There is nothing magical about the film. The plot line is week and the acting is worse.

I love Kristin Kreuk
If you love Kristin Kreuk from the Wb's hit Smallville, then you will enjoy this DVD when she is on screen for her flawless beauty, however otherwize this movie was a little on the wierd and creepy side. but i still felt i got my money's worth to see Kristin on screen. She in my opinion, was a perfect Snow White.

Um...no.
"Horrible" doesn't even begin to describe this rendition of "Snow White". There was so much wrong with this version of the fairy tale I don't even know where to begin, so instead I'll just focus on the Number One reason you should save your money: Kristen Kruek.

Awful. Dull. Lifeless. Talentless. Kristen Kruek.

She brings her lack of acting ability and lack of enthusiasm for her trade over from Smallville to inflict it upon this movie. I really don't care how pretty she is...she was, from a talent perspective, the absolute WRONG choice for this, or any, role.

Avoid this movie at all costs. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Cute, but inaccurate
This is a fine retelling of Dr. Doolitle, based on some true aspects of Gertrude Lintz's life. Buddy was best known worldwide as "Gargantua" after his sale to the Ringling Brothers circus in 1937 by Ms. Lintz. There was no nature preserve, and no putting him out to pasture. Buddy had been rescued by Ms. Lintz as a baby after he fell victim to an attack by a disgruntled sailor aboard the ship that was carrying him away from his home in the lowlands of Africa. The sailor emptied the contents of a fire extinguisher containing acid into the baby's face and left him for dead. Ms. Lintz bought the once valuable cargo from the captain at a bargain and nursed him back to health. As the movie shows, she raised Buddy along with a menagerie of other creatures as her own child. When he became unmanageable and dangerous, she contacted John Ringling North and Henry "Buddy" Ringling North with a proposition to sell Buddy. Their account of the meeting and sale is vastly different than anything shown in the happy ending of this movie. They characterize Ms. Lintz as an eccentric middle aged woman whose mansion in Brooklyn resembled the drawings of Charles Addams. They sat in her parlor sipping tea for a long time before John broached the subject of the gorilla. They were led to an area in the basement where they saw a man standing guard over a large wooden box that looked like an oversized coffin. The wood had been reinforced with steel, for very good reason. The box was held in place by sturdy wooden timbers on the top and both sides to prevent the gorilla from breaking free. When the door was opened they saw what was later billed as "The world's most terrifying living creature". The grossly disfigured face and hostile behavior meant that Buddy was no longer able to live outside a cage, among men. Both men knew they had to buy the creature and struck a deal to pay $10,000.00 for him. They later had him picked up at Ms. Lintz' home. Henry Ringling North made the suggestion to change his name, since his own nickname was "Buddy", to something more sensational. He came up with the name "Gargantua", adding the term gargantuan to the popular lexicon in the process. Read more about this exchange in the book "The Circus Kings" (out of print) by Henry Ringling North and Alden Hatch, Doubleday Press.

what a apeable film for family.
for those of you that did'nt see this one in the theaters you miss out.it's totally breath of fresh air to me ,despite what the reviews said about it. it has charm , thrill etc. but what good story based on a true story about a woman who raised animals, like they were her own children. miss russo born to play that part , she does a wonderful job . but the animals steal the show, along with the excellent co-stars by them . highly recommended for family viewing!

Entertaining family movie
We all really enjoyed this movie and ended up buying it ! It is about a socialite from the twenties charmingly portrayed by Rene Russo. She raises numerous animals on her LOng Island estate and tries to tame and raise a gorrilla named Buddy. Any child interested in animals will enjoy this film, as will adults. It is set in the twenties and beautifully done , innocent family fun ! What a refreshing change !

Way too creepy for me.
Although at first glance this movie seems like a cute story, the general idea behind it disturbed me. Why did this woman dress chimps up like people and try to get them behave like human children? Animals aren't people, and they certainly don't want to be treated like they are--it's not healthy for them or for their owners, as was illustrated by the problems Gertrude Lintz had in keeping Buddy. The film doesn't seem to get it's own message.

MAGNIFICENT!
I LOVE this movie! I must have seen it 17 times so far. It's based on a true story of Gertrude Lintz, her animals, the gorilla she adopts, and their story. It's so touching. Rene Russo's performance is excellent. I found the animal actors adorable and hilarious. This is definetly a movie for the animal lover. Let Buddy touch your heart. Buy it and be happy. ... Read more