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DVD Drama
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Written by Abbie Bernstein
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Tuesday, 30 November 1999
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title:
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BLACK BEAUTY |
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studio:
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Warner Bros. Family Entertainment |
| starring: |
Alan Cumming (voice), Sean Bean, David Thewlis, Jim Carter |
| release year: |
1994 |
| film rating: |
Four Stars |
| sound/picture: |
Three-and-a-Half Stars |
| reviewed by: |
Abbie Bernstein |
Director/screenwriter Caroline Thompson’s adaptation of Anna Sewell’s
classic 19th-century animal tale ‘Black Beauty’ remains one of the
unsung best pictures of 1994 and one of the best family films of the
‘90s. Loving, impassioned, beautiful to look at and faithful to the
source material, this version is the perfect cinematic mate to its
literary source. Thompason has adapted Sewell’s novel in a clean,
straightforward style while reveling unapologetically in the wonder of
horses.
Thompson daringly preserves Sewell’s manner of storytelling, with the
horse Black Beauty relating his saga in his own words. Although Beauty
does not converse with humans nor (in this film) with his fellow
beasts, he conveys his thoughts to us via voiceover. His attitude is so
warmly matter-of-fact, with a slight plaintive tinge now and then -
credit actor Alan Cumming for employing precisely the right vocal touch
- that this convention works without ever seeming precious.
We are introduced to Beauty when he is a content, older animal. He
assures us that life was not always so pleasant and proceeds to review
his eventful past. We are shown his birth and first faltering steps at
his mother’s side in the dramatic Chapter 3; his first sight of the
wide world of the field and all the creatures therein; his experiences
being taught to bear a bit and a saddle. Throughout his life, Beauty is
sold again and again, his fate resting on the good or ill will or
whatever master has him.
Although the protagonist is essentially passive - one of the main
themes in ‘Black Beauty’ is that it is up to humans to treat domestic
animals well, as animals are entirely subject to human whim - Thomas
creates a sense of forward momentum and invites empathy rather than
pity for Beauty. In her capable hands, the story is enormously moving
without being coy or treacly. Thomson makes us believe this is really
how a horse sees the world - and makes us care mightily while she’s at
it.
Every shot conveys excitement, curiosity and a visceral sense of place
and event. A burning barn in Chapter 12 is especially harrowing, with
immediate, gripping sound effects, but the subtler sounds and visuals
throughout are also tremendously affecting. Danny Elfman’s score soars
and Alex Thomson’s cinematography captures images that sing to the eyes.
‘Black Beauty’ is a rarity, a film that lives up to its "for all ages"
billing, one of the most accessible and most poetic animal movies made
in ages. It is a disk worth purchasing to for repeat viewings, with or
without young friends on hand.
| more details |
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sound format:
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English Dolby Surround Stereo; French Dolby Surround Stereo |
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aspect ratio(s):
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Original Aspect Ratio, Enhanced for Widescreen TVs (exact ratio not given); Full-Screen Aspect Ratio: 1:3:3 |
| special features: |
Theatrical Trailer; French Language Soundtrack; English Closed-Captioning; French Subtitles; Chapter Search |
| comments: |
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| reference system |
| DVD player: |
Kenwood DV-403 |
| receiver: |
Kenwood VR-407 |
| main speakers: |
Paradigm Atom |
| center speaker: |
Paradigm CC-170 |
| rear speakers: |
Paradigm ADP-70 |
| subwoofer: |
Paradigm PDR-10 |
| monitor: |
27-inch Toshiba |
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