National Velvet
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Movie Reviews of National Velvet
Movie Review: National Velvet--Required for all School Curriculums
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not just a magnificent cinematic masterpiece, but tells the story of how to have a successful life! Wonderful scenes depicting what a great marriage and parenting is all about--Mother Anne Revere received an Oscar for her performance here.
Just heard Liz Taylor on Larry King state that she actually rode the horse in all the scenes, no stunt doubles. She said, "I had to do it, everyone was afraid of the horse, but me". She was given the horse as a gift after the filming wrapped. Larry asked her "which movie did you enjoy making the most?". She quickly replied, "National Velvet, of course".
Movie Review: Wonderful film; average DVD release
Summary: 4 Stars
It had been years since I'd watched National Velvet starring Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney, until picking up this DVD recently. The film was as good as I remembered, if not more so now that I can view it with some measure of nostalgia for youthful innocence and the power of dreams. As Velvet Brown, an 11-year-old Elizabeth Taylor glows on screen and brings to the role of a girl in love with horses all the wistfulness and energy that could be desired. Mickey Rooney is also excellent as a young wandering man (Mi Taylor) whose tragic backstory eventually reveals itself in an emotional, if somewhat overwrought, scene between these two characters. The chemistry between Rooney and Taylor is unmistakable and gives weight to the trust and friendship that develops between Velvet and Mi. Although Velvet is too young to be concerned with boys in a romantic sense, the viewer gets the sense that these two are equals and truly respect each other. It's refreshing to see a friendship between a boy and girl portrayed so well.
This film succeeds in telling a heartwarming and life-affirming story of how a dream come true can change a life forever. For Velvet's mother, it was swimming the English Channel as a young woman. For her daughter, Velvet, it is winning a spirited horse, the Pie, and training him (with Mi's guidance) to race in the Grand National Steeplechase. In fact, some of the film's most poignant and graceful scenes occur between Velvet and her mother, played by Anne Revere. Mrs. Brown is a fount of wisdom for Velvet and shows great love and support for her daughter's dream by supplying the needed entry money for the horse race from her own winnings from her swim across the Channel years before.
This is a film to love for its many pleasures, such as a memorable cast (including a young Angela Lansbury as Velvet's older, boy-crazy sister), pastoral setting, and beautifully told story. It's a true classic and not one to miss. However, this DVD release is not quite worthy of the film. It deserves a cleaner transfer. One scene in particular is out of focus. There are no extra features or commentary that would make viewing the film a richer experience. But, for the price, it is worth picking up to watch for now, while we hope and wait for a better release someday.
Movie Review: Top Notch!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is another of those classic horse movies that is STILL great today! I have seen it a hundred times, and I still enjoy it just as much as the first time. :)The story is basically a poor, horse-crazy girl named Velvet Brown (Elizabeth Taylor) ends up with an unruly, but talented horse she calls The Pie. He's known for jumping out of pastures and being a nuisance! A young boy (Mickey Rooney) ends up staying with her family for awhile, to help out with the family business. He happens to know about horses and helps Velvet train The Pie. They end up entering the horse in the most prestigious steeplechase event in the world, the Grand National. The rest I'll keep a secret!
The story is so heart warming and special... the characters are funny and sympathetic. The acting is superb! A very young Angela Landsbury has a part as Velvet's beautiful older sister! And the race at the end is just brilliant - you really can't help but cheer The Pie on - to this day I find myself standing up and screaming along as he is leaping over those fences!
The movie followed the basic story of the book, but as with most movies they had to leave a lot out. The book is a classic in its own right though, and well worth reading if you haven't already. The story is so exciting and fun, its one I will never forget. I highly recommend seeing this movie, even if you're not a horse fanatic. :)
Movie Review: NOTHING BEATS THIS MOVIE
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie is a true classic in the very sense of the word.The story, the cinematography, the acting of Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney. All together can not be beat.
Movie Review: Wonderful Technicolor Film About a Girl's Dream
Summary: 5 Stars
I love both the book of NATIONAL VELVET and this film, which makes small changes to the book, but the theme and joy remain the same. Sickly Velvet Brown wins a fractious horse in a lottery and she and ex-jockey Mi Taylor train the horse to race in England's most famous steeplechase, the Grand National, a grueling race with frightening jumps. Velvet's family--her wise mother, excitable father, lovelorn older sister, telltale other sister, and mischievous little brother are all entertaining in their own right--some of the best scenes in the movie are between Anne Revere as Mrs. Brown and Donald Crisp as Mr. Brown. All this in glorious Technicolor recreating an English village of the 1920s. A must-have. Read the book as well--there is another sister in the story, more horse incidents, and it's not "translated" for American sensibilities like Harry Potter, so you get a real feel for English life and dialect at the time.