Watch Black Beauty
- TV-PG
- 2020
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6.4 (4,442)
Black Beauty is a 2020 film that tells the timeless story of a wild horse, Black Beauty, who overcomes various obstacles in life in order to find his true purpose. Directed and written by Ashley Avis, she explores the enduring bond between humans and animals, and the challenges they face in making that bond work. The film starts with a teenage girl, Jo Green (Mackenzie Foy), who, after suffering a personal tragedy, finds herself in need of a new home. She is taken in by John Manly (Iain Glen), a horse trainer who lives in a large and lovely country estate. It is here that she meets Black Beauty, a beautiful wild horse ridden by John. With time, Black Beauty starts to warm up to Jo, and she realizes that the horse is just as lonely as she is.
As the story progresses, Jo forms a strong bond with Black Beauty, and the audience gets a glimpse of the horse's troubled past. Black Beauty was born free and wild, running through the meadows with his mother. But as fate would have it, he was captured by a group of unscrupulous horse traders and taken away to be tamed and trained. He was eventually sold to a wealthy family who owned a large estate where he lived peacefully until they too fell into hard times, and when the land was seized by the bank, Black Beauty found himself being sold once again.
Throughout the film, we see Black Beauty being passed around from one owner to another, undergoing different degrees of cruelty and neglect, including being mistreated and overworked. In his journey, he meets different horses and people, some who are kind and others who are not. As he goes through these experiences, the audience can empathize with his struggles and see how he eventually finds his way back to Jo.
Black Beauty exudes themes of hope, resilience, and perseverance in the face of adversity. The film also highlights the importance of animal welfare and the relationship between humans and animals. The story seeks to raise awareness of the ways animals are mistreated around the world, and the need for individuals to step up and do something to change the narrative.
The acting in the film is outstanding, with Mackenzie Foy delivering an excellent performance as the teenage Jo Green. She brings a great depth to her character, portraying a relatable and determined young woman. Iain Glen is equally impressive in his performance as John Manly; he is kindly, fatherly and compassionate towards both Jo and Black Beauty.
One of the film's most notable features is its cinematography. It showcases breathtaking landscapes and beautiful animal shots that immerse viewers in the story. The visuals are stunning, and the movie's score by Guillaume Roussel complements the stunning images, making it all more immersive.
In conclusion, Black Beauty is an emotive, uplifting film that underscores the bonds we share with animals, and the challenges we face along the way. It delivers a hopeful message about finding light in the darkness, even in the bleakest of circumstances. It is a must-see movie for anyone who loves horses or animals in general, and a story that will stick with viewers long after the credits have rolled.
Black Beauty is a 2020 drama. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 52.