Watch National Velvet

National Velvet is a heartwarming tale that takes place in the English countryside. It is centered around a young girl named Velvet Brown, played by Elizabeth Taylor, who loves horses more than anything else in the world. Her father, played by Donald Crisp, works as the local butcher and struggles to make ends meet. However, Mr. Brown often indulges Velvet's passion for horses and even buys her a piebald horse, which she names The Pie.

One day, Velvet learns about the National Grand Prix horse race that is going to take place in their small village. She becomes determined to enter the race and win the prize money, which she plans to use to help her family. The problem is that The Pie is not a racehorse, and Velvet knows little about racing. Despite these obstacles, Velvet convinces a down-on-his-luck jockey named Mi Taylor, played by Mickey Rooney, to help her train The Pie for the race.

As the training progresses, Velvet and Mi develop a close bond. Velvet's determination and passion for racing and Mi's experience and expertise create a winning combination. Together, they work to get The Pie ready for the race. Throughout their training, they face many challenges, including financial difficulties, injuries, and disapproving neighbours. Despite these challenges, they never give up.

The day of the race arrives, and Velvet and The Pie face fierce competition from other seasoned riders and majestic stallions. As the race progresses, The Pie begins to gain ground and makes his way to the front of the pack. With a thrilling final sprint, The Pie crosses the finish line first, making Velvet the first-ever female winner of the National Grand Prix.

The win brings joy and happiness to Velvet and her family. However, the victory also leads to unexpected consequences that test Velvet's resolve and determination. She must learn to navigate her newfound fame and success while also staying true to her values and beliefs.

National Velvet tells an inspiring story of triumph over adversity, friendship, and the unbreakable bond between horses and their riders. The film features standout performances by the three main leads who create three-dimensional and relatable characters. Elizabeth Taylor shines as the brave and determined Velvet, who is not afraid to challenge the norms of her time. Donald Crisp portrays Velvet's loving father with great tenderness and warmth, while Mickey Rooney delivers an energetic and charismatic performance as Mi.

The film also boasts lovely cinematography that captures the rolling hills and lush green landscapes of the British countryside. The scenes featuring the horse race are particularly thrilling and well-choreographed, adding to the excitement and tension of the story.

National Velvet has become a classic in the realm of feel-good family films, and it remains a favourite among audiences young and old. Its timeless message of perseverance and the power of dreams continues to inspire and touch audiences to this day.

National Velvet is a 1944 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 4 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 83.