Black Beauty
2020 · Directed by Ashley Avis
Original language: English
- drama
The story
Born free in the American West, Black Beauty is a horse rounded up and brought to Birtwick Stables, where she meets spirited teenager Jo Green. The two forge a bond that carries Beauty through the different chapters, challenges and adventures.
What it’s like
Wide, sun-warmed pastures and soft English countryside light, with the camera often following the horse at a respectful distance so that open fields and hedgerows fill the frame. Scenes of stable yards, muddy lanes and rain-dark roads give the film a grounded, earthy texture, and a warm, unhurried score sits under a gentle narration that carries the story forward. The mood is tender and wistful, a family drama with a bittersweet undercurrent, the kind to watch on a slow weekend afternoon or as a comfort rewatch with someone younger. Pacing is steady and episodic, moving through the horse's changing owners and seasons, and the emotional focus stays on the bond between a restless teenage girl and the animal she learns to trust, with the arcs of both gradually softening. Intensity is low to moderate: there are harsh moments of neglect, a few frightening accidents and some sorrowful losses, but no gore, and cruelty is shown briefly rather than lingered on. It suits families, animal lovers and viewers who want an emotionally honest, gentle story that stays kind to its audience.
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