Black Beauty (G, 1994)

Black Beauty is a carefree colt, just beginning his training, when he is sold to the loving Gordon family. Here, Beauty meets a spirited young filly named Ginger and proves his heroism in a raging river. But good-natured stable boy Joe doesn't care for him properly and the horse becomes sick. Joe nurses Beauty back to health and later rescues him from a stable fire. Beauty and Ginger are sold and both horses (particularly Ginger) are abused by their new family. Scarred but still spry, Beauty eventually is bought by Jerry, a decent man who operates a livery cab. This life proves harder on Jerry than on his horse. Beauty is sold again, then nearly worked to death hauling grain. At last, he is rescued by Joe and put out to pasture to enjoy the last years of his life.

Legions of youngsters cherish this 1877 children's classic, with its natural and man-made disasters, its sadistic villains, and noble heroes. This film does an excellent job of capturing the tone and spirit of Anna Sewell's book. In telling the story from the horse's point of view, it stays faithful to its source and keeps the dignified leading character front and center. The book was an early animal rights story, and the movie follows in the same vein.

An 8-year-old boy who watched the movie was wholly captivated. Beauty's many close calls kept him on the edge of his seat. He enjoyed delightful moments like the newborn foal struggling to stand and the raucous playfulness between Beauty and Ginger, tried to hold back the tears when young Joe had to give up Beauty, and cried when Ginger died. The movie packs a punch and parents should be ready for children's emotional reactions. Since it's told in flashback, children know from the movie's opening that Beauty will turn out okay, but his many trials along the way make a significant impression.