Parents' Guide to

National Velvet

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Great family movie; even better for horse lovers.

Movie G 1944 123 minutes
National Velvet Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 6+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Denise A.
Denise A. Parent of 4, 7 and 10-year-old
February 15, 2016
age 6+

Great movie.

Just great. My daughter (9) was completely with it the whole time, my son (6) had moments of "is that horse really hurt?" - but then watched as the horse got up. Emotional, great models for kids, the adults are smart but let the kids make some mistakes- a truly great family movie.
1 person found this helpful.
mabel2009
mabel2009 Adult
March 22, 2009
age 6+

sweet horse movie!

Wonderful horse movie-will keep even little kids interested in the beauty of it while older children will be able to understand it & parents won't be bored! :) Great acting, great story!
1 person found this helpful.
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In NATIONAL VELVET, when young Velvet Brown (Elizabeth Taylor) meets Mi Taylor (Mickey Rooney), the two immediately connect, bonding over their love of horses. He came to town because he found Velvet's mother's name in his late father's address book, but he has no idea what their relationship was. Velvet wins an uncontrollable horse in a lottery that she names Pi; she decides that Pi must be in the Grand National race and goes against the adults' wishes by riding him herself. She wins but is disqualified because she's a girl. Still, the family returns home in triumph, knowing that they won what was important to them. Appearance and endorsement offers follow, but Velvet knows that it's time to move on. So does Mi, who says good-bye to Mr. and Mrs. Brown. When Velvet hears that he's gone, she asks if she can tell him about his father, who helped Mrs. Brown achieve an important dream. Mrs. Brown consents, and Velvet races after Mi, catching up to him just as the movie ends.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (4):

This is a heartwarming story about dreams -- wise and foolish, big and small, realized and impossible -- and about the way these dreams change those who are lucky enough to dream them. But it also deals with what happens after the dream comes true.

The film also conveys the importance of faith -- Velvet's faith in herself, Pi, and her dream; and her family's faith in her and in Mi -- and the importance of that belief and support in making the dream come true. But most of all, National Velvet is the story of a loving family, making it a wonderful starting point for a discussion of the ways that families of all kinds can teach and support each other.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why Velvet can't keep the prize, even though she won. What kinds of stereotypes about women were popular in the era of National Velvet? What kinds of stereotypes about women remain?

  • Why didn't Velvet want to make movies or do any of the other things people asked her to do after she won? What are the benefits and drawbacks of being a celebrity?

  • How do the characters in National Velvet demonstrate integrity and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths?

Movie Details

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