Festive flicks

Brew up the mulled wine, tuck into the mince pies and settle back to enjoy these brilliant classic films that we think rank among the best horse movies of all time…

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WHEN do riders ever get a chance to watch an entire movie except for Christmas Day? With the nights at their longest, the horses cosily tucked up in their stables chomping hay, there’s a little bit more time to hunker down and enjoy our favourite films.

The Grinch, Elf and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang may be required viewing in some households, but some of us just like to watch horses even when we spend most of the day with them, and every waking hour thinking about them. Here’s to a bit of escapism…

Black Beauty

THERE have been several film versions of the 1877 novel by Anna Sewell, which tells the story of Black Beauty’s early days as a carefree colt, to his hard life pulling hackney cabs in London, to his happy retirement in the country, all from the horse’s point of view. Anna Sewell wrote the book to raise awareness about animal welfare and it was an instant bestseller. It’s since sold 50 million copies.

The 1994 film version stars Sean Bean and David Thewliss, with Alan Cumming as the voice of Black Beauty. Emotionally harrowing, although ultimately uplifting, watch it with a box of tissues to hand.

National Velvet

IN this 1944 classic, a young Elizabeth Taylor plays 12-year old Velvet Brown, who dreams of winning the Grand National on her spirited stallion, The Pie. Aided by a young drifter called Mi (Mickey Rooney), she trains Pie for the big race – but how can she ride him to victory at a time when women jockeys were banned? This was the film that shot Elizabeth Taylor, aged 12 herself, to stardom. It’s a must-see for every pony-mad girl (or grown-up) who dreams of equestrian success.