National Velvet is the classic little-girl-and-her-horse movie, which made Elizabeth Taylor a star as Velvet (in a role, incidentally, that former MP Shirley Williams auditioned for).
She’s the girl who wants to enter her horse, Pie, in the Grand National, with the help of young trainer Mi (Rooney). Soon Velvet is cutting her hair to pass herself off as a male jockey, ready to ride that famous race at Aintree.
Nominated for five Oscars, and winner of two (Best Editing and Best Supporting Actress for Anne Revere as Velvet’s mum), this is a slice of old England (even if it was made by Americans and filmed in California!). One for every girl, young or old, who has dreamed of having a horse of her very own.
Is National Velvet suitable for kids? Here are our parents’ notes...
None.
If you like this, why not try: International Velvet, Racing Stripes, The Black Stallion, Black Beauty, Fly Away Home,