Absolutely brilliant

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Yes. Indeed! - Regardless of National Velvet now being 70 years old, this entertaining, heart-warming tale about trust, personal victory and following one's dream is, without a doubt, an endearing, MGM classic that can be enjoyed by the whole family.With an excellent cast, headlined by Elizabeth Taylor (12 at the time), Mickey Rooney, and Anne Revere, National Velvet's story is a rather charming "horse tale" that jauntily crosses the finish line as a bona-fide winner.This lush, Technicolor treat (which was adapted from Enid Bagnold's novel of the same name) was set in the 1920s (in England) in the rural, coastal county of Sussex.A real stand-out performance in this first-rate picture was that of Anne Revere (who played Velvet's mother, Araminty Brown). Revere won an Oscar for her "Best Supporting Actress" role.I certainly recommend National Velvet highly to anyone who truly enjoys a big, wholesome slice of vintage, Hollywood movie-making.

This is such a beautiful film visually I almost (almost) hate to quibble over some of the weirdness of it. The heart-lifting scenes of riding a spirited, stunning thoroughbred around the Pebble Beach/17mile Drive area even led me to take out a horse and try to relive the image on the beach trails of a local stable in that same area. My horse was not so beautiful nor I such a great rider, but the scenery was as splendid as it appears in the 1944 film. The look of horses and seaside vistas are the best part of the film. The artificiality of the "English village" decorated with Kincade-like painted backdrops only serves to emphasize how much better the location shots are. Mickey Rooney actually is a bit toned down in this film and works well with the budding Elizabeth Taylor who is charming and endearing despite moments of manic giddiness (blame the director, not the young actor). Donald Crisp (Lassie, How Green Was My Valley) was great as always as the gruff, kindly father who thinks he is running things. Anne Revere, however, seems a strange casting choice. Most of the time she has a squinting, somewhat sour or bitter look, broken rarely by bleak smiles. She's not an inexperienced actress and did good work in other films, but the only reason I can figure out why she got the Oscar nod for this film was because of the the quality of the dialogue and situations given her character as a proud, strong, and visionary woman. Perhaps it's just a matter of taste, but for me she doesn't look right at all for the part. And none of the children look like they could be physically related to her except perhaps that archly unamusing little brat of a younger brother. Jackie Jenkins seems to have been a studio favorite in those days as pint-sized comic relief (see The Human Comedy where he plays Mickey Rooney's younger brother). I began to dread when the camera reversed to him, knowing we were in for some more gag-me cuteness delivered by a child actor with the blankest face in film history. So these could be quibbles over personal taste but the greatest problem, with the plotting at least, is the way Rooney's character, after showing kind, brotherly concern for Velvet, gives in after a very brief struggle and helps her ride for the pride and glory of it (his and hers) in a horse sport as dangerous as rodeo bareback riding. The steeplechase footage in this film demonstrate that starkly, with horses rolling on their necks and drivers(if they are able)limping off the field. It's not the chariot race from Ben Hur, but it's close. How could an ex-jockey, fearful himself of riding in just such an event as a result of a terrible crash he was involved in that took another rider's life agree to let a girl about whom he supposedly cares, or any youngster, take this potentially deadly ride? The parents who managed to stay at home seem to be fine with this. Was it okay with Mom because it gave her chance to relive vicariously her past swimming triumph? It's a very strange conclusion to a film that is in many ways a classic.

I am a teenager and first saw this film when I was just seven years old. I fell in love with it, and ever since it has been my favorite film!! When I saw it, I loved the rawness and pureness of the film and connected to the dreams Velvet Brown had. I grew up wondering who the young girl was, only knowing she was the girl in "National Velvet," to my sadness Elizabeth Taylor passed away last year, but her beauty and elegance will never be forgotten.National Velvet, is a story that will touch your heart, and make anyone at any age feel the emotions given through each performance. This is not just a horse movie, but a film about the love and drive of a young girl that changes views of those around her. While this film would not be first pick for someone my age in my generation or even the younger one, it is a classic film that I hope my children will enjoy as I have.I really hope future generations look back on these films and realize the beauty in them and how they remain treasures to those that love film.

This movie is all charm. It is adorable, touching, incredibly sweet, and terribly precious. There is not one moment that does not touch your heart. From the Brown family - with the sisters Edwina (a young Angela Lansbury!) and Malvolia (Juanita Quigley) and the precious, freckled, innocent, and clever Donald (Jackie Jenkins). The Gibraltar of wisdom, Mrs. Brown (Anne Revere) and the Irish, folksy, can't-help-but-love-him Mr. Brown (Donald Crisp). Not to mention the stars of the program, Mi Taylor (Mickey Rooney) and Velvet (the incomparable Elizabeth Taylor). Velvet is all heart, so full of her love for horses, so innocent and pure in her selflessness for Pie. And Mi, the ne'er-do-well who finds his courage and sense of self in Velvet's pure, unadulterated trust in him. What character dwells deep in these people, what stories, what charm! And even though I knew the story, I cheered and clapped in the racing scene, and I teared up with the trust and wisdom of Mrs. Brown to Velvet. A real classic, timeless and truly beautiful, that will leave you warm and inspired.