One well-known movie horse didn’t actually exist! ‘ A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!’ is Richard III’s cry when he desperately needs a horse to escape from those who would kill him on Bosworth Field.Quite different, however, from the evil Richard and his non-existent horse are the three we meet in these movies. The sheer expendibility of both man and horse in Richard III’s time would have certainly made modern inventions like horse insurance beyond the financial reach even of the highest nobility!
The Black Stallion
Produced in 1979 – some 400 years after Shakespeare – this film deservedly won many awards.How Alec and a high-spirited Arabian stallion interact provide the narrative of this film. Especially memorable is the shipwreck scene and Alec’s subsequent rescue from drowning by the horse and the ensuing time on a desert island where they learn to overcome the mistrust they previously felt for each other. They learn to trust each other and become devoted partners. It’s a wonderful portrayal of the deep bonds that can exist between man (well,’boy’) and horse. I won’t tell you any more in case I spoil things for those who haven’t yet seen it. Possibly ‘the greatest children’s movie ever made’ was the opinion of one critic.But adults too can find much to relish in the film.
Black Beauty
Does a horse have to be black?. I suppose ‘Piebald Beauty’ doesn’t have quite the same ring to it. Unlike the Black Stallion, which we see as outside observers, this 1994 film puts Black Beauty as the narrator. One of the problems is that the voice shows no signs of reflecting an equine outlook. This isn’t to say that it doesn’t make the sort of horsey sounds that would rapidly empty any cinema. No, it’s what the horse says and how it’s said that grates. And, unfortunately, it voices the opinions of a rather naive and sanctimonious human. However hard you try, you cannot fail to find Black Beauty’s human attitudes and voice clumsy and ineffective. Although there’s a lot of cringing sentimentality, there’s also some magnificent photography especially of Black Beauty strutting her stuff.
The Horse Whisperer
This is a more recent film – 1998. Grace and her precious horse, Pilgrim, recover from a terrible accident in this film. Following this accident, Grace’s mother, Annie, takes daughter and horse to the wide open spaces of Montana to seek the help of a man, Tom, who’s renowned for his ability to empathize with troubled horses. Tom’s powers of empathizing are equally as effective with disturbed women as with disturbed horses. It doesn’t take long for both Annie and Pilgrim to become devoted to him. The film is not, though, only about the recovery of Grace and Pilgrim and the love that dawns between Annie and Tom; it’s also about the differences between city life (Annie came from a hectic metropolitan life in Manhattan) and country life. Annie is faced with choosing either the down-to earth Tom or her high-flying lawyer husband. Will she make the right choice?!
These horse movies will provide you with plenty of moving horses – trotting, cantering and galloping, as well as moving moments. Though you may consider some of the ‘moving’ moments mawkish and laughable, you will find many of the purely visual scenes to be extremely delightful. It is not only a rider that these horses carry; they are also the vehicle for a message. You will have to make up your mind as to what this message is and whether or not its conveyance is a burden to the horse. The answer can be obtained by a phone call to your local DVD store!
This article has been published for the millions of horse enthusiasts all over the world by Animal Friends Equine Insurance – the UK’s only not-for-profit horse insurance provider. Horse rider insurance can be bought today online or by phone, and all net profits go to benefit troubled animals all over the world. You can read more about the many charities helped by Animal Friends on the charity support pages of their ethical pet insurance website.
Tags: equestrian, horse insurance, horse riding, non-profit insurance company
