The Adventures of Black Beauty (1972–1974) User Reviews (8)

Happy childhood memories but...

[rustywriter-292-501345 · 7/10 · 26 April 2022]

I use to watch this when I was young but never fully appreciated it as much as I do now after watching it again more recently. I thought the acting and scripts were great if a little unrealistic with their happy endings at times (case in point - a convict gives up his freedom to save a boy even though he shows no empathy until that moment), and of course Judi Bowker and Stacy Dorning were both knockouts.

I have a long memory though and there was always one main gripe I had with the show. I am a stickler for continuity and I always remember how they never explained what happened to Vicky after the first season. We saw the introduction of her sister Jenny but simply no mention whatsoever of where her predecessor went to, not a letter from her, nor even a whisper from her father. It was as if she never existed. How hard would have been for the scriptwriters to have fixed that one little oversight?

Upon re-watching, the disappearance of at least one of the children in nearly every episode became apparent. Jenny was missing from nearly one fifth of the episodes which is high for a main star (Vicky only missed one in her season). Ned, even though he was living in Doctor Gordon's house, would be nowhere to be seen for weeks. It could be to do with the availability of the actors of course but still, I found it annoying. When one was gone, the others never even talked about them.

Finally, I cannot give this show a 10, because nothing, no horse show ever will compare to my beloved Follyfoot, my favourite horse show of all time, but for what it is and the decade it came from (who does series like this today of simple adventure and relative innocence?) The Adventures of Black Beauty comes a reasonable second.

Excellent

[Dawnfrancis · 30 November 2003]

This really was a great series. The classic story of Black Beauty is continued here with fine performances and great locations. And who could forget that theme tune! If you remember it the first time around,it will bring back memories.If not, watch it and enjoy for the first time, the adventures of a very famous horse.

Wonderful Children's Drama

[sales-58330 · 10/10 · 5 January 2017]

Despite what you might have read here or elsewhere, the show wasn't based on the book by Anna Sewell, it wasn't an adaptation, it was more a continuation, so if you're expecting a reincarnation of the book on the small screen then you're not gonna get it, so gallop along please - nothing to see here...

The show was made by LWT in the UK, who put rather a lot of money into the production, especially for what was a programme made for children. It was originally broadcast on a Sunday early evening and because of that it reached a wide audience than just kids.

It's popularity ensured it actually made the top twenty in the viewing figures many times during its two seasons.

There was something special about the way it was filmed and presented on screen and was much different from other kids TV produced at the same time. It had beautiful scenery with Gothic overtones and really good acting and each episode highly entertaining.

They should have called it "The Adventures of the Humans that Owned Black Beauty"

[arklier · 2/10 · 30 January 2007]

The book was told from the viewpoint of Black Beauty, and focused primarily on what happened to him and the other animals. If there's any story that demands talking animals, then it's this one. While they didn't have CGI back in the 1970s, they could have done something similar to Mr. Ed.

This show suffers from a major change in focus from the book. It's not about Black Beauty. It's about the humans in the story, plus some extra characters they threw in.

It's like making a show or movie based on the novel Traveller by Richard Adams and having it focus on General Lee.

The show was pretty, and the acting was good, but I can't give this show a good rating. A show supposedly based on the novel should actually be about Black Beauty, not about the parade of humans that passed through his life.

Journey back to Childhood

[mikiap · 10/10 · 5 March 2005]

I've seen this series years ago on TV and now it's available on DVD again and it's like a journey back to childhood. I've been in love with the main actress, Judi Bowker, that time and it's like a revival to see this pictures again. The stories are residing in the England of the ending 19th century, the Victorian time. A medical doctor has opened his doctor's practice outside of London on the countryside. He brought along his daughter, his son and his housekeeper. In the first episode they met this black horse which later is named Black Beauty. This is the type of 'ideal world' stories you like to be watched by children. The good always wins in the end and the bad always loses. But sometimes aside of all the triviality it can tug on your heartstrings. If you get the chance take a look.

Oh the nostalgia!!!

[cooperhmc · 5 November 2005]

This series was made the year I was born - 1972 - and so it must have been the reruns I used to watch but I do recall that it was an unmissable show for me. This series is timeless because it reflects a time that, even when it was made, had already passed. Sure, some of the hairstyles give it away at times for being from the 70's but it's something you could show your kids now and it wouldn't be dated. I don't have any kids but I have just purchased the " Best of" DVD as I want, someday, for my kids to appreciate the innocence of growing up that this show reflects.

I agree with a previous user, it does show good triumphing over bad, promotes good morals and, at times will tug at the heart strings, but its the kind of wholesome entertainment that you want your kids to watch as it always promotes "doing the right thing".

I am not ashamed to say that, mentally, I joined Vicky, Kevin, Albert and then Jenny and Ned on ALL of their adventures and, even now that I am all grown up ( as are all the actors who played them) I am being transported back to those childhood days in a warm, fuzzy and nostalgic glow. Albert was always my favourite character and I would LOVE to know where Tony Maiden is today. To me, he was always the most endearing character - the one who added all the humour. My only criticism of the DVD release? It only contains 11 of the 54 episodes that were made over the 2 seasons. Please, let's have Box set releases for both seasons. I suspect a lot of parents of my generation would far rather their kids watched shows like this than the violence that kids are subjected to nowadays.

A stellar show for the whole family!!!

[jpumphrey1 · 8 April 2004]

This stellar TV show from England is a classic!!! Great acting and directing!!! The show stars: William Lucas,Charlotte Mitchell(The Man In The White Suit),Roderick Shaw,Judi Bowker(Brother Sun,Sister Moon),Stacy Dorning and Michael Culver(The Empire Strikes Back). The directors include:Michael Crichton(The Lavender Hill Mob,A Fish Called Wanda),John Reardon,David Andrews,Gerry Poulson,Peter Duffell and Ray Austin.The awesome guest stars include:John Thaw(Inspector Morse),Peter Angelis(Sweeney!,Yellow Submarine),Jack Shepherd(Wycliffe,No Escape),John Junkin(A Hard Day's Night),Robert Coleby(Crocodile Hunter:Collision Course)and more!!! A great show for the entire family!!! If you like horses and adventure, this is the show for you!!! A top notch production!!! A+

Great series,a pleasure to watch.

[JB-9 · 31 August 2000]

A really enjoyable television series. Filmed in Rickmansworth in Herts among lovley coutryside. Great theme music and performances from all the stars.

Judi Bowker,who played Vicky,left after a while and was replaced by Stacy Dorning,who played Jenny.