chartbury Like its predecessor, National Velvet, International Velvet (1978) boasts a stellar cast: teenager Tatum O'Neal, the gorgeous Nanette Newman, and leading men Christopher Plummer and Sir Anthony Hopkins. It also has a more believable plot and a top-notch writer/director in Bryan Forbes (The Stepford Wives, The Slipper and the Rose, The Guns of Navarone, Colditz). The main stories are Sarah Brown's (O'Neal), an American orphan who finds herself in England with an aunt she doesn't know (Newman as the adult Velvet Brown), and of the horses and people inextricably entwined in their lives. A poignant and graceful growing up story of the challenges facing a difficult teenager and the adults who raise her, International Velvet has something for both horse lovers and non horse-lovers alike. More important than Sarah's bid for the Olympics is the love that is won. The cinematography and Francis Lai's soundtrack are stunning and awards worthy; Tatum should have won another Oscar with this role, too. Beautiful scenery. An under-rated feel-good family film!Warning: Box of tissues useful when watching this movie as, amid the love and triumph, there is some gritty realism.

lily-73 Every time I hear the opening music to this movie, I start to get emotional, it brings back a period of my life when I first saw it so vividly. I read the book at around the same time (also by Brian Forbes) I just really like the themes in the film - loss and bereavement, growing up, unrequited love, finding your calling, not ever giving up, and the loyalty humans and animals can have for each other (even though I am not particularly into horses the way other people seem to think you have to be to like this film) My children loved this film just as much when I showed it to them, they "got it", although they did find the car scene and the aeroplane scene harrowing. I think it is a fantastic film and it makes me feel about 13 again. And I defy anyone not to weep at the end when orphaned Sarah asks Scott to meet "my parents"!

Leffa-Guru I think I was about 10 when I first saw this film. I loved every minute of it and always felt that the ending was a bit rushed, because if the subject matter is sappy, then the sappiness must go on so that it produces real thick syrup -- like Sarah Brown having a baby "a new Olympic gold-medallist hopeful" and so forth. Well, with that ending "twist" they would have needed to have someone older to play Tatum O'Neal's part in the end and obviously that was not to be.. anyway, just my 2cents.But back to the review.. I think I've seen the film numerous times during the past 14 years or so and it's always good. I like the riding parts (great to spot famous Eventers) I've had the biggest crush on Christopher Plummer ever since I saw the Sound of Music (way before this) and I had an Anthony Hopkins period as well. So actor-wise this film is PERFECT! Oh, and I think the film shows the blood, sweat and tears what you need in order to be the best. Great film.And yeah, Sarah Brown is not English or British, she's American whose come to live with her auntie and auntie's man in England.

Dublintoo I saw this movie when I was 13. I think I must have seen it 50 times if not more. I bought 2 copies of the book, and have collected more than a few items of memorabilia that have to do with the movie over the years. I was so jealous of Tatum O'Neal, I wished it was me in the picture. I have been to Ledyard-where they filmed Sarah's first visit to the US as a member of the US team and it was awesome to see the 3 day eventing up close and personal. I love horses and even had my own for quite a while. (I even wanted to change his name to Arizona Pie but figured since he'd had his name for sometime that every time I called him, I was afraid he wouldn't come!!!) I have a copy of the movie and treasure it like it's gold! This movie is for anyone young or old who loves horses. It's a great family movie and one to be watched over and over again.