5 Top Silver Screen Horses that Made Us All Fall in Love
We all love movie animals. From Jurassic Park to Star Wars you cannot help but have your favourite fluffy. In time for Aintree Festival betting, we have collated our top on scene horses which make every girl fall in love.
Black Beauty (1946, 1994) written by Anna Sewell
Black Beauty was first aired on the big screen in 1946 then again as a remake in 1994. Writer Anna Sewell tells the story of a majestic black colt named Black Beauty who has a charmed life on a farm until she is sold to work on the carriages in London. The story ends with her happy retirement to the countryside once again. Our favourite quote from the book is “…. there is no religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like about their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to man and beast, it is all a sham….” which shows the stories true life reflection of hardship and cruelty overcome with kindness.
Artax, Atreyu‘s horse in Michael Ende‘s The Neverending Story
Never Ending Story is a Germany fantasy novel following a neglected young boy, Atreyu, and his path to controlling the empire of Fantastica. He has a dangerous and eventful journey to save the universe.
On his trip Artax, the young boy’s beloved horse, is lost in the swamps while traveling. Perhaps we love Artax so much because of how heart wrenching it is to see him succumb to the so called ‘Swamp of Sadness’.
Flash, from Flash (1997)
Flash is the star of the show in this 1997 movie written my Monte Merrick. Conner Strong grows up on a farm dreaming of owning Flash and riding him daily. His father works hard to buy Flash and just when you think everything is happy ever after Conner is forced to join the marines and leave his horse. Flash gets sold to a violent and unruly owner and when Conner returns he does everything to get Flash back home to safety.
Joey from War Horse (2011)
War Horse was first a book set prior to the First World War. When a farmer’s son (Albert) sees a colt being born (Joey) he falls in love. With war pending Joey is sold to the army and both the book and film follow his turbulent travels including being captured by Germans and losing his companion horse Topthorn.
The story ends with the reconciliation of Albert and Joey, both war torn and bearing the scars of battle.
This is a touching book, made into a film and stage production. Perhaps most sad is that it is based on true stories of military horses during World Wars 1 and the terrible hardship and hurt of animals fighting against humans.
You can learn more here: https://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/
Pilgrim in the Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans
A tragic accident leaves a young rider, Grace, injured for life and her horse, Pilgrim, traumatised. Pilgrim’s uncontrollable nature leads vets to suggest he be put to sleep, much to the dismay of his owner who enrols the help of ‘Horse Whisperer’ Tom. A romance blossoms between Tom and Grace and through hard work and kindness Pilgrim finally lets Grace ride him once again.
The film is every girl’s dream. It has a horse, a romance and hunky guys by the dozen. It’s hard to tell who we love more Pilgrim or Tom.
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