There's so much joyous frisking that it looks like an extended ad for Lloyds Bank.

This is a gloomy film, briefly enlivened by salty acting, but difficult to warm to, unless you are a horse.

Although already filmed three times in the sound era, Black Beauty has never been put onscreen faithfully or well, a situation partially remedied by this affecting, rather grave rendition of the children's perennial.

It's not exactly on a par with Bresson's Au Hasard Balthazar, but it will have the kids in tears.