The Adventures of Black Beauty
Black Beauty is a pure black, thoroughbred horse in late 19th Century rural England who is adopted into the household of James Gordon, a local doctor and widower, and befriended by his daughter Vicky, son Kevin, and their friends Albert and Robbie.
Jenny returns from school and immediately angers the new neighor Armstrong by spoiling his fox hunt. A scruffy waif called Ned arrives at the Gordon's house and claims to be Amy's nephew. He refuses to follow the simplest of rules and tensions escalate with Armstrong.
Ned's behavior creates tension in the Gordon household and when items start disappearing, he is suspected. An older man Simey followed Ned from London and is threatening him to cooperate. It's up to Black Beauty and the children to help Ned.
Ned is caught in a lie by Dr. Gordon and decides to run away, encountering a drifter mistreating a circus pony. After Ned intervenes, the pony adopts him, leading to the man Rundle accusing him of theft. The misunderstandings escalate but are cleared up after Ned becomes a hero rescuing Squire Armstrong's niece.
Briggs and his family are being evicted from one of the squire's cottages after his wife becomes ill. Dr. Gordon and his family become involved after Black Beauty is used in an escape while Jenny insists the Squire see the conditions his tenants live in.
Ned ignores Dr. Gordon's warning about keeping Jonah the pony away from yew leaves, which could poison him. When Jonah does indeed become sick, Dr. Gordon cannot leave John Danby's ailing wife, so it is up to Jenny, Ned, and Black Beauty to save the pony's life.
After breaking his leg, Dr Gordon has to enlist the assistance of a new young doctor to carry on his duties. However, things do not go well as the new doctor treats Beauty cruelly and refuses to assist an elderly patient.
Mr. Joskins is selling quack remedies and Dr. Gordon intervenes after they make several of his patients ill. To get revenge Joskins tampers with Beauty's girth strap which injures Kevin while he is riding. Albert intially blames saddle maker Surtees but ultimately discovers the true villain.
While coming home late evening, Jenny and Ned catch glimpses of a mysterious figure in the shadows. Squire Armstrong again warns the Gordon household to stay away from his property but the children persist in investigating. A legend of an ancient treasure plays a part in the puzzle.
During a storm Squire Armstrong believes he was attacked by Black Beauty and promises if it happens again, Beauty will be destroyed. Jenny, Kevin, and Ned try to keep the horse contained but Beauty has a equine friend she must get to.
Charles Armstrong, the squire's nephew, arrives for a visit and soon quarrels with Albert and Ned. The boys are warned away from the sheep, who are about to lamb but one of them chooses not to during a race. Among the consequences is a struggle where Albert and Charles end up at the bottom of mine shaft.
There's been a drought causing a shortage of oats for Black Beauty. Ned works at the squire's stable to earn money for Aunt Amy's present, where he learns Potter is stealing oats and selling them secretly. Ned is not believed and Jenny is shut in a grain bin when they try to expose him. Beauty must come to the rescue.
Dr. Gordon and Black Beauty head to the quarry after a blast goes wrong and men are injured. Lawson is fired by the squire for negligence and in revenge he steals cash and horses, including Beauty. Beauty escapes, alerting Jenny and Kevin, who endanger themselves trying to stop Lawson.
Mr. Duncan, an old acquaintance of Dr. Gordon, asks for a letter of recommendation and is refused. Duncan vows revenge and hypnotizes Jenny to fear Black Beauty. Everyone is mystified until Albert starts to learn the truth.
Simey returns, seeking retribution on the Gordons for his time in prison. With his cohort Brit, they trick Ned, taking him and Black Beauty captive. Simey tries to sell Beauty to first Waggs, than at a market giving Ned a chance to escape.
Ned returns to the Gordons, having escaped from his abduction, but the constable doubts his story. Simey sells Beauty to Waggs but he escapes, attempting to return home. Beauty arrives at the Jones farm and is adopted by the young Rosie, who renames the horse Mike. Kevin, Ned and Jenny keep hoping for Black Beauty's return.
Squire Armstrong inherited a religious Indian idol from his grandfather and is outraged when it's stolen. Rana, a visitor to the community, is befriended by Jenny and Ned. He appears to have ties to the missing statue and Squire decides to act on his suspicions.
Ned spends his time playing circus with Jonah instead of doing chores, angering Dr. Gordon. Ned decides to run away when Alf and Wilt, two circus journeymen, ride through but they con him out of Jonah. Ned and the doctor need Black Beauty's help to get the pony back.
Albert takes Black Beauty for a run against Dr. Gordon's wishes and he forbids Kevin and Albert from riding the horse without permission. The boys have a falling out and Albert heads to the Grainger farm where he presents himself as an experienced trainer. He is tested when he gets on a dangerous stallion.
T. Otis Waygood and Dolly arrive in the village and Dolly, over Jenny's objections, borrows Beauty for a fast gallop. The squire is intrigued and sets up a match race between Jenny and Dolly. Ned recognizes the shady Waygood from his days in London and wonders what he's up to.
Paperwork is discovered revealing Black Beauty doesn't belong to the Gordons. The lawyer Crevache refuses to listen to reason so Jenny takes off with Beauty to keep him from being taken. In the end Black Beauty will decide who he should be with.
There are new inhabitants in the Eglinton manor with Kevin and Albert coming upon a young Cecily running away from her uncle. Joshua Eglinton claims to Dr. Gordon his niece has a nervous disposition and needs to be kept alone, but Kevin disobeys his father to rescue her. Albert dresses as Cecily allowing Kevin and Black Beauty time to save the young lady from her relative's nefarious intentions.
Ned is spending time with George downing trees while Jenny is excited about a party invite from Frances Bazely. Dr. Gordon asks Ned to escort Jenny but right before George is hurt by a fallen tree. Ned needs help from Beauty and Jenny to help his injured friend.
Kevin and Albert enjoy listening to the tales of Corporal Donovan, who claims to have been in the Light Brigade but Albert has his doubts. When men claiming to be the squire's employees evict Donovan, the boys come to his aid and with Beauty's help uncover stolen goods.
Dr. Gordon and a syndicate of farmers plan to buy Parsons field as a refuge for old horses, but Kevin and Albert stumble across a dastardly plan to foil their good intentions.
Dr. Gordon and Amy visit London for the day leaving Jenny to look after the things. The boys however have other ideas about who is in charge . Albert gallops off to Maybury Fair and loses not olny his money but Beauty as well.
Mr. Coomb's dog is injured in one of the squire's traps and the older man doesn't know how he will watch his sheep. Dr. Gordon volunteers Kevin and Albert, who do their best but the sheep start mysteriously disappearing. Albert uncovers a rustling operation but needs Beauty's help to prove it.
Dr. James Gordon and his two children Vicky and Kevin move from London to the country. On the first day Vicky finds a hurt horse and takes it with her. She asks her father for help and he looks after the horse. Everyone can see, that the horse was treated. Later the son of the owner wants the stallion back. Dr. Gorden says no, and the young man moves. Vicky fells in love with the horse, but the family has no money to buy such a good horse.
An escaped convict holds Kevin and Black Beauty hostage and forces Vicky to get food and clothes so he can complete his bid for freedom.
A young miner steals a pony sold for slaughter and with Vicky's help hides it at Dr. Gordon's. The owner soon finds the pony and makes trouble for the young pair.
Vicky, Kevin, and Black Beauty encounter two workmen who decide that stealing the horse is a way to a better life. Where they choose to hide Beauty is unfortunately the site of some dynamite blasting, leading to a race to rescue the him.
While riding Black Beauty, Vicky and Kevin encounter a threatening recluse at the Abbott farm. Despite being warned by everyone to stay away, the children persist in trying to solve the mystery. When a runaway horse endangers young David Abbott, the children get their answer.
Dr. Gordon and Vicky rescue a former army horse whose end seems near. Robbie, over protected by his grandmother, becomes friends with the Gordon children after moving nearby. Robbie becomes enchanted by the new horse Soldier.
Beauty is at risk from a spoiled young woman who is used to getting everything that she wants. In order to save Beauty, Vicky enlists the help of a secret society sworn to protect the interests of horses.
Vicky discovers a young man, wounded in a duel. She takes him back to Dr. Gordon but the family is soon caught up in a dangerous and treacherous plot that places them all in peril.
Kevin and Robbie find an old helmet with a wing and lose the wing on the way home. An archaeologist from a nearby dig dismisses the helmet as a reproduction of little value, but when Robbie finds the wing it is promptly stolen. Later the thief is caught trying to steal the helmet, but the wing is nowhere to be found.
Dykes, the thief, escapes custody and heads back to the excavation site to look for the missing gold wing. Robbie also thinks he knows where it is and rides Black Beauty to the area. While looking he falls into a mud pit that is about to cave in. Beauty goes for help.
Black Beauty starts showing unusual behavior and Dr. Gordon suspects rabies. After Beauty attacks two men including the new constable, she is ordered destroyed. But Vicky hides her horse, nothing is as it seems and Black Beauty had a good reason for her behavior.
New gamekeeper Ted Hewitt sets out snares and traps on Lord Eddington's estate to protect game and catch poachers. This doesn't sit well with Dr. Gordon, who, with daughter Vicky, pays him a visit. While the men talk, Vicky learns the man's wife, Beth, is pregnant and doesn't seem well. She refuses to take it easy so Vicky visits often to help with her chores. When Beth collapses, Vicky must run for the doctor and gets caught in a snare. Beauty must get help.
Kevin and Robbie become friends with Andy, an unfunny clown while Vicky tries to help Dan tame Mr. Collin's horse Thunder. It turns out Andy's skills and comedy are tied to working with horses.
Vicky's friend Colin returns from school and informs her his grandfather's estate is to be auctioned. The young people learn of a family secret that if discovered, may provide the funds to save Colin's heritage. But they are in a race against time.
Vicky discovers a young Tom Honeywell hiding in the church cemetery, on the run after leaving the army. The local recruiter confiscates Black Beauty until Tom returns and Kevin is tricked into enlisting in an effort to help. It is up to Albert and Black Beauty to make things right.
Amy Winthrop's nephew steals Beauty after his aunt refuses to give him fifty pounds to get out of debt to a bookie who is threatening him. To save Beauty and her nephew, Amy must pawn her jewelry and hurry to the auction to bid on the horse.
A vagabond natural healer is on the run from several people who hold him responsible for regrettable outcomes. Vicky and Dr. Gordon step in to give him temporary sanctuary, which is fortunate when Beauty suffers a severe laceration.
While riding Beauty, Vicky bumps into an old woman out gathering mushrooms who many in town think is a witch. After she scares off Kevin when he tries to retrieve a kite from the roof of her cottage, he sets out on Beauty for another try and is injured, but makes his way to the cottage where the woman takes him in and tends to him.
Dr. Gordon has his hands full with a typhoid outbreak, but the children are concerned with an illness claiming Mr. Garner's ponies. Albert brings his favorite, Chalky, into contact with Black Beauty and soon Vicky is trying to do everything to save Beauty's life.
When Dr. Gordon interrupts a robbery, hooligans take first him, than Vicky captive. Needing his medical skills for one of their mates, they refuse to release them. It is up to Kevin, Albert and Black Beauty to rescue them.
Vicky and Kevin encounter a brother and sister on the run from authorities, claiming to be orphans. A reformatory is missing two children and when items begin disappearing from the house the true story comes out. Vicky and Kevin learn an important life lesson.
When the Gordon's neighbor Lady Faulkner discovers her racing horses are being drugged, their curiosity gets the best of them. After Dr. Gordon is attacked and Albert rescues the constable from a well, the pieces start to come together. But it's Black Beauty who delivers the decisive moment.
A secretive man moves into an abandoned cottage which engages Vicky and Albert's curiosity. Seemingly unrelated, the land and Beauty's paddock next to the Gordon family is being sold by contentious lawyer Weems. The missing Thackeray heir seems to be key to both incidents.
Dr. Gordon is arrested for a cottage burning that belonged to Mr. Skinner after he criticized it's condition. Vicky, Albert, and their friend Jill work to clear his name but need Black Beauty's help. Complicating matters is a mysterious man Duffield and a horse identical to Beauty.
Vicky and Beauty befriend an older woman living on the river whose son Albert is just out if prison. A series of valuable art thefts occur and Vicky discovers the stolen paintings on Maggie's houseboat. With things looking bad for Albert and his mother, Vicky, her friends and her horse search for the truth.
The arrival of entertainers in the village draw the Gordons and Albert into a custody fight. Mr. Groat is keeping his son Stan away from his grandfather Woolgar but the boy's deadly illness causes Dr. Gordon to force a solution.
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| Language | English |
| Release | 1972-09-17 |
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