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National Velvet

Play trailer Poster for National Velvet G 1945 2h 5m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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98% Tomatometer 60 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
When Velvet Brown (Elizabeth Taylor), an equine-loving 12-year-old living in rural Sussex, becomes the owner of a rambunctious horse, she decides to train it for England's Grand National race. Aided by former jockey Mi Taylor (Mickey Rooney) and encouraged by her family, the determined Velvet gets her steed, affectionately called "The Pie," ready for the big day. However, a last-minute problem arises with the jockey and an unexpected rider must step in as a replacement.
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National Velvet

National Velvet

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Critics Consensus

National Velvet makes the most of a breakout performance from Elizabeth Taylor, delivering a timeless family-friendly tearjerker that avoids straying into the sentimental.

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Critics Reviews

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Nelson B. Bell Washington Post Mar 26, 2024
If it preaches any lesson in rectitude and the comfort and dignity of character, it does so with friendly warmth and agreeable humor in terms of delightful diversion. All ages of both genders will find it pulsating with palatable pastiming. Go to Full Review Mildred Martin Philadelphia Inquirer Mar 26, 2024
It leaps to thrilling action with the race itself, the most pictorially colorful, heart-stoppingly exciting event of the sort ever staged for the motion picture cameras. Go to Full Review Kate Cameron New York Daily News Mar 26, 2024
The picture is a delightful adaptation in Technicolor of Enid Bagnold's novel. Go to Full Review P.S. Harrison Harrison's Reports Mar 26, 2024
A heart-warming human interest drama, superbly produces in Technicolor... the sort of picture that will appeal to all types of audiences. Go to Full Review William R. Weaver Motion Picture Herald (Exhibitors Herald) Mar 26, 2024
Every sequence in the picture will be loved by all observers who are not at loggerheads with mankind. Go to Full Review Hortense Morton (Screen Scout) San Francisco Examiner Mar 26, 2024
The plot of the film is strong, but it's the ordinary every day living touches that enrich it... the warm relationships between members of the family... the light comedy touches and deeper emotional moments. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Oct 12, 2026 National Velvet is a *4* star Movie (I love Horses and Movies with Horses in them like Secretariat... See more bruce F @bruce999 Aug 15, 2026 movie is filled with charm and emotion. don't miss it. See more Adelay C @27adeco Jul 20, 2026 As an equestrian, some parts of this movie horrify me, but as a cinema fan, you can’t beat it for its heartwarming nature. Luckily, it doesn’t fall too far into sentimentality, keeping it from being a sappy watch. Aged surprisingly well to boot. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 7, 2025 Success in 2 hours and 5 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Russ G @RT78760655 Feb 14, 2025 A "plucky underdog makes good" talesthat launched Miss Taylor's budding career, aided by the always serviceable Mickey R. See more Martin B @Martin49er Dec 13, 2024 Taylor is perfection. Rooney and the others add to the joy of movie-making at its best. No comparison to the goop being served up these days- these are actual people even though the story borders on a fairy-tale. See more Read all reviews
National Velvet

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Cast & Crew

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Clarence Brown

Director

Mickey Rooney

Mi Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor

Velvet Brown

Donald Crisp

Mr. Brown

Anne Revere

Mrs. Brown

Angela Lansbury

Edwina Brown

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National Velvet

National Velvet (1944) National Velvet (1944) National Velvet (1944) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When Velvet Brown (Elizabeth Taylor), an equine-loving 12-year-old living in rural Sussex, becomes the owner of a rambunctious horse, she decides to train it for England's Grand National race. Aided by former jockey Mi Taylor (Mickey Rooney) and encouraged by her family, the determined Velvet gets her steed, affectionately called "The Pie," ready for the big day. However, a last-minute problem arises with the jockey and an unexpected rider must step in as a replacement.
Director
Clarence Brown
Producer
Pandro S. Berman
Screenwriter
Theodore Reeves, Helen Deutsch
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Rating
G
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 26, 1945, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 15, 2008
Runtime
2h 5m
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