This glossy reworking of Anna Sewell's much-filmed classic marked the directorial debut of Caroline Thompson, a writer whose successes include Edward Scissorhands and The Addams Family. She's no stranger to animals, either, having co-scripted Homeward Bound, Disney's remake of The Incredible Journey, and that experience is utilised to good effect here - the horses look superb and Beauty even sounds convincing thanks to Alan Cumming's clever voiceover. The largely British cast does its bit, too, with Sean Bean and David Thewlis revealing previously unsuspected soft centres. But the acting honours go to Peter Cook and Eleanor Bron as Lord and Lady Wexmire.

The fates of horses, and the people who own and command them, are revealed as Black Beauty narrates the circle of his life.