Overview
A young girl’s dream of racing horses leads her on an unforgettable journey of determination and friendship.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- uplifting
- nostalgic
- warm
- family movie night
- rainy day
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a timeless, family-friendly tearjerker elevated by Elizabeth Taylor's breakout performance, Mickey Rooney's charm, and affectionate direction.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Velvet Brown commits herself to training Pie for the Grand National despite the scale of the challenge.
Velvet's passion for Pie drives the central emotional and athletic journey.
The Brown family's quiet countryside home and surrounding equestrian world shape the film's atmosphere.
The Grand National gives the family's hopes and Velvet's personal dream a public competitive form.
Films like National Velvet, and why
The Black Stallion
family-friendly coming-of-age drama centered on an ambitious young protagonist and an animal partnership
Flicka
uplifting children's film combining countryside adventure, horse training, and emotional perseverance
The Secret of Roan Inish
classic family drama with a determined young lead, rural setting, and inspirational competition
Lassie Come Home
warm, nostalgic family entertainment built around human-animal trust and personal aspiration
Movie Details
- Director
- Clarence Brown
- Release Date
- 1945-01-26
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (127)
Cast
- Mickey Rooney
- Donald Crisp
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Anne Revere
- Angela Lansbury
- Jackie 'Butch' Jenkins
- Juanita Quigley
- Reginald Owen
- Norma Varden
- Terry Kilburn
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is National Velvet about?
- A determined English girl and a spirited horse chase an improbable racing dream with help from a wandering young trainer.
- What is National Velvet like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of National Velvet as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is National Velvet violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in National Velvet.
- What did critics think of National Velvet?
- Critics broadly regard it as a timeless, family-friendly tearjerker elevated by Elizabeth Taylor's breakout performance, Mickey Rooney's charm, and affectionate direction.
- Which films are like National Velvet?
- Films with a similar feel include The Black Stallion, Flicka, The Secret of Roan Inish, and Lassie Come Home.
- How long is National Velvet?
- National Velvet runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch National Velvet?
- In United States, National Velvet is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
