National Velvet

Director: Clarence Brown Clarence Brown

Overview

"The lovely, timeless family film National Velvet gets a good, no-frills DVD release from Warner Home Video. Practically identical to the MGM DVD edition, National Velvet's print has been remastered and the 1940s color cinematography looks great. The print comes in the standard screen format that echoes the original theatrical aspect ratio perfectly. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Monophonic soundtrack is well balanced and clean. It would've been nice for Warner's to add a DVD extra or two, but there is no faulting this budget-priced release on technical merits."

Product Details

Release Date:	07/11/2000
UPC:	0012569506329
Original Release:	1944
Rating:	G
Source:	STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Full Frame]
Sound:	[monaural, Dolby Digital]
Language:	English
Time:	2:04:00
Sales rank:	19,658

Special Features

Interactive menus; Theatrical trailer; Scene access; Languages: English & Français; Subtitles: English, Français & Español

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Elizabeth Taylor	Velvet Brown,Schoolboy
Mickey Rooney	Mi Taylor
Donald Crisp	Mr. Brown
Anne Revere	Mrs. Brown
Angela Lansbury	Edwina Brown
Jackie 'Butch' Jenkins	Donald Brown,Donald Brown,Actor
Terry Kilburn	Ted
Reginald Owen	Farmer Ede
Juanita Quigley	Malvolia Brown
Alec Craig	Tim
Eugene Loring	Mr. Taski
Norma Varden	Miss Sims
Arthur Shields	Mr. Hallam
Dennis Hoey	Mr. Greenford
Aubrey Mather	Entry Official
Frederic Worlock	Stewart
Arthur Treacher	Man With Umbrella
Harry Allen	Van Driver,Schoolgirl
Billy Bevan	Constable
Barry Macollum	Townsman
Matthew Boulton	Entry Clerk
Colin Campbell	Cockney
Frank Benson	Englishman
Wally Cassell	Jockey
Alec Harford	Valet
Gerald Oliver Smith	Cameraman
Moyna MacGill	Woman
Donald Curtis	American
Rene Austin	Schoolgirl,Reporter
Jane Isbell	Schoolgirl
Virginia McDowall	Schoolgirl
Gail Peyton	Schoolgirl
Iris Kirskey	Schoolgirl
Bertha Stinchfield	Schoolgirl
Felicity Bilbrook	Schoolgirl
Rhoda Williams	Schoolgirl
Beverly Billman	Schoolgirl
Stephen Bowson	Schoolboy
Harold de Becker Jr.	Schoolboy
Richard Haydel	Schoolboy
Murray Coombs	Schoolboy
Gordon Richards	Doctor
Rose Langdon	Booky
William Norton Bailey	Booky
Eric Wilton	English Bookie
Douglas Francis	Track Official
George Kirby	Villager
Leyland Hodgson	Pressman
Leonard Carey	Pressman
Olaf Hytten	Villager
Juanita Brown	Actor
Herbert Stothart	Composer

Technical Credits

Helen Deutsch

Theodore Reeves

Clarence Brown	Director
Helen Deutsch	Screenwriter
Theodore Reeves	Screenwriter
Pandro S. Berman	Producer
Warren Newcombe	Special Effects

Editorial Reviews

One of the most beloved children's classics ever filmed, National Velvet holds up almost as well today as it did in 1944. True, modern audiences are much more familiar with elements of the story now, and they may find a bit of the plotting somewhat farfetched; but most audiences will be caught up in the sheer excitement and good will of Velvet that they will gladly overlook any shortcomings. There's so much to praise in Velvet that it's hard to know where to begin -- or would be, if it weren't for the fact that the climactic event remains the best horse racing sequence ever put on film. It's gripping, spine tingling and just plain fun, a sequence that will have viewers on the edge of their seats and ready to stand and cheer. Credit for this spectacular segment is due equally to director Clarence Brown, cinematographer Leonard Smith, editor Robert J. Kern and composer Herbert Stothart, all of whom work together seamlessly. Brown's work throughout is nearly flawless, drawing forth sterling performances from his cast, capturing every highlight of the screenplay and telling the story with keen attention to pacing and cinematic detail. Elizabeth Taylor is sheer magic as Velvet, Mickey Rooney gives a wonderful, understated performance, Angela Lansbury is lovely and Anne Revere makes the absolute most of every moment. Then there's Pi, one of the most beautiful creatures ever put on the screen, a force of nature that is irresistible. Velvet is a dream of a movie -- one from which you won't want to awaken.