Films Starring Horses
Information coming soon
My Friend Flicka
Cast:
Roddy Macdowell as Ken McLaughlin
Preston Foster as Rob McLaughlin
Rita Johnson as Nell McLaughlin
Jeff Corey as Tim
James Bell as GusThough a fairly faithful adaptation of Mary O’Hara’s classic, this film turns a simple story, with believable characters, into a saccharine- filled blockbuster. The actors perform well, yet at times there is some very hammy acting, which adds to the falseness of the film’s atmosphere. Roddy Macdowell, for instance, while perhaps looking like Ken McLaughlin, acts too sensitively, and at times his campness and high- voice becomes irritating. The worst aspect, however, is the appearance of the character Hildy - who seemingly fills the gap that the exclusion of the character Howard - for Hildy is a typically cute and precocious child, who pops up at inopportune moments. The rest of the cast are basically good, but uninspiring, although Rob McLaughlin’s actor has a few good points; predictably, the horse cast performs better than any human one, as they steal all the scenes they appear in.
Altogether, the film just does not seem to capture the pathos and essence of the book, but for a couple of hours entertainment, it serves it purpose.
My Friend Flicka at IMDb
Thunderhead
Cast:
Roddy McDowall as Ken McLaughlin
Preston Foster as Rob McLaughlin
Rita Johnson as Nell
James Bell as Gus
Diane Hale as Hildy
Carleton Young as Major Harris
Ralph Sanford as Mr. Sargent
Robert Filmer as Tim
Alan Bride as Dr. Hicks
Again, an adaptation of Mary O’Hara’s work, but this time, the sequel to “...Flicka.” Yet whereas the prequel was true to the novel, this film could only be described as ‘loosely based’ upon it’s corresponding book, - and seemingly for the better - with several plot changes. That’s not to say the screenplay surpasses the text, but this time, it aims for it’s own identity, instead of trying to produce a replica of the book. The same actors return, which is a plus point, and this time around, they have improved, and the horses are wonderful once again - especially the horse who plays Thunderhead.
As mentioned before, there are a few changes in the plot of the film, and several surprises in store for those who have read the books before the film. A picturesque film - hindered admittedly, by the obvious back-drops - and very compelling.Green Grass of Wyoming
Cast:
Robert Arthur as Ken
Charles Coburn as Beaver
Peggy Cummins as Carey Greenway
Geraldine Wall as Nell McLaughlin
Lloyd Nolan as Rob McLaughlin
Robert Adler as Joe
Richard Garrick as Old Timer
Burl Ives as Gus
Charles Tannen as Veterinarian
Will Wright as Jake
While this film may share the same name as Mary O’Hara’s novel, that’s where the resemblance ends, for apart from using the characters’ names, this does not fit-in with the other two films in the series to make a satisfying trilogy. No actors from the previous movies make an appearance, the setting is different, and the plot has changed beyond recognition. The romance between Ken and Carey becomes commonplace, and loses some of the faltering, awkward exploration. Their personalities are altered for the worse, with Carey transformed into a stereotyped woman, and Ken having gained confidence that borders on arrogance. The remainder of the cast are terrible, plunging far beyond what could be described as over- acting. I hate to say this, but even the horses are forced to take part in several unbelievably unrealistic scenes.
A few redeeming features, but for fans of the original books, this will probably disappoint.
The Black Stallion
Cast:
Kelly Reno as Alec Ramsey
Mickey Rooney as Henry Dailey
Teri Garr as Alec's Mother
Clarence Muse as Snoe
Hoyt Axton as Alec's Father
Michael Higgins as Neville
Ed McNamara as Jake
Doghmi Larbi as Arab
The Black Stallion Returns
Cast:
Kelly Reno as Alec Ramsay
Vincent Spano as Raj
Allen Garfield as Kurr
Woody Strode as Meslar
Ferdy Mayne as Abu Ben Ishak
Jodi Thelen as Tabari
Teri Garr as Alec's Mother
Angelo Infanti as Raj's Father
Run Wild, Run Free
Cast:
Mark Lester as Philip Ransome
Gordon Jackson as Mr. Ransome
Fiona Fullerton as Diana
Bernard Miles as Reg
John Mills as The Moorman
Sylvia Syms as Mrs. Ransome
Black Beauty(1994 version)
Cast:
Justin as Black Beauty
Alan Cumming as The voice of Black Beauty
Sean Bean as Farmer Grey
David Thewlis as Jerry Barker
Jim Carter as John Manly
Peter Davison as Squire Gordon
Alun Armstrong as Reuben Smith
John McEnery as Mr. York
Eleanor Bron as Lady Wexmire
Peter Cook as Lord Wexmire
Adrian Ross Magenty as Lord George
Lyndon Davies as Head Groom
Georgina Armstrong as Jessica Gordon
Gemma Paternoster as Molly Gordon
Anthony Walters as Alfred Gordon
Rosalind Ayres as Mistress Gordon
