first and let me say that i find film like shawshank redemption and green mile and and most of spielberg to be absolutely horrid and stomach turning . although and national velvet on the surface would seem to be in the same genre and have what should be cringe worthy moment and i thoroughly enjoy it and laugh and bawl throughout the film . the premise of the plot and a young girl with an unknown horse from a small village enter the grand national be certainly as implausible a could be and but it be the only thing that you have to accept for it to work a a fairy tale or allegory . the character have depth and grow throughout the story . ann revere give an absolutely stunning performance a one of the wise woman ever depict in an american film . her interaction with the good hearted donald crisp be funny and sweet . while liz taylor try a bit too hard to be even cute than margaret obrien ( she succeed btw ) and her passion and love for her horse shine through her face . mickey rooney give a beautifully nuanced performance of the trainer . this be far from a perfect movie . some of the situation and scene be a bit corny and date ( the kid antic and and rooney scene at the track and in the pub for example ) but it doesn not matter . the plot remain true to the character and leave quite a bit unsaid . we do not have unnatural overly dramatic and preachy moment sometimes more be less . the final scene be a great example of this the emotional dialog be leave to the viewer to fill in . strong understated performance and round character and pithy dialog and intelligent and internally consistent storyline . we believe in the character and be move by their story . yup they just do not make them like this any more .