national velvet tell the story of velvet brown and a young english girl with dream of enter her beloved horse into competition at the prestigious grand national horse race . the film follow her a she train her horse with the aid of a former jockey and the support of her parent . while national velvet be a family film that fact shouldn not deter anyone who typically view such film with derision . the film be indeed one that will appeal to the entire family and not just attention addle youngster . it even manage to land five oscar nomination and hardly a sign of slack off for a general audience . anne revere and in the part of velvet mother and actually win an oscar for her performance . she be indeed excellent in the role but it be 12 year old elizabeth taylor who steal the show . she be a charming presence and exhibit a talent beyond her year . also on board be oscar winner donald crisp a velvet father and mickey rooney a former jockey mi taylor and angela lansbury ( in one of her early film role ) a velvet older sister . the film lustrous technicolor make for an attractive viewing experience while the editing secure the second of the film two oscar . additionally and the film be nominate for it direction ( by clarence brown ) and cinematography and art direction . the score by ten time oscar nominee herbert stothart be also worth mentioning and though it go unnominated . all in all and national velvet be a wonderful family film that deserve a high rating . i realize that the prospect of watch a film about a girl and her horse isn not exactly go to thrill some people but this one be worth take a chance on .