Popular Horse Movies
If you like horses, you probably love horse movies. Here's a list of favorite horse movies. If your favorite isn't here, please add it in!
My sister and I used to watch this movie repeatedly, often several times on the same day. There is some really great riding in this movie and props to the horse handlers that kept it 'real' yet safe. Young Jim Craig, after losing his father, must go into the 'low country' and in trying to prove himself ends up getting himself in hot water. Tom Burlinson, who plays the lead role, does many of his own stunts in this one, including the descent down a steep bank in pursuit of the brumby herd that has swept away his new employer's valuable young stallion and his own mare Bess.
Get out the box of tissues or maybe even a nice absorbent towel because the 1983 movie Phar Lap is a tear-jerker. Phar Lap, foaled in 1926, was known as Australia's “wonder horse”. Phar Lap's spectacular racing career ended in mysterious circumstances in 1932 although recent research may have disproved any conspiracies. His 'strapper' an Australian word for stable boy or groom is played by Tom Burlinson who also proved he can sit a horse in “The Man from Snowy”.
Miracle of the White Stallions is a 1963 Disney Movie based on the true story of how Lipizzaner stallions of the Spanish Riding School in Austria were saved through the efforts of U.S. General Patton during WW2. Col. Alois Podhajsky, who was then director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, was a Olympic medal-winner in dressage, riding instructor and his books on dressage such as The Complete Training of Horse and Rider"-->and My Horses, My Teachers are still regarded as classic writings on the art of riding and dressage.
If you like horse stories that make you cry, keep your tissues out for this one. Although the movie was remade in 2003, the 1943 version, My Friend Flicka is much better in my opinion. Based on the book by Mary O'Hara, My Friend Flicka is the story of a boy's love for his horse.
Secretariat is based on the true story of the racing career of the long shot, temperamental stallion known as 'Big Red'. Owner Penny Cherney is able to save her father's racing stable after winning a breeding to Bold Ruler, one of the most important sires of his time. The result of the breeding was a chestnut colt born in spring of 1970. The story traces his racing career, from his first loss to his retirement, with a winning streak that captured the attention of horse lovers during the mid 1970s. In a press release sent prior to filming, producers sent out a casting call for horses to play Secretariat, and absolute body doubles were not required. “...applicants need not feel that they must have an identical looking horse to be considered. We can do wonders with equine makeup for the white facial markings and the three white socks.”
Another racing movie, Dreamer is the movie based on the career of Mariah's Storm, a race horse who suffered a serious injury, but through the dedication of her owners, veterinarians and trainers, returned to win several important races. The races Soñador wins in the movie are not identical to those won by Mariah's Storm but the movie is entertaining if a bit maudlin at times. Dakota Fanning plays Cale Crane, the youngster whose dedication inspires her father to keep faith in Soñador's potential.
There's some controversy behind the true story of Hidalgo that led to another very interesting documentary. "-->But, this version of the story stars Viggo Mortenson as Frank Hopkins who is invited to race his Mustang across the Arabian desert in the 1890s. Those familiar with distance riding will no doubt guffaw at many of the scenes in which horse and rider tackle the rough environment. But the movie is fun and entertaining, if not historically accurate or a realistic portrayal of what riders must do to bring their horses safely through a long distance ride. Make sure your 'suspension of disbelief' button is turned on.
This is the movie my daughter watched repeatedly when she was younger and probably what spawned her love of eventing and cross country jumping. Sylvester is an unruly wild horse, and his young owner, trying to raise two brothers on her own, must prove herself and earn money to survive. With the help of an ex-cavalry rider, she turns him into an eventer and heads for Grand Prix level competition. Once the horse has proved itself, her plan is to sell him and make money. If you ignore the fact that you can't just load up your rusty horse trailer and head for this level of competition on a whim, and you let your eyes go blurry at some of the poor equitation, this is an entertaining story. Some of the scenes might not be suitable for young children.
Based on the children's novel of the same name, War Horse is a tale of a horse during WW1 Britain. The horse is bought by a youngster named Albert when he's sent to buy a plough horse at an auction. Although the horse, named Joey, is deemed unsuitable, Albert trains him and eventually proves his worth by tilling a difficult rocky field. The crop fails anyway and Joey must be sold. He is bought by a young officer, and eventually is used as a cavalry horse during WW1. In the end Joey and Albert are happily reunited after surviving horrific events during the war. Although I wasn’t crazy about the story line, I found the scenery, set design and costumes of this movie wonderful. The film won numerous awards such as American Film Institute Best Picture of the Year and Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography to name a few.
Released in 1972, this movie made me wish for a Morgan horse and shortly thereafter, my mother bought me a Welsh mare in foal to a Morgan stallion named Skipper Boy. The foal, who I named Caramel, was my first experience in training a horse (under the careful tutelage of my mother). Justin Morgan Had a Horse is the story of the very first Morgan, also known as “Figure”, owned by the school teacher Justin Morgan and is based on the book by Marguerite Henry.
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1. The Man From Snowy River (and return to Snowy River)
My sister and I used to watch this movie repeatedly, often several times on the same day. There is some really great riding in this movie and props to the horse handlers that kept it 'real' yet safe. Young Jim Craig, after losing his father, must go into the 'low country' and in trying to prove himself ends up getting himself in hot water. Tom Burlinson, who plays the lead role, does many of his own stunts in this one, including the descent down a steep bank in pursuit of the brumby herd that has swept away his new employer's valuable young stallion and his own mare Bess.
2. Phar Lap
Get out the box of tissues or maybe even a nice absorbent towel because the 1983 movie Phar Lap is a tear-jerker. Phar Lap, foaled in 1926, was known as Australia's “wonder horse”. Phar Lap's spectacular racing career ended in mysterious circumstances in 1932 although recent research may have disproved any conspiracies. His 'strapper' an Australian word for stable boy or groom is played by Tom Burlinson who also proved he can sit a horse in “The Man from Snowy”.
3. Miracle of the White Stallions
Miracle of the White Stallions is a 1963 Disney Movie based on the true story of how Lipizzaner stallions of the Spanish Riding School in Austria were saved through the efforts of U.S. General Patton during WW2. Col. Alois Podhajsky, who was then director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, was a Olympic medal-winner in dressage, riding instructor and his books on dressage such as The Complete Training of Horse and Rider"-->and My Horses, My Teachers are still regarded as classic writings on the art of riding and dressage.
4. Flicka and My Friend Flicka
If you like horse stories that make you cry, keep your tissues out for this one. Although the movie was remade in 2003, the 1943 version, My Friend Flicka is much better in my opinion. Based on the book by Mary O'Hara, My Friend Flicka is the story of a boy's love for his horse.
5. Secretariat
Secretariat is based on the true story of the racing career of the long shot, temperamental stallion known as 'Big Red'. Owner Penny Cherney is able to save her father's racing stable after winning a breeding to Bold Ruler, one of the most important sires of his time. The result of the breeding was a chestnut colt born in spring of 1970. The story traces his racing career, from his first loss to his retirement, with a winning streak that captured the attention of horse lovers during the mid 1970s. In a press release sent prior to filming, producers sent out a casting call for horses to play Secretariat, and absolute body doubles were not required. “...applicants need not feel that they must have an identical looking horse to be considered. We can do wonders with equine makeup for the white facial markings and the three white socks.”
6. Dreamer
Another racing movie, Dreamer is the movie based on the career of Mariah's Storm, a race horse who suffered a serious injury, but through the dedication of her owners, veterinarians and trainers, returned to win several important races. The races Soñador wins in the movie are not identical to those won by Mariah's Storm but the movie is entertaining if a bit maudlin at times. Dakota Fanning plays Cale Crane, the youngster whose dedication inspires her father to keep faith in Soñador's potential.
7. Hidalgo
There's some controversy behind the true story of Hidalgo that led to another very interesting documentary. "-->But, this version of the story stars Viggo Mortenson as Frank Hopkins who is invited to race his Mustang across the Arabian desert in the 1890s. Those familiar with distance riding will no doubt guffaw at many of the scenes in which horse and rider tackle the rough environment. But the movie is fun and entertaining, if not historically accurate or a realistic portrayal of what riders must do to bring their horses safely through a long distance ride. Make sure your 'suspension of disbelief' button is turned on.
8. Sylvester
This is the movie my daughter watched repeatedly when she was younger and probably what spawned her love of eventing and cross country jumping. Sylvester is an unruly wild horse, and his young owner, trying to raise two brothers on her own, must prove herself and earn money to survive. With the help of an ex-cavalry rider, she turns him into an eventer and heads for Grand Prix level competition. Once the horse has proved itself, her plan is to sell him and make money. If you ignore the fact that you can't just load up your rusty horse trailer and head for this level of competition on a whim, and you let your eyes go blurry at some of the poor equitation, this is an entertaining story. Some of the scenes might not be suitable for young children.
9. War Horse
Based on the children's novel of the same name, War Horse is a tale of a horse during WW1 Britain. The horse is bought by a youngster named Albert when he's sent to buy a plough horse at an auction. Although the horse, named Joey, is deemed unsuitable, Albert trains him and eventually proves his worth by tilling a difficult rocky field. The crop fails anyway and Joey must be sold. He is bought by a young officer, and eventually is used as a cavalry horse during WW1. In the end Joey and Albert are happily reunited after surviving horrific events during the war. Although I wasn’t crazy about the story line, I found the scenery, set design and costumes of this movie wonderful. The film won numerous awards such as American Film Institute Best Picture of the Year and Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography to name a few.
10. Justin Morgan Had a Horse
Released in 1972, this movie made me wish for a Morgan horse and shortly thereafter, my mother bought me a Welsh mare in foal to a Morgan stallion named Skipper Boy. The foal, who I named Caramel, was my first experience in training a horse (under the careful tutelage of my mother). Justin Morgan Had a Horse is the story of the very first Morgan, also known as “Figure”, owned by the school teacher Justin Morgan and is based on the book by Marguerite Henry.
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