Original subtitles

(tense music)

(horse whinnying)

(man whipping)

(tense music)

- He'll kill that horse.

(horse galloping)

(horse whinnying)

(gate latching)

- Right, let's have the next candidate.

(horse brays)

- No.

No!

Do you want it to catch a chill or worse?

Walk him around.

Cool him down a bit. - Fine.

- Gradual does it.

Come on, okay.

Careful, sir.

He's got spirit.

- I've never been mastered by a horse yet.

(horse whinnying)

(tense music)

(adventurous music)

(tense music)

(horse whinnying)

- Very nice, Amy.

Just the right place.

- You, young man.

- Yes, missus? - Miss not missus.

I'm the housekeeper.

No, never mind.

Look, I want you to tell everyone

that Dr. James Gordon MD is now in practise at your cottage.

- Yes. I'll tell 'em, missus.

But it won't do no good, will it?

- Why not? - You're from London.

You're foreigners.

- Did you hear that?

- It'll be all right, Amy,

once they get to know us.

- To think we left London for this.

No shops, no streets, no people.

- No fogs.

- Nothing but trees and fields of animals.

It's your children I feel sorry for, Doctor.

(mellow music)

(horse braying)

(horse whinnying)

(horse braying)

- Shh. (horse whinnying)

You frightened him.

Stay here now.

Keep quiet.

Stay here, boy.

Don't be afraid.

(horse braying)

You'll be safe with us, boy.

(calm music)

Your poor eye.

(horse braying)

(light knocking)

- Sorry, Mr. Samson.

- Well?

- I've been every place I can think of.

There's no sign of him.

- [Rider] Samson.

Samson.

Who's there?

- [Samson] It's only Alford, uncle.

- Bring him here.

I'm still running the business.

So tell me what's going on.

Hey.

What's going on?

- Is he very sick, father?

- No.

No, a chill.

Just a chill.

Just a chill, I think.

Look, why don't you two run down to the village,

find the local veterinary surgeon

and ask him to call on us as quickly as possible.

- But you can treat him, father.

You don't need anyone.

- Like that horse in London last year.

- Please?

Father, please help him.

- Well, we're strangers here, aren't we?

We don't want to offend anyone, hm?

Go on, off you go.

(mellow music)

Poor old fellow.

(horse braying)

(exciting music)

- Look.

(loud knocking)

- Yeah?

- We've a horse that's sick and lame, too.

- It's a matter of life or death.

Can your husband come quickly, please?

- Well now, young miss,

as to that I doubt if he can come quick or slow.

- Is he out on a call?

- In a manner of speaking, yeah.

He was called himself two year ago.

- [Child] You mean he's dead?

- So they told me at the time.

Been gone two year, he has.

(horse braying)

(gasps)

(horse braying)

- Ask the police.

Someone might have reported seeing the horse.

And ask around the village.

They might have heard something down there.

- Right up.

- Samson.

- What is it now?

If you don't find him,

you'll pay every penny he's worth.

Understand?

And that's nigh on 50 guineas.

(panting)

- Did you find the vet?

- There isn't one.

- I wish I knew more about horses.

I could mend a broken leg,

but this is something quite different.

- Father.

We have complete faith in you.

Haven't we, Kevin?

- Oh yes, of course.

- Utter and complete faith.

- All right.

Let's try.

(excited panting)

(horse braying)

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

- Kevin,

you shall be the first to say grace in our new home.

- Yes, father.

We thank the Lord for the good food

thy has placed before us.

And may we always be mindful--

- The horse.

Don't forget the horse.

- This is grace, not prayers.

- Same thing.

- Children.

- [Kevin] And please let the black horse get better

and stay with us for always.

- Amen.

- [Kevin] And may we be mindful for the needs of others.

Amen.

- [All] Amen.

(utensils clinking)

- Excuse me.

(door creaking)

(intense music)

(screaming)

- [Doctor] When my children found him,

he was utterly exhausted.

- Not surprised.

All of eight miles from here.

He must have galloped all the way.

- I see.

And what frightened him so much?

Who frightened him?

- I don't know.

But what I do know is I'm taking him back with me.

- No, he mustn't.

- [Doctor] He's in no condition to be moved.

- I'll decide that.

You've got no right to keep him here.

- But we've no wish to keep your horse, sir.

But there are other considerations.

- But we do.

We do want to keep him.

- Eavesdropping?

Whatever next?

Now get into the kitchen,

both of you this minute.

- [Samson] Many consideration says

that this horse belongs to me.

- [Doctor] I wouldn't move a cat,

a dog or any other animal in that condition.

- [Samson] Made of mind,

you say you're a doctor of medicine...

- You've come to take him away, haven't you?

- I beg your pardon?

- The horse.

The black horse.

- I reckon so, missy.

I mean that's if he can be moved.

- Will you answer me a question?

- Well, if I can, missy.

- What would it cost to buy the black horse?

- Oh, well that'll be up to Mr. Rider.

- The man in there with my father?

- No, no.

Old Mr. Rider.

That's the one.

- I see.

But what would it cost?

- Well, I'd say about 50 guineas.

- 50 guineas?

No, it's out of the question.

- But your need--

- Quite out of the question.

Let's hear no more about it.

I'm sorry, my darling.

Goodnight.

- [Child] Paoa. - Yes?

- When will they take him?

- Not until the morning,

and not even then if he isn't better.

I'll see to that.

Goodnight.

(sad music)

(horse braying)

(sad music)

- Is he all right, father?

- He's still sleeping.

Which is what you should be doing, young lady.

- Goodnight, Papa.

- Goodnight.

(box jingles)

(groans)

- I'll soon get the place ship shape.

I'll get the rest of the curtains up tomorrow.

Oh, thank you, Amy.

- Children have taken quite a fancy to that animal.

- Mm.

Too much so, I fancy.

- But you'll need to buy a horse, won't you?

- One I can afford.

(rooster calling)

(horse braying)

- I didn't mean to sleep.

I wanted to keep watch.

(groans)

Father.

(horse braying)

Look.

(happy music)

(groans)

- Let me be, let me be.

- [Doctor] Mr. Rider.

- What is it? - Gordon.

Dr. Gordon.

- And who might these be?

- Oh, this is my son, Kevin.

- How do you do, sir?

- And my daughter, Victoria.

- How do you do, sir?

- That will be Mrs. Gordon.

- No, sir, I'm a widower.

This is Amy, Miss Winthrop,

our housekeeper and our friend.

- A widower, aye?

Well, I know what that's like.

- Would you care to come inside?

- Well, the house is untidy as yet.

But you are welcome to a pot of tea.

- No.

Let's do what we come for.

Collect the horse.

What's up with your girl, then?

- She's upset, sir.

About the horse going.

- I see.

And you are not, aye?

You don't care.

- Oh yes, indeed.

I care very much, sir.

As we all do.

I wish we could afford to buy him.

But father says he'll cost too much.

- All right, Kevin, that's enough.

Go and find your sister.

- Very well, father.

Goodbye, sir.

- [Doctor] What are those?

- Me old ticker.

Shall we go?

(horse braying)

(mellow music)

- Look.

(happy music)

You kept him.

You kept him.

- Now wait a minute.

Mr. Rider's being very kind.

He's agreed to leave the horse here until Monday.

- And then?

- Then he goes to the horse fair at Crowley to be sold.

I'm sorry, Vicky.

I did ask,

but I couldn't meet Mr. Rider's price.

- Oh, I wish we weren't so poor.

- Yes, it's a very hard life.

But now, you've got the horse for five days.

So off you go.

Make the most of it.

(happy music)

(church bells ringing)

- Mr. Rider.

(chickens clucking)

- You'll be careful now, won't you?

- As far as you could see,

there was no physical injury?

- No, no, sir.

Looked like one of his attacks to me, sir.

- And did he have his pills with him?

- No, I couldn't see them, sir.

- All right, come on, boy.

We've got to go like the wind.

(adventurous music)

(horse galloping)

- Uncle.

What is it?

(water splashing)

(adventurous music)

(horse trotting)

- Whoa, whoa.

Where is he?

- Through there.

- I'll find him.

You take care of the horse.

He's made it quite well.

(clock ticking)

(horse whinnying)

(slurping)

- Will he be alright?

- I don't know.

Could you bring me some more blankets, please?

(soft music)

(curtain rustling)

- How is he, doctor?

- [Rider] You don't have to whisper, lad.

I'm not an invalid.

And I'm not ready for the church yard yet.

- Well you can thank the black horse.

If he hadn't got me here in time, you'd...

Keep him quiet.

He's to rest today,

and after that he should be as right as rain.

Good day, Mr. Rider.

- Good day, doctor.

And...

thank you.

- [Doctor] You're welcome.

- What should we do today?

- I don't know.

I don't really feel like doing anything.

We could go up to those woods over the hill.

- If you like.

Father.

Come quickly.

- You really mean it, Mr. Rider?

- Of course.

Never say what I don't mean.

- [Kevin] Sorry, sir.

- Thank you, Mr. Rider.

(Grumbles)

Father.

He's ours.

Mr. Rider's given him to us.

- Well, one good turn, I suppose.

Come on.

Time to be off.

- Dr. Gordon.

I don't know how to say it, but--

- [Rider] Don't try, then.

Come on.

- Well.

I suppose he ought to have a name.

Now, let's see.

- Jet, Swift?

- No, they're not right.

- Black Bird.

- Ebony.

- Lightning?

-Hmm.

- Something that describes him.

Well, he's black.

And he's very beautiful.

Black Beauty.

(adventurous music)

(adventurous music)