Melissa Gilbert made her movie debut in this "National Velvet"-style story of a girl and her horse. With the help of Richard Farnsworth and Michael Schoeffling, Gilbert trains a wild horse, Sylvester, and goes on to win a ... more »show competition.« less
Tim T. (FireflyDaddy) from IRON CITY, TN Reviewed on 8/19/2013...
Why someone would give this movie a middle of the road rating I have no idea. Horses, young Melissa Gilbert and a love hate relationship. it has the thrill of competing the agony of defeat and the will to rise again. It has the rich the poor and the two classes clashing. It even has a monster, a green eyed one called jealousy, sorry no exploding buildings or gunfire.
This is a story about a girl and her horse. Girl loves horse but is too poor to keep horse. Girl has a dream but is to poor to ever see it come true. A girl loves a boy but he is just as poor as her and never going to make it big. It is a story of love and where there is love anything can happen.
Movie Reviews
The one that started it all
Maria Arosemena | Panamá | 04/05/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've always called this movite that...I went to see it in the theater when I was 5, and I fell in love with it. I'm a horse lover since birth, and I knew I wanted to do something with horses, but it was not until I saw this move that I found out what. I started taking classes and became an equestrian, I have my own "sylvester", and like for Charlie, he's my dream come true and one of the loves of my life. I'm 22 now and even 17 years after watching the movie for the first time, the footage of the cross country and the moolight training still make me want to cry. A great movie, specially for "all those little girls in love with horses" like myself. A good family movie too, I still find myself joking with my dad that he never thought that by taking me to the movies that afternoon that he was going to be spending so much on me and my horse some years after."
My Favorite Movie of all time
Holly Anne Balish | MD | 01/08/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Growing up riding, the only thing I ever wanted to do was event in the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day. I never did make it there for eventing but this movie was the next best thing. Me and my horse friends watched this movie endlessly...we still quote it when we see each other (Why don't you quit readin' and come help?). I doubt any movie could ever top this one for me....or any other wannabe eventer."
My fave equestrain movie
Kristen M. Hooker | queen creek, az usa | 02/05/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw this move about 5 years ago for the first time. I bought it as soon as I saw it on DVD. IT is such a great story and it's content as far as the eventing world goes is almost entirely accurate. It really should be rated more of a pg13 b/c of the language and some sexual content. It still is so worth buying."
Good Drama, Good Depiction of 3-Day Eventing
Staci L. Wilson | USA | 01/06/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Melissa Gilbert made her movie debut in this National Velvet-styled story of a determined girl and her jumping horse. Gilbert is a tough on the outside / soft on the inside teenage orphan who trains a worthless cowpony, transforming him into a classy 3-Day Eventer. With the help of her drunken mentor (Richard Farnsworth, the penultimate cowboy) they train the ghostly gray horse by moonlight, and dazzle everyone by daylight when the horse and his rider make it to the top show ranks. There are lots of sudsy subplots, but it just adds to the fun. I loved this movie the first time I saw it, and my horsy friends and I all saw it more than once. Not quite a classic, Sylvester is still a great one for horse lovers and definitely worth a spot in your DVD library.
Staci Layne Wilson
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If you love horses this is a great film!
Kristen M. Hooker | 03/23/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The first time I saw it I fell in love with it. I love horses and the sport so this was great. One of the best horse films ever done and believe me I've seen them all! I also like Melissa Gilbert. I basically grew up watching "Little House On The Prairie." I was first introduced to the film by a friend who is a fellow horse lover. This is not only a movie for horse people. It has the ability to attract all sorts of viewers because it has other elements besides the equines. Cheers to the makers of this fabulous film!"