The Adventures of Black Beauty

1972 - 1974

The Fugitive

17th September 1972

Episode 1

Dr James Gordon and his two children Vicky and Kevin move from London to the country. On the first day, Vicky brings home an injured horse, seeking her father's help. Everyone can see how the horse was treated. Later, the owner's son wants the stallion back but Gordon refuses. Vicky falls in love with the horse, but the family has no money to buy such a good horse.

The Hostage

24th September 1972

Episode 2

An escaped convict holds Kevin and Black Beauty hostage, and forces Vicky to get food and clothes so he can complete his bid for freedom.

The Pit Pony

1st October 1972

Episode 3

A young miner steals a pony sold for slaughter and with Vicky's helps hide it at home. The owner soon tracks them down and causes trouble for the young pair.

The Horse Thieves

13th October 1972

Episode 4

Vicky, Kevin and Black Beauty encounter two workmen who decide that stealing the horse is a means to a better life. Where they choose to hide Beauty is unfortunately the site of dynamite blasting, leading to a race to rescue the stallion.

Runaway

20th October 1972

Episode 5

While riding Beauty, Vicky and Kevin encounter a threatening recluse at the Abbott farm. Despite being warned to stay away, the children persist in solving the mystery. When a runaway horse endangers young David Abbott, the children get their answer.

Warhorse

27th October 1972

Episode 6

Gordon and Vicky rescue a former army horse whose end seems near. New neighbour Robbie, sheltered by his grandmother, befriends with Vicky and Kevin, and becomes enchanted by the new horse Soldier.

The Horsemen

3rd November 1972

Episode 7

Beauty is at risk from a spoiled young woman used to getting everything that she wants. In order to save Beauty, Vicky enlists the help of a secret society sworn to protect the interests of horses.

The Duel

10th November 1972

Episode 8

Vicky discovers a young man wounded in a duel. She takes him home but the family is soon caught up in a dangerous and treacherous plot that places them all in peril.

The Viking Helmet: Part 1

17th November 1972

Episode 9

Kevin and Robbie find an old helmet with a wing and lose the wing on the way home. An archaeologist from a nearby dig dismisses the helmet as a reproduction of little value, but when Robbie finds the wing, it is promptly stolen.

The Viking Helmet: Part 2

24th November 1972

Episode 10

The thief escapes custody and heads back to the excavation site in search of the missing gold wing. Robbie, believing he knows its location, rides Beauty to the area. While looking, he falls into a mud pit about to cave in.

Day of Reckoning

1st December 1972

Episode 11

Beauty starts showing unusual behaviour and Gordon suspects rabies. After Beauty attacks two men—including the new constable, she is ordered destroyed. But Vicky hides her horse, nothing is as it seems, and Beauty has a good reason for her actions.

Man Trap

8th December 1972

Episode 12

New gamekeeper Ted Hewitt sets out snares and traps on Lord Eddington's estate to protect game and catch poachers. This doesn't sit well with Gordon, who, with Vicky, pays him a visit. While the men talk, Vicky learns Hewitt's wife, Beth, is pregnant and doesn't seem well.

Clown on Horseback

23rd December 1972

Episode 13

Kevin and Robbie befriend an unfunny clown named Andy, while Vicky tries to help Dan tame Mr Collin's horse Thunder. It turns out Andy's skills and comedy are tied to working with horses.

Three Lock to Fortune

6th December 1973

Episode 14

Vicky's friend Colin returns from school and informs her that his grandfather's estate is to be auctioned. The kids learn of a family secret that if discovered, may provide the funds to save Colin's heritage. But they are in a race against time.

Recruiting Sergeant

1st January 1973

Episode 15

Vicky discovers young Tom Honeywell hiding in the church cemetery, on the run after deserting the army. The local recruiter confiscates Beauty until Tom returns, and Kevin is tricked into enlisting in an effort to help. It is up to Albert and Beauty to make things right.

The Debt

20th January 1973

Episode 16

Amy's nephew steals Beauty after she refuses to give him £50 to get out of debt to a nefarious bookie. To rescue Beauty and her nephew, Amy must pawn her jewellery and hurry to the auction to bid on the horse.

The Horse Healer

27th January 1973

Episode 17

A vagabond natural healer is on the run from several people who hold him responsible for regrettable outcomes. Vicky and her father step in to give him temporary sanctuary, which is fortunate when Beauty suffers a severe laceration.

The Witch

3rd February 1973

Episode 18

While riding Beauty, Vicky meets an old woman, who many in town think is a witch. After she scares Kevin when he tries to retrieve a kite from the roof of her cottage, he sets out on Beauty for another try and is injured.

The Ponies

10th February 1973

Episode 19

Gordon has his hands full with a typhoid outbreak, but the children are concerned with an illness claiming Mr Garner's ponies. Albert brings his favorite, Chalky, into contact with Beauty and soon Vicky is trying to do everything she can to save Beauty.

The Ruffians

17th February 1973

Episode 20

When Gordon interrupts a robbery, hooligans take first him, than Vicky captive. Needing his medical skills for one of their mates, they refuse to release them. It"s up to Kevin, Albert and Beauty to rescue them.

Two of a Kind

24th February 1973

Episode 21

Vicky and Kevin encounter siblings on the run from authorities, claiming to be orphans. A reformatory is missing two children and when items begin disappearing from the house, the truth comes out.

Foul Play

Episode 22

When neighbour Lady Faulkner discovers her racing horses are being drugged, their curiosity gets the best of them. After Gordon is attacked and Albert rescues the constable from a well, the pieces start to come together.

Sailor on a Horse

10th March 1973

Episode 23

A secretive man moves into an abandoned cottage which engages Vicky and Albert's curiosity. Seemingly unrelated, the land and Beauty's paddock next to the Gordons is being sold by contentious lawyer Weems. The missing Thackeray heir seems to be key to both incidents.

Wild Justice

17th March 1973

Episode 24

Gordon is arrested for a cottage burning that belonged to Mr Skinner after he criticised its condition. Vicky, Albert, and their friend Jill work to clear his name but need Beauty's help.

The Barge

24th March 1973

Episode 25

Vicky and Beauty befriend Maggie, an older woman living on the river whose son is just out of prison. A series of valuable art thefts occur and Vicky discovers the stolen paintings on Maggie's houseboat. With things looking grim for Albert and his mother, Vicky, her friends, and her horse search for the truth.

Father and Son

31st March 1973

Episode 26

The arrival of entertainers in the village draw the Gordons and Albert into a custody battle. Mr Groat is keeping his son Stan away from his grandfather Woolgar but the boy's deadly illness forced Gordon to implement a solution.

Top Cast

William Lucas•Charlotte Mitchell•Roderick Shaw

Action & Adventure Family Drama

The Adventures of Black Beauty is a British family adventure series broadcast on ITV1. Produced by London Weekend Television, the 52-episode series was inspired by Anna Sewell's novel but featured new characters, including Dr James Gordon and his children, who, in 19th century rural England, take in the horse Black Beauty.

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Production Companies

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Full Cast

William Lucas Image

William Lucas

Dr James Gordon

Charlotte Mitchell Image

Charlotte Mitchell

Amy Winthrop

Roderick Shaw Image

Roderick Shaw

Kevin Gordon

Stacy Dorning

Jenny Gordon

Michael Culver Image

Michael Culver

Squire Armstrong

Full Crew

Anna Sewell

Novel

Sidney Cole

Producer

Paul Knight

Executive Producer

Anthony S. Gruner

Associate Producer

Denis King

Original Music Composer

Kenneth Higgins

Director of Photography

Sheila McIntosh

Casting Director

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