He is born on a farm in the English countryside during the 19th century and remains by his mother's side until he is sent to Birtwick Park to serve Squire Gordon and his family.

However, Beauty also befriends Merrylegs, a perky grey pony who gives rides to the squire's young daughters, Jessica and Molly.

On a stormy night, Beauty is pulling a carriage holding the squire and his caretaker, John Manly, home from town.

When the bridge finally gives way, crashing into the river, John slips and falls in, but manages to hang on to Beauty's bridle.

When the shoe finally falls off, Beauty stumbles and throws Reuben off the saddle, causing both rider and horse to suffer injuries.

Though Beauty dislikes the harshness of London, he nevertheless likes his job as a taxi cab horse and Jerry's kind treatment of him.

One snowy night, Jerry has a dreadful cough that worsens as he's kept waiting for hours outdoors in the freezing weather for his passengers to leave a party.

Beauty realizes that the young man is Joe on recognizing his voice, and though he is hardly able to, he finds the strength and whinnies for his old friend and the two are finally reunited.

[8] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film a mediocre review, objecting to the horse's voiceover: "[I]t plays like a cross between New Age mysticism and anthropomorphism run amok.

"[9] Similarly, Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly found the narration to have "the effect of making a basically charming story go drippy."

"[10] The film's score was written by Danny Elfman and was released on CD and cassette tape through Warner Bros.' Giant Records label.