The Adventures of Black Beauty Series 1 poster

The Adventures of Black Beauty — Season 1

197226 episodes7.8/10 (4 votes)

About this season

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.

Episodes (26)

The Fugitive
E1

1. The Fugitive

Aired 17 September 1972 • 25 min

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
E2

2. The Hostage

Aired 24 September 1972 • 25 min

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
E3

3. The Pit Pony

7.0

Aired 1 October 1972 • 25 min

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
E4

4. The Horse Thieves

Aired 13 October 1972 • 25 min

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
E5

5. Runaway

7.0

Aired 20 October 1972 • 25 min

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
E6

6. Warhorse

Aired 27 October 1972 • 25 min

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
E7

7. The Horsemen

9.0

Aired 3 November 1972 • 25 min

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.

8
E8

8. The Duel

Aired 10 November 1972 • 25 min

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.

9
E9

9. The Viking Helmet: Part 1

Aired 17 November 1972 • 25 min

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.

10
E10

10. The Viking Helmet: Part 2

Aired 24 November 1972 • 25 min

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
E11

11. Day of Reckoning

Aired 1 December 1972 • 25 min

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
E12

12. Man Trap

Aired 8 December 1972 • 25 min

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.

13
E13

13. Clown on Horseback

Aired 23 December 1972 • 25 min

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
E14

14. Three Lock to Fortune

Aired 6 December 1973 • 25 min

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.

15
E15

15. Recruiting Sergeant

Aired 1 January 1973 • 25 min

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.

16
E16

16. The Debt

Aired 20 January 1973 • 25 min

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.

17
E17

17. The Horse Healer

Aired 27 January 1973 • 25 min

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.

18
E18

18. The Witch

Aired 3 February 1973 • 25 min

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.

19
E19

19. The Ponies

Aired 10 February 1973 • 25 min

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.

20
E20

20. The Ruffians

Aired 17 February 1973 • 25 min

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.

21
E21

21. Two of a Kind

Aired 24 February 1973 • 25 min

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.

22
E22

22. Foul Play

Aired 3 March 1973 • 25 min

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.

23
E23

23. Sailor on a Horse

Aired 10 March 1973 • 25 min

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.

24
E24

24. Wild Justice

Aired 17 March 1973 • 25 min

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.

25
E25

25. The Barge

Aired 24 March 1973 • 25 min

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.

26
E26

26. Father and Son

8.0

Aired 31 March 1973 • 25 min

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.

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