Regalo del destino

Some people are unsure if Gallant Bess is based on a true story or not.

It is. Sort of.

The second half of the movie, when Tex rescues a horse during the war, was based on my grandfather's rescue of Bess while on the Solomon Islands during WWII.

Bess starred as herself in the movie, ie, the horse that was really rescued was the horse in the movie.

Search Wikipedia.org for "Gallant Bess" for the article I am writing regarding the true story.

Glad to see people out there still enjoy this movie! I tease my dad, who's father was Bess' master ("Tex" in the movie) and who rode Bess all the time as a kid, about having cried when he saw the movie for the first time as a kid.

An wonderful 'feel good' family movie that gives equines the proper recognition they deserve being that America came to be what it is because of equines. The actual Bess magnificently portrays the incredible soul that is the heart of a mare! I would go so far as to say that this is an inter-species love story of unparalleled quality. What's equally wonderful is that this movie is now available for purchase on Amazon.com and it's worth EVERY PENNY of it's purchase price. Gather the family, get your popcorn and snacks, sit down and prepare for some genuinely 'wholesome' family entertainment! Oh and MANY thanks to Chris Parker for his recounting of the 'true story' of a beautiful angel of light! If only I could have been blessed to meet Bess in real life. Every day I give thanks for the blessing of a life that is centered around equines...

~"To see her is to love her, And love her forever, For Nature made her what she is." - Robert Burns~

I am a huge Gallant Bess fan from Australia. I haven't seen this movie for 35 years, but still remember it was one of the best movies of all time. I am desperately trying to locate a copy of this movie to keep so if anyone reads this that can help I will be forever in your debt. I too have a daughter that I want so badly to show this movie to, please if anyone can help me, contact me. Thank you to imdb web site for finding me some more info on Gallant Bess.

This is such a great movie. I had a friend contact Bridgestone, (I think that is the name) a company that sometimes is able to put movies on tape for sale. I guess they get permission although I have no idea how it works. But I heard the company couldn't or wouldn't get Gallant Bess taped. Anyway, it finally aired on January 11 on Turner Classic movies and I taped most of it. I missed the credits. But now I have a copy for my daughter. We loved it. It was the first time I had seen it in 40 some years. I was thrilled. I felt like a kid again. I urge anyone that loves a good old horse story to get Turner Classic Movies to release it. Or at least air it more on TV. It is a cool story for Veterans Day or Memorial Day too. Good luck.

I wish that I could remember the title of the book, but I remember checking it out severals times as a kid and reading it cover to cover. The book had actual photos of Bess delivering water to the seabees and her jumping straight off the ground while under attack by Japanese. It showed her retired in a lush pasture in KY. I enjoyed the movie as much as the book!!

It is the best horse story out there.