‘Seabiscuit’ is based on a true story of an underdog but majestic racing horse that inspired a generation through the 1930s. During the 1930s, the Great Depression crippled the U.S. (and global) economy, causing people to lose their homes, life savings, and hope. The legendary story of Seabiscuit, the thoroughbred horse that takes on the champion horse War Admiral, was one of the shining moments in American sports history that brought people heartwarming hope. I think Seabiscuit’s story resonated so well in the 1930s because it gave people the belief that if a horse (and his jockey, Red) can overcome challenges when given a second chance in life, so can anyone.

The cast includes notables like Tobey Maguire as Seabiscuit’s jockey Red Pollard, Jeff Bridges & Elizabeth Banks as the owners Charles & Marcela Howard, and Chris Cooper as the trainer, Tom. But the real hero was Seabiscuit, who was depicted by ten actor horses. His previous owners said Seabiscuit was too little and too lazy to race, so they primarily used him to help build the confidence of other horses deemed proper for racing. He went years through his prime age being misused and mistreated. However, he was discovered by Howard and Tom when they noticed his fierce nature and the fight in him, even while being used as a failed horse. Howard hired Red as the jockey, whose story had similarities to Seabiscuit, and the two helped each other regain their dignity and spirit. Seabiscuit reached his potential at an older age, which limited the length of his career and which races he was eligible for by rule. All the characters have compelling stories, issues, and challenges they overcome through perseverance and conviction.

Would I recommend this? Yes, I believe it’s an inspiring film of determination and triumph against the odds. There are obvious inconsistencies, such as the fact that both Seabiscuit and ‘War Admiral’ came from the same line of arguably the greatest horse ever in Man O’ War. Both were also the same size. The film intentionally altered both facts to build Seabiscuit up into a much bigger underdog, even though he was one. Seabiscuit simply reached maturity later than normal. Regardless, the director and writers did a great job of bringing Seabiscuit to life. Seabiscuit is an exhilarating ride and a joy to watch.

It wears its sentimental heart firmly on its fetlock.

As the depression era kicks in, Americans were grasping for any sort of inspiration they could get, enter equine supreme, Seabiscuit. Considered broken down, too small and untrainable, Seabiscuit went on to become a bastion of great racehorses and in the process bringing solace to those closest to it.

Back in 2003 upon its initial release, critics were very divided as to the merits of Seabiscuit as a picture. Some were concerned that this adaptation from Laura Hillenbrand's highly thought of novel missed too many crucial elements, others were merely touting the tired old charge of the film purely baiting Oscar (something that is levelled at every film in history about hope and second chances), the more astute critics of the time however lauded it as the delightful and inspiring piece that it is.

It would be churlish of me to not agree that Seabiscuit is laced with sentiment, rookie director Gary Ross barely wastes a chance to tug the heart strings and paint an evocative sequence, but if you have got it in you to accept this true story for its base emotional point, then it is one hell of a wonderful experience. Seabiscuit is not just about the equine beauty of the picture, it's also a fusion of three men's personal wavering, who for one reason or another need the horse for far more important crutches than those provided by financial gain, make no bones about it, Seabiscuit is a very human drama. Knowing how the picture will end never once becomes a problem, because the historical accuracy in the story makes one yearn for that grandiose ending, one to gladden the heart in the way it must have done to thousands upon thousands of Americans back in the depression era day.

Ross wisely chooses to filter in as much realism as he possibly can, archive stills and narration serve as exceptional points of worth to the narrative structure. Then there is the first rate cast to fully form the emotional complexities that Seabiscuit provides. Jeff Bridges, Tobey Maguire (waif like), Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Banks, top American jockey Gary Stevens and a splendidly jaunty William H Macy, all can rightly feel proud of their respective work on this picture. Yet it's with the thundering race sequences that Seabiscuit really triumphs best, magnificent beasts hurtling around the race track are excellently handled by Ross and his cinematographer, John Schwartzman, whilst a nod of approval must go to the sound department's efforts, for this is definitely one to give your sub-woofer a work out.

Seabiscuit was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning none, perhaps the Academy also felt like those critics who thought it was trying too hard for a Golden Statue? But now after the dust has settled some years later, it pays to revisit Seabiscuit and judge it on its own emotional terms, for it's a tremendously well crafted picture that is of course as inspirational as it most assuredly is tender, a fine fine picture indeed. 9/10

***Hope for the broken via a quirky, forsaken race horse***

During the Depression, an undersized, “lazy” horse named Seabiscuit becomes a champion, lifting the spirits of both its team and that of the nation. Jeff Bridges plays the owner, Tobey Maguire the jockey and Chris Cooper the trainer. Valerie Mahaffey is on hand as the owner’s wife.

Based on the real story, “Seabiscuit” (2003) is reminiscent in tone of another timeless historical drama starring Bridges, “Tucker: The Man and His Dream” (1988) by Francis Ford Coppola. I prefer the underrated “Tucker” because it’s snappier and less vague, but “Seabiscuit” ain’t no slouch.

Like the historically-based “Jeremiah Johnson” (1972) the manner of storytelling respects the intelligence of the viewer to sometimes read between the lines. One of the best parts is the build-up to the race with War Admiral and the thrilling race itself. Not knowing the real-life events, a couple of the twists were surprising. The first act, however, seems bogged down by extraneous details about the owner.

The film runs 2 hour, 19 minutes and was shot in California, New York and Kentucky.

GRADE: B