Story of the Most Intiguing and Popular Celebrity Figure of the 1930's in the US was not a Human but a Horse

Rating: 10/10 (21 May 2012)

A four-legged animal who couldn't read and write, couldn't be elected to office, and couldn't speak at press conferences (although he seemed to drink in celebrity like Clark Gable) was quite possibly the most intriguing figure in the United States during the Great Depression. Shirley Temple may have been his only rival. According to Laura Hillenbrand, the author of the book "Seabiscuit" on which this film was based, the race horse Seabiscuit was the most written about individual during his era in terms of how much newspaper real estate was devoted to him. Apparently, President Roosevelt was second. The film in question is a wonderful dramatization/docudrama of possibly the greatest race horse who ever ran.
The film begins unexpectedly like a Ken Burns documentary with the calming yet compelling voice of David McCullough of PBS fame, known for his narration of Burns-PBS' "The Civil War". The film introduces three interesting aspects of American life at the beginning of the 20th century: the rise of the automobile, the obsession with horse racing, and finally the Great Depression. Instead of merely engaging in a chronological history of Seabiscuit and his owner Charles Howard (Jeff Bridges), his trainer Tom Smith (Chris Cooper), and his jokey Red Pollard (Tobey McGuire), the film sets out to establish a context for the story. One of the recurring themes of the story of Seabiscuit is how the horse, at first dismissed as having no racing potential, symbolized hope for a broken down nation, and how he beat the odds at nearly every turn of the race track.
After the historical subtext is established, the film moves between three different stories: the eventual owner Charles Howard who became a successful automobile salesman in the 1920's, Tom Smith, a down-on-his-luck trainer who was regarded as an eccentric by others in the racing world, and Red Pollard who began life in a middle-class family in Canada. Pollard's family would eventually lose almost everything due to the Depression and were forced to part ways with their son when he is offered a job at a race track. Pollard was also a part-time boxer.
The three lives eventually slide into one another, almost offhandedly, along with the devastation of the Depression. When Tom Smith first sees Seabiscuit, he notices something, a rare spirit, an undefinable "attitude". Smith isn't sure what it is, but he believes deep within the horse is something untapped and unappreciated. He then informs Howard that the horse may be worth further exploration.
Seabiscuit was not like his forebears Hard Tack and Man o' War. He was small for a horse, only 15 hands long. Most champion race horses were 17 hands or larger. His rival War Admiral, a second cousin, was a full 18 hands long. He was also thought to be lazy and overfed. And he was a handful for anyone trying to race him. He was thought a failure by his first owner and sold to Charles Howard for $8000, regarded as a low price for a race horse at the time. Smith finds Pollard and eventually, these four interesting and unlikely characters are brought together: Howard, Smith, Pollard and of course Seabiscuit. And then something unexpected and magical begins to occur. After early success, Howard begins to make overtures toward the owner of War Admiral who at first dismisses him. But at some point, he realizes he can't dismiss Howard forever.
One of the great inspirational movies of the early 21st century, and may have won Best Picture for 2003 if it hadn't been up against some tough competition, particularly the Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King whose other two installments had been up for Best Picture in previous years. "Seabiscuit" the film couldn't quite beat 2003's War Admiral, the Lord of the Rings, but the fact is the film is still an absolute triumph. The acting is absolutely on the money, although none of the leading human players were nominated since there was no award for Best Performance by an Animal in a Leading Role. I have seen people who never cared much for horse racing literally stand up and yell "Go Seabiscuit!" when they see this film. Without question, Seabiscuit the horse is the star of the show. All the others are merely supporting players. On a personal note, one of my grandfather's articles is referenced in the original book, describing the enthusiastic return of Seabiscuit to the so-called "Hundred Grander", one of the last races portrayed in the film.