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10 out of 10 people found the following review useful: Not just a film about a horse, 24 November 2003 Author: 3collegegreen from Sacramento, CA
First I read the book by Laura Hillenbrand, then I saw the 2003 film in a theater, and finally I saw this wonderful warm film on DVD titled The Story of Seabiscuit. Being from Ireland, I certainly didn't mind the Barry Fitzzgerald and Shirley Temple intrusion, which does take away from the historical value of the film, but also adds a love story which actually holds the film together.In the latest version, The legendary Seabiscuit does not appear until all the leading characters are introduced. In this film, all the background information comes in the form of dialogue, which flows smoothly from the brogue of Fitzgeralds charming Irish horse trainer, Sean O'Hara. Barry has a way of drawing you into a film, and sets up Shirley Temple's character, his niece, and also holds together the love story, between her and a jockey, played by Lon McCallister.Although some of the real names were changed, Seabiscuit's racing history remained true, and they used the actual black and white footage of the match race with War Admiral, which the 2003 film did not.Considering that this film was made 54 years ago, It holds up very well, with the vibrant color only adding to the film's beauty. Trying to compare these two films, is like comparing apples and oranges. This one is a Hollywood film and the 2003 version is closer to a documentary. Both are well worth seeing, but not comparing.
4 out of 5 people found the following review useful: Plodding horse story is slow getting to the finish..., 13 April 2001 Author: Neil Doyle from U.S.A.
A grown-up Shirley Temple is the only reason for interest in this weak horse story that is certainly not in the league with films like 'National Velvet' or 'My Friend Flicka'. Only interesting aspect is provided by Shirley Temple in one of her last films as a an adult actress, a nurse with bitter feelings about racing due to the death of a brother in the sport. She's pleasant enough, nicely photographed in technicolor and sporting an Irish brogue. Barry Fitzgerald provides a few amusing moments and Lon McCallister is on hand as a jockey who falls for Shirley--but tedium sets in early on and it never quite manages to pick up any steam for what is supposed to be a rousing finish. I caught this one on Turner Classic Movies when they had a tribute to Shirley's birthday and was impressed by her charm and assurance in a basically sub-standard role. Too bad the script didn't provide her and the others with more challenging material. It's a passable film and according to Shirley, did well enough at the box-office at time of release--probably due to her personal popularity.
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful: Everyone should see once, 26 January 2006 Author: Randy Cliff from Canada
Horse racing was part of my life since birth, albeit not so much any more. So these are the kinds of movies I always like. Most important for this movie is, that Barry Fitzgerald always makes me smile, and Shirley Temple is terrific memory for almost everyone.These are the reasons that everyone should be happy to enjoy this movie at least once. However I don't know if I would go out of my way to see this again. It is unfortunate that this movie, like so many of previous decades, was not considerate of the actual history of the event, but chose to create a plot loosely based on a true event. The 2003 version "Seabiscuit" is truly wonderful and is a part of my home collection. This is the primary reason I gave it a vote of 5.The imagery is fun and I like the way the movie edits play together, but it is not likely to be in the top ten for many people. Even so I recommend this for all who enjoy Fitzgerald or Temple, and of course lovers of all horse stories.
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful: Read the book, see the movie., 23 July 2001 Author: Andy (alydar21@hotmail.com) from Indianapolis
Had to see the movie after reading the wonderful bestseller about Seabiscuit. Supposedly uses the real footage of the match race between War Admiral and Seabiscuit. Acting aside, the historic race alone is worth viewing the movie.
4 out of 7 people found the following review useful: A day at the races, 12 June 2005 Author: jotix100 from New York
"The Story of Seabiscuit", which was shown recently on TCM, is a film that is pleasant to sit through, but inferior to the much better "Seabiscuit" that came out on 2003, based on the magnificent book by Laura Hillenbrand and directed by Gary Ross. This 1949 movie was perhaps a vehicle for an adult Shirley Temple. As directed by David Butler, the film has some good moments.The best thing in the movie is the irresistible Barry Fitzgerald. As Shawn O'Hara, he comes to America to work with horses at the Milford Farms. He arrives with his niece, Margaret. Shawn knows a lot about horses and he spots Seabiscuit right away. His love for the horse puts him at odds with George, the head trainer. Since Seabiscuit doesn't show anything at the beginning and Shawn's health seems to deteriorate, Shawn and Margaret decide to go on to California to work with the Howards, a couple that appreciate Shawn's advice.Among the recommendations Shawn tells the Howards, is to buy Seabiscuit from Mr. Milford for the sum of six thousand dollars. After Shawn resumes training the horse, and with the help of Ted Knowles, the jockey, Seabiscuit begins to respond and win. Seabiscuit was a legend in the sport.The story is conventional, but totally watchable by the presence of Barry Fitzgerald. He steals every scene in which he appears. Shirley Temple is not believable with her Irish accent, but she is a sweet figure in the story. Lon McCallister, playing Ted, is fine. Rosemarie DeCamp is an elegant figure who doesn't get much to do.The film doesn't attempt to be anything but a semi documentary about Seabiscuit and its trainer and the relationship between them. Horse race fans will have a good time with the film thanks to Mr. Fitzgerald's contribution.
O dear gawd, 19 December 2009 Author: qatmom from United States
Once upon a time in America, there was a very great Thoroughbred racehorse named Seabiscuit. He ran some remarkable races and is justly recalled as a truly great runner.A few years after Seabiscuit left the track, this incredibly terrible movie was made about him. It has little to do with the life and times of the real Seabiscuit, whose real story is more compelling than this dreadful, saccharine fiction.In the days when this movie was made, a lot of people in Hollywood were involved in racing, so it is hard to understand how NONE of them got racing right on the screen. All of the racing movies from this period are horrible, sentimental, inaccurate, and just plain bizarre. No one has to make up stories to make racing compelling, but Hollywood almost always does make up piles of syrupy manure to go into these films; the recent Seabiscuit is an exception, and got most everything ***right***.The Ruffian movie was a reeker (no, Ruffian was not a short-legged gelding...)and I dread the upcoming Secretariat movie will stink as well.Avoid this movie! It offends racing fans! It offends black Americans! It offends Chinese Americans! You have been warned! I gave the movie 2 stars because of the good condition of the newsreel footage of the real horse in action.
not very good, 5 November 2008 Author: midnighter89 from United States
Although it is a nice, warm, charming story/plot it is a let down considering. The fact that some of the main characters in this version are completely fictional (the O'Haras) bothered me throughout the entire movie.I did love that it had some actual B&W footage of some of Seabiscuit's races. And being a sucker for almost any animal movie (especially horses) I utterly enjoyed all the scenery and all the shots of the horses. The only reason I would watch this again is for that, not for the plot or the actors. But I'm fairly sure that this one is going to collect dust on my DVD shelf.If you are going to watch a movie about Seabiscuit, I advise to see the amazing 2003 version and skip this one.
1 out of 2 people found the following review useful: Vanilla version of a lovely story, 6 May 2003 Author: georgegolembiewski from Chicago, Il.
I loved watching this period piece about the great Seabiscuit. Theopening scene at the railroad station was shockingly racist. This clumsy attempt at humor was offensive to me as an American, but I must remember this was 1949. After this the movie shows some beautiful scenes of Kentucky horse country. The actor Lon MCallister seems awfully big for a jockey, but is a perfect love interest for young Shirley Temple who does a nice job in the role. The scene stealer is of course the inimitable Barry Fitzgerald who gives a predictably colorful performance as the oh so wise horse trainer. All in all a sanitized version of the real Seabiscuit story.
4 out of 8 people found the following review useful: All these years later, we have a new movie about Sea Biscuit. Can't wait!..w, 30 May 2003 Author: bettiem from United States
For its time, it was a nice movie. Shirley Temple was in adulthood even more lovely than as a child. Rosemary DeCamp can't lose, what a great actress.! One can't forget Barry FitGerald. Yes, the race between War Admiral and Seabiscuit used real footage. AND now, all these years later, 2003, we have the thrill of a new movie coming out in July. This time, author Laura Hillenbrand's great book will be produced with her supervision of the film. If the film is as good as the book which is truly a work of great art and literature, far more than a horse book, namely a character study of the horse and the four men who made Seabiscuit a great horse, we will complete the circle and the legend of Seabiscuit. Can't wait.!
2 out of 5 people found the following review useful: Nothing Tops The Original, 3 August 2003 Author: lord woodburry (deanofrpps@aol.com) from The Society NY
It's hard to top the original. the original Seabiscuit was a favorite on the big show, the afternoon movie after school and homework and of course imparted that never-say-die values. its copy the 2003 version tries to use classical story telling techniques but wanders into a short and dry history of the depression.comparing the two versions, they both present tough people who overcome obstacles in their path but both miss the tenacity of Mrs Howard who was the prime motivator of the entire scheme.
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