Laura
Hillenbrand's best-selling nonfiction novel comes to
life with this spectacular big-screen adaptation. Set in
the 1930s, SEABISCUIT weaves its story around three men
who turned a seemingly untamable horse into a bona fide
champion.
Jeff Bridges is Charles Howard, a
thriving entrepreneur who gives horse racing a shot when
his wife leaves him after the death of their son. Chris
Cooper is Tom Smith, a mumbling, sensitive horse trainer
who sees the untapped potential of Seabiscuit hiding
under his flawed outer shell. Tobey Maguire is Red
Pollard, a stubborn, oversized jockey who is determined
to prove to the world that he has what it takes to be a
champion. Together, these men use their individual gifts
to mold Seabiscuit into a national icon, culminating in
a showdown with Triple Crown winner War Admiral. But
when Red breaks his leg riding another horse, Howard
must call in George Woolf (played by real life jockey
Gary Stevens) to keep the dream alive.
In adapting Hillenbrand's celebrated novel,
writer-director Gary Ross condensed many of the book's
characters and events yet his film retains the
inspirational spirit of the source material, resulting
in a crowd-pleasing, feel-good drama that will have
audiences cheering all the while!!
Features/Specifications
Attractive Retail Box
Rated:
PG-13 (MPAA)
Rating Reason:
For Sexual Situations and Violent Sports-Related
Images.
Starring:
Elizabeth Banks, Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, William
H. Macy, Tobey Maguire, Gary Stevens
Directed By:
Gary Ross
Release Information:
Studio: Universal Studios
Theatrical Release Date: July 25,
2003
DVD Release Date: December 16, 2003
Run Time: 141 minutes
Production Company: Universal
Package Type: Keep Case
DVD Features:
Encoding:
Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only).
This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other
countries.
Aspect Ratio(s):
Full Screen (Standard) - 1.33:1
Available Audio Tracks:
English (Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround)
French (Dolby Surround 2.0)
Spanish
Languages: English, French and
Spanish
Available Subtitles: French and Spanish
Closed Captioned:
Yes
Bonus Features:
First up is a Feature Commentary
with Writer/Director Gary Ross and Filmmaker Steven
Soderbergh. This pair, who interact very well
together, discuss the era and history surrounding
the story of Seabiscuit (which really helps in the
appreciation of the film) as well as the filmmaking
narrative decisions. What generally happens is
Soderbergh asks a question or points out an item of
interest, and Ross discusses his thoughts on the
subject, with the occasional interjection by
Soderbergh. This is easily one of the most enjoyable
commentaries produced this year.
Bringing the Legend to Life: The
Making of Seabiscuit is a 15-minute look
at the horses, sets, and costumes used to create the
film. Although this brief featurette amounts to
nothing more than talking heads interlaced with
behind-the-scenes footage, it is informative and
entertaining.
Anatomy of a Movie Moment is
basically Gary Ross’s examination of the scene
featuring the death of Charles Howard’s son.
Through interview footage and film comparisons, Ross
explains his intentions for each shot and how he was
able to make the scene such an impact. What this
short featurette really shows is Ross’s love for
his craft, which is readily evident based on his
enthusiasm for the featured scene.
Seabiscuit: Racing Through
History Featurette, a wonderful historical
perspective of the era. With information on
Seabiscuit, horse racing during the 1930s, and the
hard life of jockeys, this 15 minute history lesson
really grabs your attention.
Also on tap is Photo Finish:
Jeff Bridges on the Set Photographs, which is an
impressive collage of photos the actor (and very
talented photographer) took during the filming of
the movie.
The Longshot: A Special Message
from Buick, a quick history of the car
manufacturer that isn’t quite as commercial as you
would expect.
Promotional Material,
featuring the soundtrack spot
A Universal MasterCard commercial
disguised as entertainment value
