http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/seabiscuit/ The American Film Co. - Discussion Comments Feed - Seabiscuit en-us Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:02:26 -0500 info@americanfilmco.com http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/seabiscuit/#comment-266 A story that very closely parallels Seabiscuit's during the Depression era is that of boxer James J. Braddock. This is one of my personally favorite stories. To go from the soup lines to the heavyweight boxing champion of the world, all in order to provide for his family is just truly inspiring. James J. Braddock (whose middle name was actually Walter - Joe Gould, Braddock's manager changed it so that it sounded more like famous and great boxers of before) was truly an underdog, much like Seabiscuit was. But these two faced the odds against them, never gave up, and became legends. Their stories greatly exemplified that of America during the Depression. Braddock lost it all in the Depression, but he came back and got back on his feet, sending a message of hope to Americans that the country could do the same. Seabiscuit also showed how the underdog can come out on top. When it comes to films based on actual events, I almost always read the book that the film is based on first. And if it is not on a single book, then I go out and buy a book on the subject and read it before I see the movie. This way, I can tell fact from "artistic license"/"liberties" that are taken by the filmmakers. Fri, 28 Jan 2011 07:01:51 -0500 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/seabiscuit/#comment-266 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/seabiscuit/#comment-200 Though it can't go without saying that in spite of the wishy-washy actual credit given to the book (as being "suggested by"), the film is pretty arrogant in its marketing statement that it's "The Impossible True Story" -- a glaring contradiction. And then on the web site, "Based on the remarkable true story, “Secretariat” chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner." That said, a much kinder and more forgiving treatment of the film's "history" comes in the Washinton Post -- in which the writer basically prints a thank you letter to the studio for bringing whatever its version of a "true" story of Secretariat to the big screen. Hmmm. Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:10:12 -0400 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/seabiscuit/#comment-200 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/seabiscuit/#comment-199 Can we discuss Disney's SECRETARIAT here? It should probably have it's own discussion, but to start things off, let me just say the film is not very good history -- which the filmmakers pretty much admit to when they say the film is "suggested by" the book “Secretariat: The Making of a Champion” by William Nack. I would love to know if "suggested by" (rather than "based on") is what the film rights contract with author stipulated. More likely, either the author raised hell over the inaccuracies or the studio had to subtly confess to film taking all sorts of liberties. I think an interesting hardline historical accuracy report appears in the The Daily Racing Form -- naturally, a publication that's meant to take its reporting on horse racing quite seriously/literally. (See link.) Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:10:06 -0400 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/seabiscuit/#comment-199 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/seabiscuit/#comment-100 Check out what the real Red Pollard looked like. Can you see the resemblance to Tobey Maguire!? At 5'9'', Maguire is actually two inches taller than Red, who was 5'7''. This was considered tall for a jockey. Other jockeys were closer to 5'3''. Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:04:02 -0400 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/seabiscuit/#comment-100 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/seabiscuit/#comment-62 Over 40 horses played "Seabiscuit" in this film! That shows just how special the real horse was! Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:03:06 -0400 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/seabiscuit/#comment-62 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/seabiscuit/#comment-16 The actual filmed footage of Seabiscuit vs. War Admiral - 1938 Match Race (Pimlico Special) Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:03:32 -0500 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/seabiscuit/#comment-16