I played a little hooky from work today, as my children were off from school for Columbus Day. I took them to see Disney's film "Secretariat," which I found moving for much the same reasons that I did Lawrence Scanlan's "The Horse That God Built." It is a story about other-worldly greatness, about the horse-human bond, about perfection that occurs in a span of 2:24.
This movie is "suggested" by Bill Nack's book on the great horse, which, unbelievably to me, I have not read. Even though there are a couple of things I might have done differently, were I directing it - such as spending a whole lot more time with Secretariat's groom, jockey, and trainer, and going for a little less schmaltz and more historical accuracy - it is still a wonderful film for the fact that it presents these moments of grace: the love of horses - caring for them, contemplating their eyes, watching them in a full-out run - just might be a connection to the soul of a happy world, one that is beyond words.
over 1 year ago
JP Fanshawe
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I'm planning on seeing it
I’m hoping it’s as good as Seabiscuit was(which I thought was an excellent film). Sorta working in Hollywood as i do (and being an aspiring writer), I don’t expect absolute historical accuracy in these kinds of movies. If it’s mostly (85% or so) accurate to get the point across and is well told, that’s all one can really expect. Getting any movie made in this town is hard.
Seabiscuit Is One Of My Favorite Films Ever....
…for its inspired use of both documentary and narrative techniques, and because it so damn well told. (Its director, Gary Ross, also made another film I love: Pleasantville) I don’t think this film is as good as Seabiscuit, if only because it tries so hard to tug at the heart-strings, and thanks to the subject, it is very effective at doing so.
There has to be a human protagonist, and here, it is Penny Chenery, and Diane Lane is great in the roll. I actually didn’t see Lane after a few minutes, which speaks to Lane’s characterization of Chenery. But they are at a loss for a “bad guy” in the film, and they try to make it Sham’s owner, which I think was a mistake…
There are little inaccuracies, like the presence of Chenery and Lucien Lauren at his foaling, and the complete absence of Howard Gregory who was a big part of the Meadow team and the person that actually called Chenery to tell her the horse had been born.
I too, am a writer and director for a couple of months a year (it is a long story)…so, once again, I am struck by how similar people that visit this blog seem to be!
Now is the time boys to make a big noise.
No matter what the people say,
For there is naught to fear, the gang's all here,
So hail West Virginia, hail.
by JP Fanshawe on Oct 12, 2010 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I Really Should Proof More....
and when I type roll. I mean role…I crack myself up….
Another inaccuracy, had Lucien Lauren’s son Roger not left a couple of months before to train privately for Ogden Phipps, Lucien wouldn’t have trained Secretariat. In lieu of that, we get a scene between Chenery and Lucien that probably never happened, but no mind….those kinds of things are necessary in fiction…
Now is the time boys to make a big noise.
No matter what the people say,
For there is naught to fear, the gang's all here,
So hail West Virginia, hail.
by JP Fanshawe on Oct 12, 2010 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Also a huge Pleasantville fan
One of the best films of 1998 no question.
I figured they’d have to play up Sham as a heavy – otherwise what would be the villain?
Thanks for the great write-up
I haven’t had a chance to go see it yet but looking forward to it. How often do we get a movie about horse racing? Not very often.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
I'm a pure sucker for horse racing films
From an objective stand point they are all a way too sacharin filled and stray away from reality pretty quickly, but I just always get caught up in the mystic of horse racing. Ever see National Velvet? Hell, even that one gets to me. Racing Stripes? Not so much though.
MnPDX
Seabiscuit and Let It Ride....
…my two favorites, hands-down.
Now is the time boys to make a big noise.
No matter what the people say,
For there is naught to fear, the gang's all here,
So hail West Virginia, hail.
The fiancée is out of town till Friday for work...
so I’m thinking about catching this one night this week. Looking forward to it.
Has anyone seen the John Henry documentary that came out a while back – John Henry: The Steel Driving Racehorse? I got the DVD about a month ago and it was pretty good; a lot of information about old John that I didn’t know before and some great interviews with his former trainers and jockeys.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
Hey, I Just Got That In The Mail!
We haven’t watched it yet, though. I expect it to be good…
Now is the time boys to make a big noise.
No matter what the people say,
For there is naught to fear, the gang's all here,
So hail West Virginia, hail.
by JP Fanshawe on Oct 19, 2010 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd like to see it as well
There are numerous horses docs and/or feature films could be made out of, but John Henry seems like a n obvious pick.
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