Rating: 
Summary: Inspiring
Review: I just saw this documentary on PBS and immediately ordered the DVD. I found it one of the most inspiring shows I've ever watched. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: excellent for all ages
Review: I read the book, and saw the Hollywood film. Loved the book, was disenchanted with the movie as it left out so many rich details... of course a movie can never be as thorough as a book, but I felt the Hollywood film fell far short of what it could have been. I wanted to share the Seabiscuit story with my kids, ages 11, 9 and 8 and ordered the PBS DVD, and none of us were disappointed. The PBS film includes much depth in describing the life of a jockey, the action on the race track, the historical circumstances and the characters in this tale. I found the PBS film far superior to the full length feature film. It was amazing to see actual footage of the races and of the beloved little horse. We watched it with the kids, and their grandparents. All of us loved it! Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Great Film!
Review: I really enjoyed this DVD as it gave more light to the Seabiscuit story. Red Pollard's daughter narrates part of it as does Laura Hillenbrand. Fascinating! Also, the footage of the race against War Admiral is perfection!
A great companion to the book and movie!
Rating:
Summary: Greatness Revealed
Review: I saw this documentary when aired earlier this year. I'm not big on horse-racing and frankly find horses a bit worrisome ... but I was spellbound by this story. And afterwards, I spent a lot of time thinking about why.The documentary itself is a first rate production. Lots of historical footage and photos, interviews with jockey Red Pollard's daughter, Seabiscuit's "biographer", Laura Hillenbrand, and others, the story told with fitting understatement. That understatement serves to highlight what is (for me anyway) the core of the story: that in the late 1930s, events conspired to give this horse a second chance to prove its singular, raw athletic gift ... and it did. There is a human side to the story of course. The horse's potential was coaxed out by a motley collection of, well, losers: a discredited trainer, a failed jockey, an owner who lost both son and wife. But without Seabiscuit's innate and unmatched physical power and spirit, their efforts would have have been wasted, and we wouldn't care about the story. For me, the emotional highpoint of the story is the match race between Seabiscuit and Triple Crown winner War Admiral. The documentary contains full historical footage of this showdown, one that attracted a national audience of 40 million (remember this is the 1930s!). The grainy, black and white footage only accentuates the explosive start and raw speed the two horses unleashed that day, and the overwhelming physical power Seabiscuit revealed in the race's final seconds. You don't need to know about horse-racing to understand what you're seeing: one of the few true pure athletes of modern times at the peak of his power. The documentary steps back and lets Seabiscuit speak for himself. It's the inspiring moment in a well-told story, and one you will find yourself viewing in your home and mind again and again.
Rating:
Summary: An inspiring documentary about an American legend
Review: I was unaware of the story of racehorse Seabiscuit until viewing this terrific American Experience PBS documentary one evening. To say I was inspired and moved would be an understatement. What a great American story this is, absolutely proving that truth is stranger (if not more exciting) than fiction. For years, American Experience (AE) has produced timely and thought-provoking documentaries about our nation's denizens. This is the first time I can recall AE producing a documentary about not only a sports-related figure, but also an animal. The Seabiscuit story involves a variety of colorful, down-on-their-luck characters symbolizing America's struggle with the Depression. Standing out ahead of the pack is the story of unlucky rider Red Pollard, Seabiscuit's main jockey. AE filmmakers have done a superb job weaving relative and friend interviews with actual footage of Red, bringing to life a man whose heroism symbolized the American Dream. This is where the "Seabiscuit" documentary is eventually superior to the film version (which came out the same year). The actual footage of these true-to-life characters is far more interesting than Hollywood's recreation. The narration by husky-voiced actor Scott Glenn is also the perfect accompaniment to the story, well written, succinct and humorous. The race that defined the legend of Seabiscuit was his one-on-one battle with Triple Crown winner War Admiral. The documentary's build-up to this incredible showdown appropriately generates suspense, expertly creating a "you are there" sensation. And the race itself, shown in its entirety, turned out to be one of the most intense battles of all time. Viewers unaware of the outcome are in for a dramatic moment. Amazingly, Seabiscuit's story did not end with the epic War Admiral clash. And AE's documentation of the final triumph of the storied horse and his jockey Red will bring a tear to most viewer eyes. Author Laura Hillenbrand, whose best selling novel "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" did much to revive this tale for a 21st century generation, is also on hand to offer profound insight into the horse's legend. Her comments get to the root of the story's meaning in relation to the fabric of America. "Seabiscuit" is an inspiring documentary, appropriately detailed with historic photographs, old news clippings and newsreel footage, combined with telling interviews and period music. It's hard to imagine this story not touching viewers, no matter the age.
Rating:
Summary: Video footage to go with your book and a must have !
Review: I wrote a lengthy review of the book by Laura Hillenbrand and I feel it is a MUST HAVE in your Library. Now you have the chance to see the actual races and real footage of the horse and his jockey and trainer. While the Movie will be another MUST HAVE in your collection, this documentary will give you the actual persons and horses as they were at the time. I cannot tell you how special and important the Seabiscut history was, but this is true Americana, and this is a hero of sport and will. Anyone who wants to overcome the odds and triumph when they were not believed to be able to, should buy this documentary. Movies are enjoyable also, but this is historical and should be grouped together with your purchase of the Books and the upcoming movie on Seabiscut. Best Regards to all, MC - TheStickRules.Com
Rating:
Summary: You've seen the film, now watch the actual Seabiscuit run
Review: Okay, the only question here is whether you would enjoy watching this PBS "American Experience" documentary about Seabiscuit after watching the hit theatrical film. The answer is yes. The match race between Seabiscuit and War Admiral goes exactly like it was done in the film, but there is something to be said for watching footage of the actual race. Seabiscuit lets War Admiral catch up with him but holds off the challenger and blows past him on the straightaway, pulling away at the end. The footage and shots of Red Pollard sitting on top of the 7-year-old Seabiscuit after finally winning the Santa Anita $100,000 race are quite poignant and there is also the fact that you actually get to see Seabiscuit it all his awkward glory. This documentary shows that the theatrical film is essentially faithful to the dramatic highpoints of Seabiscuit's racing career. In terms of the human beings in the horse's life that boils down to his trainer Tom Smith in the first half of the documentary and his jockies, primarily Red Pollard, in the second. This has to be because the idea that both horse and rider could come back from problems that left the pair with four good legs between them is a story that writes itself. When ESPN put Secretariat on its list of the 50 Greatest Athletes of all time I had no problem with that. I have a pet theory that says you really fall in love with only one horse in your life; for some that would be Black Beauty or the Pie or Trigger or Citation or the one in their own stable. For me it was Secretariat. But I can see where lots of people could end up falling in love with this funny looking horse that died long before they were born could become the horse of their heart. So, whether you come to the documentary from the theatrical film or go to the movies after catching this documentary on PBS during the current pledge drive, I think that you will be satisfied either way. My suggestion would be go to the movies for the Hollywood version and then check out the real thing on this nice little documentary.
Rating:
Summary: Better than the movie!
Review: People who have only seen the movie cannot fully appreciate the unforgettable Seabiscuit since the movie leaves out so many details about what Seabiscuit had to overcome in many races to win. This documentary includes all of his story and there is nothing like seeing the real Seabiscuit, Red, Tom and Howard in action (not just still photos). There are films of his races as well of films of him ('Biscuit) just in his "leisure" time at home. I found this documentary to be almost as moving as the book while the movie (which was good) really wasn't. If you enjoyed the book I think you'll really love this documentary and it would be well worth your while to buy it. It's something a 'Biscuit fan will want to keep.
Rating: 
Summary: Caution!
Review: The DVD I ordered did not contain "Seabiscuit" but instead consisted of a really vile "movie" called "Hot Dog" with wet T-shirt contests and the like. I assume this was a mixup at the factory(?) So be sure to check yours out before giving it to a family member (as I was planning to do!)
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Documentary About Seabiscuit
Review: This is a great documentary DVD. Part of it was narrated by the author of the great book about Seabiscuit, Laura Hillenbrand. Best of all is the actual film footage of Seabiscuit, including the famous race against War Admiral. If you want to know more about Seabiscuit, then this is an excellent documentary to watch.
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