My grandfather was a small man could ride bareback. Was almost a jockey. He ended up being a telegrapher for newspapers . He traveled the country telegraphing horse race results. He was at the match race.
Interesting story about George Woolf the jockey that road Sea Biscuit when Red was hurt. Woolf suffered from diabetes and died after he fell off a horse during a race. He was taken to a hospital unconscious and died the next day. It was suspected his fall caused from the diabetes. Gary Stevens the Jockey who played Woolf was a Hall of Fame jockey , he won 9!Triple Crown races. Stevens had along career despite numerous injuries and “retirements”. Stevens was known as the Bionic Jockey for racing despite multiple joint replacements. I was watching the Arlington Million on TV ,Stevens was racing his horse fell and he was trampled by the field! Stevens was taken off by ambulance. My wife and I were horrified! We had both read the book knew how Woolf had died it was like Stevens had suffered the same fate. Thankfully Stevens survived and was racing again in 9 days
Seabiscuit was an American legend. He was so famous in his time that in 1938 he was the number one news story by lines of type in the newspapers than any other, more than President Roosevelt, Hitler or any other news story of that year. And FYI, George Woolf was played by jockey Gary Stevens who is a bit of a legend himself, and the guy that plays the part of Charlie Kurtsinger, who is War Admirals jockey is played by Chris McCarren, another Hall of Fame jockey and who designed all the racing scenes for the movie.
It was the time of Depression and the radio in the USA and Seabiscuits races attracted millions and gave folks hope, the little guy beating all the odds....there is a little real life footage out there of his races and he was phenomenally fast, winning some races by huge distances....Gary Ross writer, director made a great film out of a great book...its good to bawl!
I have seen more movies than I could ever remember over the decades, with lots of favorites in many genres. As I’ve grown older, my tastes in what I have considered my favorites have changed dramatically, as well as my priorities as to how I want to spend my time. So, I recently started a list of my favorite movies with great stories, characters, music, and uplifting themes, so when I want to watch something, I don’t have to rely on my cluttered memory. 😆 Just this morning, I added Seabiscuit to that list. I’ve seen it many times, and I love it. Looking forward to seeing your reaction.
Thanks for another fun watch! I'm sure you know the true story of Secretariat, the greatest race horse in history. The movie of the same name is an incredible watch. It's also the beautiful story of a very special lady & woman and her love of & faith in her horse. I hope you can watch it here.
Funny how I cried more from watching your reaction than when I first watched Seabiscuit in the theaters. I empathized with you emotion and empathy. Also helps having sisters who had horses.
Nice hat! The movie was based on a non-fiction book of the same name by Laura Hillenbrand. I enjoyed it when I read it years ago. She also wrote Unbroken, which Angelina Jolie made a not-very-good movie from. Gary Ross directed Seabiscuit. He also directed Pleasantville (1998), which had Tobey Maguire and William H. Macy (Tick Tock McGlaughlin) as well. It's a fine movie with a very different feel from this one. William H. Macy's best-known role is probably Jerry Lundegaard in Fargo (1996). You owe it to yourself to watch it if you haven't already. It's a great movie. The narrator was David McCullough. It was brilliant bit of casting. He did the narration for several of Ken Burns' historical documentaries. His voice adds verisimilitude to the movie.
Toby McGuire was in the movie Pleasantville [1998]...look it up...The story centers on two siblings who wind up trapped in a 1950s TV show, set in a small Midwest town, where residents are seemingly perfect.
I live just 11 miles from Santa Anita, I remember when they were filming this. When you go to the track it's like stepping back in time, the only thing that has changed is the clothes people are wearing and the cars in the parking lot. Horse breeding is a funny thing, the stud fee for the horse that sired the winner of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday was only $10,000. while the father of the horse that finished a close 2nd has a stud fee of $250,000. The story of the victorious underdog is still happening. 😉
Great reaction. When my son was younger, he decided he wanted to go to the drive in for his birthday because he wanted to see the main feature. The was the second movie and not being "horse people" we didn't know anything about Seabiscuit other than a vague recollection of the name. To this day, it's one of my favorite movies and like you, I can't make it through without some waterworks.
When i was hurting really really bad this movie helped pick me up. One of, if not the most inspirational stories I've ever seen. The acting is top notch as well. Thank you Sea Biscuit!!💔❤🩹❤💖
Here’s a western I bet you haven’t seen Madison…”Old Henry” from 2021! It’s one of the best ‘newer’ westerns that I’ve seen by far! A widowed farmer and his son warily take in a mysterious, injured man with a satchel of cash. When a posse of men claiming to be the law come for the money, the farmer must decide who to trust. Defending a siege of his homestead, the farmer reveals a talent for gun-slinging that surprises everyone calling his true identity into question.
Perhaps the perfect match of film and reactor. The astonishing thing is that it's true -- all the major beats of the story actually happened. A great underdog story at a time when the country really needed it. It pairs well with The Cinderella Man, another amazing underdog story from the Great Depression, and which I have always thought of as the human version of Seabiscuit. The nonfiction book about Seabiscuit is well worth reading. People are going to say you should watch Secretariat and The Black Stallion. They're right! Thank you for such a wonderful and moving reaction.
Another Breyer collector here! Been collecting Breyer’s since 1972 & have over 800 in my “herd” including the ones you mentioned since my family & friends have been involved in breeding & racing Thoroughbreds. So excited to see your reaction to this wonderful movie.
i'll tell you what. i am NOT a horse guy. but i also grew up in So. Cal. and as a young teen my buddies and i would cut thru the Santa Anita Horse Racing Park to get to Santa Anita mall 2 or 3x a week. fast forward about 30 yrs. One early morning, and im NOT an early morning kinda guy either, but one early morning, and i cant even remember WHY, but i got up early and went to Santa Anita Horse Racing Park to see the early morning horse.... i dont even know what youd call it, practice runs? workouts? ill tell you agian, i am NOT a horse guy, but sitting in those stands watching the horses train/workout was the most YEN thing ive ever experienced. it was a great morning. it was early enough that it wasnt hot out yet. clear skies. beautiful mountains backdrop. the sound of the hooves.i was surprised how much i liked it. .......... im also a motorsports photographer. i came back for a 2nd visit and i swear to God i am not exaggerating. when i was taking shots at a few horses that were waiting to go out onto the track. i pointed my camera at them and released the shutter a few times and 2 of them, at different times, HEARD my shutter releases and were looking right at me, and i swear to you, they were POSING for me. some race horses have egos.
Seabiscuit wat a brilliant galloper however he won 33times from 89 and raced for5yrs,Secretariat won 16 from 21 races and raced for only 2yr didn't race beyond his 3yo days then u have pharlap who won 37 eaces from 51 starts and raced fo 4yr phar lap has done what no other horse in history has done he won 4G1 races over 7days during the spring carnival saturday to the following sat,then phar lap went to mexico and beat the best from that era with a ruptured left fetlock so i think the greatest thoroughbred to race is pharlap he beat all ages not just 3yo
So good. IIRC the movie was pretty true to the book. It’s definitely cry-worthy. Yes to secretariat. Another great Tobey McGuire movie is cider house rules.
Hi Madison. Love your reactions. For Westerns, may I suggest "Hondo" with John Wayne. It is based on a book by Louis L' Amour, one of the most popular "Western" authors of all time. As a "Western" author yourself, you'll appreciate it. Plus it's a great movie, if you can get past the fact that it was filmed in 3D.
This is top five all-time movie for me. I love how you got every single connection and purpose as most reactors miss entirely the point. Well done.When Red and 'biscuit saw each other both lame...me too. Not a dry eye
Great reaction! For the next or last horse race movie you should watch "50-1" (2014) based on true story! You'll love it!🐎🐎 Thanks for sharing Madison ❤️💛
By all means, Madison, read Laura Hillebrand"s story of Seabuscuit and Red Pollard, on which this film is based! It is NOT a novel! I have read it 5 times! It is that amazing. There is a documentary on RU-vid prominently including her, which is excellent. RU-vid won't allow me to share the link, because RU-vid, in typical leftist fashion, eats it's own.
Madison, please react to "The Horse Whisperer" a Great movie. And of course "Secretariat" another Great Movie. I know you'll enjoy both. Be sure to have a box of tissues for "Whisperer" though, your gonna need the Whole Box. 🤔🥴🥰🤣🤫😐
The narrator David McCullough is a historian, author and narrator who has won dozens of awards including a National Book Award, 2 Pulitzers and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His narration work includes many years on the PBS series American Experience, award winning stand-alone documentaries like Ken Burns' The Civil War.
Such a lovely warm voice that sounds the voice of experience. American Experience is such a wonderful series from PBS. So informative and well researched on all periods of American history and culture.
@@dennisshaper4744 Agreed. He brings a solid performance every time, even in the over the top The Patriot (should be called The Avenger). But he should have won Best Supporting Actor for October Sky.
It's historian David McCullough. Author of two Pulitzer Prize biographies an many other books. He passed away in 2022. I have a brother who was good friend of Mr. McCullough.
So extremely happy you reacted to this beautiful movie. my Dad passed a few years ago....but for 50 years of my life, my dad religiously watched the triple crown...and at times I didn't understand....I watch in his honor, miss him dearly. This movie, beautifully, shot ,written ,directed, acted...allows me to understand my dad a little bit more. ❤.Love Fridays with Madison.
@@barryscott8041 sadly, some folks can't accept a great production of a great story if it doesn't check every box of the narrow brand of what qualifies to them as entertainment. Their loss.
MADISON. Please watch and react to the horse movie "Dreamer" starting Kurt Russell, Dakota Fanning, Kris Kristofferson, Elizabeth Shue. WONDERFUL movie.
Not based on a novel, but on the true story of Seabiscuit. Minor changes to conform to movie length, etc, but essentially true in all important characters and events.
I was going to say the same thing--I've read Laura Hillenbrand's book, and it's an amazing piece of narrative nonfiction. The film sticks pretty close to the basics, although it condenses a lot of things.
Hiya. A few more bawl-your-eyes-out films concerning great horses/jockeys, at least one of which you'll know - 'Phar Lap' (1983) ; 'Champions' (1984) ; 'Secretariat' (2010) ; 'Ride Like A Girl' (2019). Stay safe. All the best to you.
Horses are our world. My Grandaughter just earned a much coveted rodeo Scholarship in Oklahoma. Pumps me Up!!!! But Secretariat was the ELVIS OF HORSES!
While in okc for the huge BBR competition last week, we saw so many adorable companion animals for the big time horses. Several shetlands, lost count of how many goats. Our fast girl hangs out with my Seattle Slew baby. He is her calming influence.
Actually, he didn't grow up poor - his family was affluent (they hint that pretty strongly by the scene in the dining room and then, when they buy him a horse - not something poor people could afford to do) until the crash, when they lost everything, including their home and pretty much all their possessions. From that point, he basically kept himself alive by doing what you see here
*Madison, I hope you find this because the old saying holds very true is this instance: "The book is better."* *I highly recommend the book **_Seabiscuit: An American Legend_** by Laura Hillenbrand. Hillenbrand includes revealing and intriguing details which amplify the exploits of Seabiscuit to a non-horse racing person. The movie simply recounts Seabiscuit's wins, but Hillenbrand gives details of what Seabiscuit had to overcome, based on racing handicaps, which make his accomplishments more astounding.* *(P.S. Hillenbrand also wrote, **_Unbroken_** about WWII hero Louie Zamperini, another amazing book)*
I must also highly recommend the book. The amount of work doing research Laura Hillenbrand did for it is staggering. Her description of what it felt like to be on the back of a racehorse at top speed, of nearly every length of a race, I have never had an author pull me any deeper into their story than Laura Hillenbrand with Seabiscuit.
@@greenfalcon11 You took the words right out of my mouth. After completing the book, I felt a bit sad, like I was missing Seabiscuit. I spent hours on the internet looking for pictures and info on Seabiscuit. I always say, "My favorite athlete is Seabiscuit."
It took all 4 and maybe you could say 5 ! The owner, trainer, jockey, and of course Seabiscuit. And of course the 5th would be his wife. Without the owner believing in the horse, Jockey and trainer, there would have never been a Seabiscuit. Without the trainer, nobody would have gave Seabiscuit a chance! Without the jockey, being able to befriend Seabiscuit again there would be no Seabiscuit. And of course Seabiscuit not being what he was, none of them would have found each other! Like you said at the end it was The perfect Storm, that would not have been possible without one of them! Oh and course his wife, talking her husband into letting Red ride again!
Great reaction. Based on your introduction, I’m sure you have seen it. But just in case: The Horse Whisperer is an outstanding film and one that I have never seen anyone react to yet - please do so.
Don't feel bad about crying. I saw this movie in the theater with a large group of friends, and every single one of us was in tears. This movie is so full of emotional moments as 4 broken souls find each other, rediscover hope and purpose, and learn to be a family unrelated by blood but sharing the same heart, the same dreams... Anyone who doesn't cry watching this has something seriously wrong with them. Please give your own little horse with a huge heart a kiss from me!!
"The Reivers" is another horse go fast movie, about a boy and his grandfather's plantation employees, who steal his grandfather's new, yellow roadster for the weekend the parents and grandparents were out of town, and take it to Memphis, where they visit "Boone's" girlfriend, who works in a bordello.There is a really interesting thing at the end about responsibility and shame, facing it like a gentlemen for what it is (although I prefer the approach of Manuel in _Captains Courageous,_ that we need to do something we're ashamed of (as kids), so we won't do things anymore that we need to be ashamed of! Much more mercy and grace. The grandfather in _The Reivers_ doesnt acknowledge that he ever did anything to be ashamed of, or barely does, as if a gentleman wouldn't do anything wring, and I'm pretty sure the author knew better than that). The story was written by William Faulkner, and I'm pretty sure the horseback ride he was remembering, himself flying like a bird, was his early success with _The Sound and the Fury,_ both the writing of it and the worldly glory. But it also begins with the black cars versus the rare, colorful ones, like the yellow roadster. And employees borrowing the car for the weekend, and a kid driving, although mostly going along with the employees borrowing it, and jockeying a horse). The race, and the part with his grandfather: YT video "The Reivers 1969 Part*7"
