Have You Seen Secretariat?

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

Tony D — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 01:48:37 GMT

truly wished they would have ran the REAL Belmont race at the end of the movie as the credits rolled so that younger people not around then would understand and appreciate just how special this horse was - I don't believe the movie truly captured the feeling that the real Sectrariat gave people and what made him the most revered horse ever - it would have really made the movie much more memorable because the emotion that race brings out in people can in no way be duplicated by a film. And as for a lot of comments from people that they could have gotten better looking horses to play the part of Secretariat, you have to understand that this is one of the things that really made Secretariat so special - the real Secretariat seemed regal - he was larger and better looking than every other race horse - it is not going to be possible to find one that does the original justice - Secretariat was the Elvis Presley of horses - all imitators pale in comparison. There was ONLY ONE SECRETARIAT!

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

Sarah from Rochester — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:43:51 GMT

I'm a long time horse person and horse racing fan, I've watched foals being born. I remember Secretariat's Triple Crown win. There was a lot of poetic license in the movie, but overall it was wonderful. I saw the movie with a non-horse person, who now will pay some attention to what is going on the racing world (a plus for the industry). Although the movie "Secretariats" could never capture the true fire seen in the real animal, they did the best they could to make a movie safely. Two thumbs down on "Oh Happy Day" - I think that wrecked the moment of the finish. Horse and track sounds would have been enough.

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

Ms Hancock — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 22:26:52 GMT

I made it a special event and took my daughter,brother, niece and all three of her girls,plus a friend bought the tickets in advance, spared no expense, The movie was a real treat, My only rift with this movie was why couldn't the "whole story be told? To include Riva Ridge,and expound on how good a horse Sham was as well? All of it would have taken nothing away from the story of Secretariat,To have had a movie with the Quality of a Seabiscuit isn't asking too much,since they told mainly a story of the Chenery Family and how it was kept together, I loved the movie,I knew the story, I will buy it when it comes out on DVD, I just wish't they'd have told the WHOLE story, The whole story would've been Great too !

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

trackgirl — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:40:46 GMT

My heart raced the entire time!! I especially liked the moment of waiting before Secretariat came around the final turn in the Belmont but the music choice at that very minute squelched the feeling inside of me. Afterward yes, fine, but at that very moment-wrong timing! All in all, I love the movie and I will own it on DVD as soon as it's released. Thank you to all who worked so hard to bring us this movie!

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

My Juliet — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:37:42 GMT

I was looking forward to seeing 'Secretariat' since last yr after hearing it was in the works. Overall, a decent wholesome movie that I think most people will enjoy. Personally I was disappointed the main focus was on his owner and not the horse. Penny Chenery is someone to admire but I was expecting it to center on Big Red. I enjoyed seeing the relat between her & her father, her fight to save the farm, her belief in this great horse. I do think the people assoc. with a great horse, the 'human interest stories' are what makes horseracing so special. I just thought in this movie the horse was a side character to the owner. It didn't even tell anything about his races after The Belmont. It would be more fitting to be titled 'The Penny Chenery Story'.

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

Saddle57 — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 02:41:28 GMT

I thought the movie was pretty good. It should have been more about him. I watched Big Red win the Triple Crown in my dad's living room. I was 16 years old. I cried then, and I cried during the movie. My mom passed away 2 days before he won, and his winning that day made me forget all that I had just been through. My dad also took me to see him at Arlington Park. What a magnificent animal. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

Kelly E. — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:19:16 GMT

I am going to see it this weekend, but wanted to post here that the best racing movie ever made was Phar Lap. It only reaffirmed my love of the sport and it was, indeed, more than just about a horse and more than just about a person. Same thing with Seabiscuit which was the second best racing movie, in my opinion. I have not been much of a fan of the other Disney-esque films...but I will give Secretariat the benefit of the doubt. I am just so happy to finally have some sort of a way to honor this great champion in this fashion.

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

Householder — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:35:52 GMT

How appropriate to villify Sham the Santa Anita Derby winner and the best hope from the west. Sham ripped 2 teeth out on the starting gate that day at Churchill and still ran the 4th fastest time ever. I think Monarchos is the only other horse to break the 2:00 minute barrier since Big Red. Who was playing Pincay? Omar Berrio?

I also waited around for the credits but did not see who played any of the jockeys who were the "extras." Thought I caught a glimpse of Kent D. in the starting gate.

I know it was Disney and all but they left the whole aspect of gambling completly out. Never saw a window. What's the win pool look like for a horse to pay .10 cents? Lots and lots of 1973 dollars put on that horse never mind the recession.

Was that Andy Beyer (the dude in the cap) making all the "negative" comments about Secretariat's pedigree, distance limitations, etc. etc? Not the reporter the other guy that hung out with him.

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

Yvonne Baker — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:13:42 GMT

This was an awesome movie---I've paid to see it twice and will go again--the racing scenes were beyond compare and "Big Red" -"Secretariat" was the most beautiful stallion with a heart of gold....I just hope someday we can see another horse win the prestigous "Triple Crown".....

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

Fran Loszynski — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:28:00 GMT

AceofSpades: You may only be 13, but you are our future in horseracing. Go to every race you can, listen for the hoofs as they beat down on the turf and enjoy every time you pick a winner with heart. Being older now, it's nice to know the future of horsracing is in good hands like yours! It's two minutes of your life everytime you attend a race that you will never forget. The fact that you can talk about Big Red and Ruffian, tells us old-timers alot about the future of horseracing. Thank You.

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

JT — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:41:38 GMT

Was Lucien Lauren properly fined for lighting a fire in the barn area?

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

hopperclaude — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:44:21 GMT

I thought the movie delivered!

My wife, 7 year old daughter and 4 year old son loved the movie.

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

Jenet Vlotaros — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 17:25:18 GMT

I was truly disappointed in the Movie--there was so much more to that great horse than was shown. The movie was more about people than it was about the horse.

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

CURLINLOVER — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 11:36:21 GMT

I was honestly disappointed in the movie because of too few races shown! Too many human story lines and too little Secretariat. But it's Disney and has to appeal to all ages and demographic groups. What I did like was how it portrayed the close relationship between owner and Secretariat and groom and Secretariat. Those were touching! The horse 'playing' Secretariat was beautiful and soulful. The actors were good! The few race scenes were well done with excitement elements. But lots was missing! Sham was vilified, unfortunately! However, as long as it generates racing interest among the general public, it serves its purpose!

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

maryann727 — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 21:08:16 GMT

The movie was very good and as others have stated I enjoyed the portrayals of Penny Tweedy and Miss Hamm. I do wish they could have found horses to play Secretariat who looked more like him; I thought the horse 'actors' used in the close-ups to be ordinary and they failed to convey Secretariat's charismatic presence. This was punctuated at the end of the movie as the credits rolled and there was a clip of Secretariat running in his pasture. What a magnificent looking horse; he looked like the legend he was and is.

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

Livewire — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:01:13 GMT

Just went to see the Secretariat movie. I was prepared beforehand for the awful choice of music for his Belmont stretch run and liberties taken with the actual events, so overall I was pleased. The human drama that unfolded around him was interesting and well played by all the cast members. If they ever do another Secretariat movie as they did for Seabiscuit I would love to see it from the perspective of the events of the time, the historical implications of what Secretariat accomplished, and the unbelievable physical presence and acceleration he possessed. I don't think anyone watching the movie really got the sense of why he was the greatest racehorse ever seen.

I'm grateful for some of the choices made to depict the story, the old advertising page for the Meadow Stud, the picture of the actual Secretariat winning as a two year old at Saratoga, the explanation of the abscess for his defeat in the Wood, but most of all the actual footage of the Preakness being used to show his win in the 2nd classic to set him up for the Triple Crown.

The only saving grace for the original Seabiscuit movie was the actual footage of Seabiscuit's races.

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

RachelLover — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:51:26 GMT

My husband and I saw the movie over the weekend and we both really enjoyed it. I was a bit worried whether I would be able to overlook the liberties taken with the story but was happily surprised to find I was so caught up in the movie I didn't even mind the "goofs". The racing scenes were outstanding, much better than Seabiscuit where they used fake horses for the up close shots of the riders. I was also very impressed with Otto who played Ron Turcotte - what a great job he did with no acting experience! I do agree with Mr. Haskin that I'm not sure they really captured the greatness of Big Red and how much he meant to the country at that time but overall the movie was really good. The group in the theater was a mixture of older, middle-aged and young kids with their parents. Everyone was clapping and cheering (myself included) and everyone came out of the movie uplifted and happy. Quite a few of us stood around afterward and discussed Secretariat...how often do you go to the movies and stand around afterward discussing it with strangers? If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and go; well worth the money and time.

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

Sheflieswithoutwings — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:11:53 GMT

After looking forward to it and reading all about it (from Steve's articles of course) for quite some time, I finally went and saw the movie last night... As a younger (20's) racing fan, and one who would've loved this movie years ago when I knew nothing about TB racing itself, I found it worth watching but lackluster on several accounts. Of course, now I have actually worked and seen and been in the industry (I love it!), and practically live at the bloodhorse.com as I do not reside in KY. Some of the scenes, as Steve says, are beautifully done & the racing scenes are beyond compare (although I can do better in my head). How lovely was the slow-frame of Secretariat crossing the finish line--poetic--but it made me wish for actual footage of him like that. Diane Lane impressed as Penny, and, although not true to character, John Malkovich's comic relief was appreciated nonetheless. Nelsan Ellis nailed the part of Eddie Sweat; I don't know how "Bull" Hancock was in his own life, but he was portrayed nicely enough on film. Disney should have left out the "typical villain" bull. Sham was a great champion too--just like Alydar (who I much prefer over Affirmed, sorry), any other year would have been HIS! They really "dumbed it down" for true horse racing fans who know facts & history. Yes, I wish they had focused more on the real story--the one about the horse. It was, but it didn't deliver all that it should have. I also thought they could have shown an actual Belmont win photo--just to show audiences how much distance really was between the horses at the end. They said "31 lengths" but for the non-horsey or racing person, that doesn't mean a whole lot (since they may not know). Show us!!! This great champion set records that STILL STAND! Why couldn't they have proven that? And where were the photos of the Time, Sports Illustrated, & Newsweek covers that he graced as THE HORSE of the time? What racehorse (or any horse for that matter) has EVER been honored this way??? * sigh * Oh, it was also really pathetic for those who know Keeneland and that it is not Belmont Park. Oh well... at least they show you his statue in the end of the movie; & a kind of "where are they now" tribute to Penny, Lucien, Eddie, etc. What really surprised me though, was the footage of the real Secretariat at the finish of the movie--flying free in his paddock as a stallion at Claiborne Farm--I didn't expect to see the REAL him... and cry. THAT choked me up. I want the expensive DVD that they made about him, but I suppose I'll have to buy the movie too :)

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

Mike Relva — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 02:22:22 GMT

Seen it. A Tour De Force!

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

Eric Rickard — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 00:39:52 GMT

I took my four kids today. Age 15, 8,6,5. They loved it. I have been a racing fan for over 35 years. I know the history. It didn't mater. I still was teary eyed and got excited when he ran in the movie. Well acted, well written, and well produced. The best was when my 5 year old jumped up and shouted, " best movie ever".

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

The Big Fella — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 22:43:40 GMT

Disappointing. Had been eagerly awaiting this movie, however from the very begining I thought, Uh-ow. Quoting from the bible? Really? The discracefull way Lucien

Lauren is introduced as a cantankerous curmudgeon who wants nothing more to do with racing is appalling. How about the thinly disquised racial portrayal of Secretariat's groom? I half expected him to say something like "Lawdy miss Penny, please don let 'em sell da farm!" As for the music - good grief. We get two playings of Oh Happy Day. To quote a line from another movie, "that's like putting an elevator in an outhouse. Don't fit"

In 1973 I saw Secretariat's live Belmont triumph on t.v. & was dumfounded. It was shortly after that I made my first trip to a thoroughbred race track. I wonder if the people responsible for this film have actually ever been to one. I wouldn't bet on it. I'm not going to bother with the historical inaccuracies, many reviewers have gone into those allready.

All that being said, this is not a bad movie. Diane Lane's performance is exceptional, & of course you get a flavor for the mighty Secretariat himself. No, it's not bad, it's just so unsatisfying.

You know after Secretariat died there an autopsy performed on him and it confirmed what many people allready knew, his heart was twice the size of a normal racehorce. We will probably never see the likes of him again.

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

Nancy Jacob — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 19:53:19 GMT

I want to thank Disney for making the film, documenting the life and times of Secretariat's two primary years in the the spotlight. We needed a film for future generations to remember and appreciate this special chestnut. How amazing God's genetics are to create such a powerful animal! It revealed how Sham's team must have felt as Saliari felt watching Mozart. I truly wish I have, in my life time, another opportunity to see such an incredible creature with literally a 22 pound heart. He was a red horse in white and blue silks. It was such a patriotic image when our country was struggling with men o' war.

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

tbiscuit — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 15:42:43 GMT

Excellent film, beautifully photographed. Diane Lane, John Malkovich, Margo Martindale and Nelsan Ellis gave award consideration performances. And the music tied the whole production together like a treasured memory. Oh Happy Day!

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

Amanda Mery — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 07:34:29 GMT

Loved it so much! did awesome with the belmont and my frieds loved it too! She was shocked that it was something that she would like and i am glad. Can't wait for another movie like it to come out with another big champion... maybe Zenyatta.

re: Have You Seen Secretariat?

Yvonne Baker — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 06:57:00 GMT

I've seen this movie twice and cried both times. I am just happy that Disney was able to present the story of "Big Red"- "Secretariat" in such an awesome way as to put history before the people. This movie was able to reinforce the fact that it was 25 yrs up until Secretariat won the Triple Crown in 1973 and it's now been 37 years and still no Triple Crown winner.....Secretariat was a beautifully magnificent horse with a huge heart and drive!!! The world waits every year for the next Triple Crown winner---the race distances have not changed the world waits for the next horse to claim the "Crown". I will go to see the movie until it stops running in the theatres and then purchase it in DVD when available....I LOVE THAT HORSE--he was AWESOME!