The Film
Hollywood loves a good horse tale. There's Flicka, The Black Stallion, Hildalgo, National Velvet, and Seabiscuit, just to name a few. Now coming into the cavalry is Secretariat.
In 1973, Secretariat snagged the Triple Crown, meaning he won the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. It was a big deal because no horse had grabbed that title in over 25 years, and only two have done it since. To top it off, Secretariat won by a whopping 31 lengths -- a record which still stands today.
That sort of story is prime fodder for a Disney movie, and Secretariat does follow the horse from birth through his big win. However, the real underdog here is Penny Chenery (played by Diane Lane), Secretariat's owner, who goes from housewife to horse whisperer in a matter of minutes.
Secretariat isn't anything groundbreaking for Disney, but they certainly know how to deliver the triumphs and tragedies of an underdog. Don't get turned off by some of the sap. The racing scenes alone make this movie a true champion.
Want better odds? Find out more about this movie in David Kempler's review of the theatrical release of Secretariat.
The Picture
A magnificent beast deserves a magnificent image. This 2.35:1 transfer is pretty impressive, featuring rich colors to help display the time period, as well as lot of good detail to match. There are a few soft scenes, which could have been intentional, but definitely don't make this a bad viewing experience. Close-ups and facial details are also wonderful, although at times, a bit on the red side. Some of the best colors come from Lucien's always-festive attire, as well as the horse himself. After all, the latter is what this film is really about, and where Disney does its best image work. The horse's mane and those giant, expressive eyes pop really well, as does those giant hoof prints on the muddy track. While it's not exactly demo material, Secretariat is a nice looking, enjoyable film from an image standpoint.
The Sound
While the image may not be demo-worthy, we strongly suggest that you close your eyes and enjoy the sounds of Secretariat. This film delivers stomps, clomps, cheers, and all of the rest of the audio goods on Blu-ray, thanks to an excellent DTS-HD Master Audio track. Much of the movie is focused on dialogue, which the track does do very well. Even though Penny Chenery seemed to be a soft-spoken woman, there was never a moment where her dialogue was drowned out or missed. Still, the main attraction here are the film's many awesome racing scenes. From the moment that those horses go flying out of the gate, you can expect a huge burst of surround sound and bass that doesn't let up until the end of each race.
The Extras
Secretariat charges onto Blu-ray with a very respectable collection of extras. Some of the featurettes take the viewer through the racing scenes, which are the most heart-pounding moments of the movie. However, there are two other interesting shorts, which feature some of the people who knew Secretariat best. "Heart of a Champion" talks with cast and crew, as well as the real Penny Chenery and other people who lived alongside Secretariat during the height of his racing career. However, if you're only going to watch one, go for "A Director's Inspiration." This 21-minute interview has director Randall Wallace sitting down with Chenery to talk about the movie and her motivation. Stay with it; it's well worth your time.
Final Thoughts
Secretariat may not be the best sports movie or even the best horse movie. It's a little over-dramatic at times, but Disney has still delivered a fitting tribute to one of the greatest four-legged sports figures of all time. Even better, they've delivered a nice Blu-ray that you'll want to keep in your stable, thanks to a solid image and selection of extras, as well as one phenomenal audio track.
Product Details
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