User Score
7.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 62 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 62
  2. Negative: 5 out of 62

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  1. Dr.Ed
    Aug 4, 2003
    5
    If you ever want to prove the point that reading is better than watching movies, READ the book and THEN go see the movie. There is no comparison.
  2. MikeK.
    Aug 7, 2003
    9
    This was a great movie!!!
  3. ChadS.
    Jul 30, 2003
    7
    Steven Spielberg once said that if he had helmed "Rainman", there wouldn't be a dry eye in the house. "Seabiscuit" will move some to tears but the number of people feigning allergies and contact lens problems will probably be far from a consensus. And that's a shame. The story of "Seabiscuit" is amazing, but the job Gary Ross does is merely respectable and workmanlike. Something's missing. Too bad it's not the narrator and the black and white photos. "Seabiscuit" doesn't have the same emotional uplift that the equally cornball "Rudy" has in spades, which means Sean Astin is a better actor than a horse. Expand
  4. SharonC.
    Aug 17, 2003
    8
    If only one word were permitted to describe this film, that word would undoubtedly be "epic". Though the inevitable outcome somewhat smashed the movie, this film is warm and sentimental.
  5. Apple
    Aug 5, 2003
    5
    In racing terms, Seabiscuit the horse and the book were world class champions. However, the movie is nothing more than a cheap claimer that lacks class, competent but not outstanding.
  6. JohnY.
    Jul 30, 2003
    8
    The script's a little heavy-handed at times, but the acting is superb and the film entertains throughout.
  7. Fantasy
    Jul 30, 2003
    5
    The best way to describe Seabiscuit is that something is MISSING? The beginning is very tedious and misses out on many of the fine points contained in the fabulous book. It just plods along instead of demonstrating the explosiveness that belonged to the legendary Seabiscuit. As for the final race where they portray Seabiscuit trailing the field by 25 lengths, this is a pure Hollywood fabrication. The truth is that he was never worse than sitting second at any point. Seabiscuit the movie could have been so much better. Expand
  8. Spriggangirl
    Aug 1, 2003
    6
    It wasn't bad. Not bad at all.
  9. Starfox
    Aug 17, 2003
    9
    Excellent first assistant direction by Lisa Campbell. Bravo.
  10. Abba
    Aug 22, 2003
    8
    Very good movie. Blows away all the other junk out now. Get passed the 45 minute history lesson at the beginning and its a wild ride. Tobey M. is in a zone right now and the other characters are spot on. Oh, one more thing...you book people need to get over it.
  11. AmberP.
    Aug 2, 2003
    5
    Middle of the road movie that trails the field by 30 lengths out of the starting gate as it is that slow in developing the characters. Finally, if you can stay awake after the first thirty minutes it picks up some steam, but is nothing more than a sappy Hollywood movie. It is forgotten as soon as you leave the theater. And that's the rub. The book is sensational and will stay with you forever. No comparison between the two, as Seabiscuit the movie is left at the starting gate. Could have been so much better. Expand
  12. JoshuaW.
    Aug 4, 2003
    9
    I thought this movie had only one real flaw, it held back too much. Other than that I thought it was a well made film and everyone in it did a wonderful job, especially Jeff Bridges. He's a great actor who doesn't get enough good parts these days. As for the slow pacing in the beginning of the movie, well I like to think of it in race terms. This movie paced itself at the start of the race and charged hard to the finish line. I enjoyed it very much and was actually sad that it had to end. Expand
  13. LarryT.
    Aug 8, 2003
    9
    In a time when achievement and extra effort are denigrated, this is a welcome breath of fresh air. Wonderfully acted, beautifully photographed, and extremely well written.
  14. DamianP.
    Sep 12, 2003
    3
    Not good. It was an insult to my bum that I had to sit through most of this movie. I want the producers to kiss it better!
  15. HaroldH.
    Jan 8, 2004
    7
    Wonderful story turned disappointing by the movie. Slow and not in interesting sequence. Could have been so much better.
  16. RobH.
    Feb 2, 2004
    6
    Beautiful photography, but the plot was predictable and emotionally rigged. It just didn't say anything interesting or unique.
  17. RobR.
    Feb 3, 2004
    8
    A good director knows not to tinker too much with a good story, while at the same time getting the story and it's message out to the audience. Ross has suceeded in this. A well-cast movie and perfectly executed scenes make you wonder if you've been living in a cave if you've never heard of "Seabiscuit." Exciting track scenes too!!!
  18. TimW.
    Mar 29, 2004
    6
    Not up to the book, almost like a film of clips!
  19. JackP.
    Jul 9, 2004
    10
    I loved it!
  20. MarisaR.
    Mar 9, 2006
    10
    Hey Im a nineteen Year old Jockey and i have Two three year old Thoroughbred colts There names are Stryder and Arwen, Stryder is a Pallamino, And Arwen is a Buckskin and they are 16.6 hands they are vary spirited horses and they are vary competive anyways i love your Seabiscuit website anyways nice job.
  21. DevonP.
    Nov 27, 2003
    7
    The book was sensational and you just could not wait to turn the page. As for the movie, it was pure Hollywood glitz and little else. I wanted so much for this movie to be a blockbuster but it missed the mark. It's an okay flick but nothing more. My suggestion is read the book and forget the movie.
  22. AdamE.
    Dec 2, 2003
    8
    A fascinating, thoughtful and moving film. It is definitely one of the best films of 2003 so far.
  23. JerryH.
    Jul 24, 2003
    8
    It's difficult for me to rate this film because I loved the book so much. So this grade might be a bit inflated. The beginning takes it's time introducing the characters and setting, but the pace picks up once Seabiscuit is introduced. All the actors are excellent, esp. Cooper and Bridges. It's a good film based on great book. That's the problem. The horse races are well done and get your heart going, but the final image/V.O. was a disappointment. Maybe my expectations were too high. Expand
  24. RobertH
    Jul 27, 2003
    6
    Where to begin? As a thorougbred owner, I absolutely loved the book and was eagerly anticipating the movie. After the viewing, I came away somewhat disappointed. The acting was so-so as there is no outstanding performance by any one individual. Charles Howard the bicycle repairman went to San Francisco with less than one buck in his pocket. He was starving until he took a job as an automobile dealer. It was the San Francisco Earthquake that gave birth to the modern day automobile when Howard used it as an ambulance. This fact is completely omitted in the movie. Seabiscuit was trained by the greatest trainer who ever lived, Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons. He was unable to do anything with the horse. The unknown horse whisperer Tom Smith retrains him into a champion. Sunny Jim later meets Tom at a race and with absolute class tells Tom it would be an honor if he could hold Seabiscuit while he is saddled. This too is omitted as it demonstrates the class of Sunny Jim. Red Pollard (Toby Maguire) is made out to be a drunk and a loner without a love interest. This too is not true as he marries his nurse after his accident. Again this is omitted in the movie. Finally, Seabiscuit had a look alike twin that Tom Smith used to deceive the reporters instead of Seabiscuit. The movie omitted this fact too. Of course to sell tickets, Hollywood had to put, what else, a Hollywood ending that drips with honey. No horse could ever come back from the magnitude of the injury they portray. But if you can get by the very slow first 30 minutes, it's an okay movie worth watching, but certainly not the blockbuster all had hoped for. Expand
  25. JohnnyMovie
    Jul 28, 2003
    7
    Good movie - entertaining - NOT great cinema though. Gary Ross could have knocked out the first 45 minutes of this film (which were slow and dull) in about 5 minutes. All in all, it's a nice film and I felt as though I got my money's worth. If you're a horse person - you'll love it.
  26. JanetS.
    Aug 13, 2003
    7
    The movie does not do justice to the book which is so superior; but having said that, Seabiscuit the movie is still good. The sad part is that they played it safe and made it into a sappy Hollywood story instead of having the faith to present the life and times of the real Seabiscuit. If they had, they would have had a blockbuster on their hands... The truth is that if they had played it straight, the real story and especially the characters associated with him were far more than vanilla would have made a better story. Expand
  27. Meat
    Aug 17, 2003
    8
    Very enjoyable ride and it basically kills everything else out right now (its sad to look up at the marquee and see 11 clunkers sitting next too this pleasant story). Toby M. is in a zone now and Bridges is pleasantly solid. And the race scenes are riveting. The Biscuit definitely deserves a recommendation. The only negative is 45 minute history lesson at the beginnning that drags, however, you soon forget it when the dirt finally starts to fly... Expand
  28. BenA.
    Jan 1, 2004
    8
    This movie was very good. I left the theater thinking "This movie was good, but not great" but then I remembered it was a movie about a horse. Then I thought. "I don't think they could have possibly made a better movie out of that story. Plus, its about a horse."
  29. KristinD.
    Jan 19, 2004
    8
    This movie is touching and wonderful. A pure horse-lover's movie. It is not my favorite movie in the whole entire world, but it is a quite satisfying movie.
  30. CollieM.
    Jul 8, 2004
    0
    I can't believe this sentimental, patriotic and just plain ordinary film was nominted for Best Pic. It's not just Cold Mountain thats better than this, In America, The House Of Sand And Fog, Elephant are all way more daring, honest and satisfying then this...Tobey Maguire is the only good thing.
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 43 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 43
  2. Negative: 1 out of 43
  1. 70
    Sublimely directed, scored, shot and performed, the picture misses greatness by a nose as a result of shortcomings in its script.
  2. Watching this movie, you get the feeling that the Depression existed so that Seabiscuit could be memorialized.
  3. 88
    Unabashedly hokey, but would you want it any other way? In an era of cynical junk (did anyone say “Bad Boys II”?), Ross restores the good name of crowd-pleasing.