Seabiscuit: The Lost Documentary (2003)

Seabiscuit tells the true story of how a puny, ungainly horse became a racing champ and an American obsession of the 1930s. Writer-director Gary Ross stuck closely to the narrative of Laura Hillenbrand's best-seller, and aided by an exquisitely bred cast -- Maguire as half-blind jockey Red Pollard and Cooper as taciturn trainer Tom Smith are neck-and-neck with great performances -- he delivered a crowd-pleasing drama that is in every way what the legendary steed was not: big, beautiful, and molasses-paced. EXTRAS Include a making-of feature (how many horses played Seabiscuit?), original newsreel footage, cast and crew interviews, and commentary by Ross and Academy thoroughbred Steven Soderbergh.

Seabiscuit: The Lost Documentary was recently recovered and restored in 2003, in both B&W and color. Real-life owner Charles Howard's documentary tells the Biscuit's nags-to-riches tale with scant mention of Pollard or Smith. But it still charms with authentic period details, such as shots of Clark Gable and Jimmy Stewart at the track. EXTRAS Racing stats and a pedigree chart dating back to 1893 -- Grandmare's name was Tea Biscuit!

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