RELEASE 'Seabiscuit' arrives on DVD, video

By MARTIE ZAD
WASHINGTON POST
The movie "Seabiscuit," an epic story of a down-and-out racehorse, has become an allegory for America's triumph over adversity during the Great Depression. It came to DVD and VHS this week, just in time to find its way under many Christmas trees.
This story of perseverance and triumph is based on Laura Hillenbrand's book, one of the most-widely read nonfiction books of recent years, with 2.5 million copies in print.
The movie stars Tobey Maguire as the jockey, Chris Cooper as the trainer and Jeff Bridges as the businessman -- who with Seabiscuit -- took the entire nation on a ride of a lifetime. Gary Ross directed the film that shows how Seabiscuit became a household name in the 1930s and 1940s, drawing huge crowds to his races around the country.
The VHS from Universal Studios lists for $22.98. The DVD lists for $26.98 and has such bonus features as Hillenbrand and Ross recounting Seabiscuit's rise to celebrity status. It includes footage of actual races as well as a breakdown of how a film is made from a novel, from script to costumes to casting. Bonus material in the two-disc gift set (no suggested list price) includes film of Seabiscuit's 1938 match race with War Admiral; a "Winner's Circle: The Heroes Behind the Legend" featurette; the highly lauded "The True Story of Seabiscuit" documentary; and HBO's "First Look."