The deafening sound of thudding hooves; the blurs of color in the stands above. Horseracing is not new to Hollywood, but Disney’s Secretariat, released on October 8, manages to rise above this genre’s predictability through the exceptional filming and the poignancy of the actors’ performances.

While he is nicknamed Big Red to family and friends, everyone else knows this dauntless young colt as “Secretariat.” Based on a true story, Secretariat traces the journey of Penny Chenery Tweedy (Diane Lane), as she trains her valiant steed to become one of the greatest racehorses of its time.

Penny takes over her father’s stables when he becomes too ill for the responsibility, and she must juggle her life as the mother of four, a housewife, and now a prominent horse owner. As a rare female involved in the racehorse business, Penny must face criticism from both her husband and news reporters for being “the first lady of horse racing.”

The movie does more than tell the story of an extraordinary horse, as it also traces the transformation of Penny, who emerges as a figure just as courageous and inspirational as Secretariat himself. She exhibits her passion for horseracing through her unfaltering faith in her horse and her own destiny.

A true story filled with rich emotional appeal, the movie captures the heartwarming bond between Penny and her horse from the beginning of his life. The poignant scene when Secretariat is born touches viewers’ hearts, as we witness the miracle of life at its finest moment. Just as Penny is overcome with joy at the birth of her new horse, the audience is awestruck by the remarkable strength of a young colt that will soon become a timeless legend.

Known for her 1979 starring role in A Little Romance, Oscar nominee Diane Lane established a bond with the horse – who happens to be the real Secretariat’s grandson – that really clicked, and her affection for the story is evident through her stunning performance (read more on www.talonwp.com). Another starring actor, John Malkovich, plays the trainer Lucien Laurin, and like Lane, he matches the competitive vigor of Secretariat in the spirit and perseverance that made the team exceptionally compatible.

Although Secretariat is captivating and full of heart, the storyline is still predictable. Any horse-racing enthusiast above this generation would already know about Secretariat’s triumph in the renowned Triple Crown races in 1973. Yet, the story is told with remarkable poignancy that captures the viewers’ imagination despite its predictable plotline. The true story behind the movie also does lend enough energy to captivate viewers throughout the two-hour film.

According to Director Randall Wallace in a press conference with The Winged Post and other journalists, using a horse as one of the main characters was among the biggest challenges in producing this movie. Filmed in Louisiana and Kentucky, the horse racing was captured in an expert way that compels the audience to experience the turbulence of the ride on screen just as the horse rider does. The expert camera work and filming was critical in involving the audience in the exhilarating races, and the adrenaline that builds up as Secretariat’s thuds across the tracks is heart-pounding enough to keep us at the edge of our seats. The majesty as Secretariat dashes across the finishing line leads to the heartwarming embrace between him and Penny, a defining moment that resonates with the audience even after the movie.

Deserving of the name “superhorse,” Secretariat and his extraordinary powers remain an enigma to this day – yet his heartwarming tale transcends history through this film, which serves to remind audiences of the remarkable story of courage and strength that Penny and Secretariat have to offer.