“Secretariat” Blu-ray Combo Pack Review

On January 25th, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment released an amazing movie on DVD and Blu-ray called Secretariat.  If you haven’t seen it, you need to get out and check it out immediately!  Secretariat stars Diane Lane, John Malkovich, Dylan Walsh, James Cromwell, Kevin Connolly, Nelsan Ellis, Margo Martindale, Fred Thompson, and AJ Michalka.  You can purchase Secretariat on DVD and Blu-ray in stores and online.  The DVD retails for $29.99 and the Blu-ray Combo pack retails for $39.99.

SYNOPSIS:

Disney presents an astonishing true story bursting with hope, heart and courage.  Diane Lane and John Malkovich lead a celebrated cast in this inspirational motion picture from the producers of Miracle, Invincible, and The Rookie.

Behind every legend, lies an impossible dream.  Witness the spectacular journey of an incredible horse named Secretariat and the moving story of his unlikely owner, a housewife who risked everything to make him a champion.  Out of the gate with never-before-seen bonus features, Secretariat is hours of pulse-pounding entertainment for the whole family!

“This is one of the year’s best films,” states Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times.  “Has received great critical acclaim and receiving Oscar buzz! ‘4 stars’.”

The home entertainment debut of the critically acclaimed Secretariat will keep audiences engaged for hours on end with never-before-shared in-depth interviews with Penny Chenery, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes and more on the story of one of the greatest accomplishments in sports history.

“Secretariat belongs in the The Winner’s Circle.  It’s one of the Best Family Films of the Year!” said CBS News, and Pete Hammond of Boxoffice Magazine called the film, “A truly exciting, beautifully made movie that makes a run for the heart and will have you standing up and cheering.  Secretariat is thrilling and inspiring entertainment for everyone.  Diane Lane is wonderful.  John Malkovich is terrific.  It’s this year’s Blind Side.”

“A remarkable story that lifts our spirits, Secretariat is a winner! …. and the luminous Diane Lane’s tour de force performance is unforgettable!” writes Jeff Craig of Sixty Second Preview.

From the Producers of Miracle, Invincible and The Rookie, Secretariat features critically acclaimed performances by an all-star cast that includes Diane Lane (Unfaithful, Under The Tuscan Sun, Nights in Rodanthe), John Malkovich (Con Air, Burn After Reading, Being John Malkovich), Dylan Walsh (Congo, The Lake House, The Stepfather), James Cromwell (L.A. Confidential, The Green Mile, The Queen), Kevin Connolly (“Entourage,” He is Just Not Into You, John Q), Nelsan Ellis (True Blood, The Soloist, The Express, Warm Springs), Margo Martindale (Million Dollar Baby, Orphan, Dead Man Walking), Fred Thompson (Die Hard 2, In the Line of Fire, Cape Fear), and AJ Michalka (The Lovely Bones, Cow Belles, Haversham Hall).

DISC BONUS FEATURES:

BLU-RAY:

The same as the DVD, plus…..

– Choreographing The Races – This piece looks at how director Randall Wallace and the filmmakers used innovative tools and technology to accurately and excitingly recreate the Triple Crown races that make the viewer feel like they are standing on the backstretch themselves.

– A Director’s Inspiration: A Conversation With The Real Penny Chenery – Director Randall Wallace sits down with Secretariat owner Penny Chenery to review the movie and some of the key scenes.  Penny reflects on what it was like to have been a woman in a male dominated sport and to have been part of horse racing’s most exciting moments in history.

– Audio Commentary By Director Randall Wallace – View the film with optional audio commentary from Director Randall Wallace.

– Deleted Scenes With Optional Audio Commentary By Director Randall Wallace – The same deleted scenes as the DVD, plus four more….

—- Alternate Opening
—- Introduction
—- “Are You A Golfer?”
—- No Time To Rest

– Secretariat Multi-Angle Simulation – Relive Secretariats triumphant 1973 Preakness race by viewing the race from a number of perspectives as well as listening to commentaries from fans, announcers and even the jockey who rode Secretariat to their record finish.

DVD:

– Heart Of A Champion – This feature takes a look at one of the most famous thoroughbred horses ever known.  Secretariat was a horse with style as well as amazing speed and an unsurpassed racing record.  We interview all the key players from the day as well as today’s filmmakers to learn more about the horse affectionately called “Red.”

– Deleted Scenes With Optional Audio Commentary By Director Randall Wallace

—- Director Introduction
—- Memories
—- Seth Joins The Team
—- Too Soon To Celebrate

– Music Video – AJ Michalka “It’s Who You Are”

EST:

The same as the DVD plus…..

– Choreographing The Races

DISC SPECIFICATIONS

Street Date:  January 25, 2011
Suggested Retail Price:  2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack = $39.99 US / $44.99 Canada
1-Disc DVD = $29.99 US / $35.99 Canada
Rated:  US: PG – for brief mild language
Canada:  G
Feature Run Time: Approximately 123 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Blu-ray Sound: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital
French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
DVD Sound: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1
Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Languages: English, French, & Spanish
Subtitles: English SDH, French & Spanish

Trailer

Playful Big Red (Bonus)

Are You a Golfer (Deleted Scene)

Time of Her Life (Bonus)

Already Won (Bonus)

What Do You Think (Film)

Heated Press (Film)

Diner Deal (Film)

MY THOUGHTS

I really loved this movie!  It was one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time! The DVD has some great Special Features, but the Blu-ray Disc is packed with Special Features! Our favorite Special Feature was “A Director’s Inspiration: A Conversation With The Real Penny Chenery.” The actors did an amazing job and it was a wonderful movie.  Thank you to Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment for such an amazing movie!!!

I received a copy of “Secretariat” in the Blu-ray Combo Pack from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment to facilitate this review.  All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.