MovieChat Forums > Racing Stripes (2005) Discussion > If you want to see a GOOD horse movie...

If you want to see a GOOD horse movie...

posted 17 years ago by sel795
23 replies | jump to latest

the go watch 'Seabiscuit' or 'Hidalgo' or even 'Virginia's Run.' This movie was awful. I don't know about you all, but I, being a horse lover, found this movie to be utterly unrealistic and stupid. First of all, zebras are too short to run fast. Besides that, they're backs are wayyy too long. Sorry, there is no way this could have happened. Furthermore, a zebra would NEVER be allowed in a race with Thoroughbreds. And as for Sandy, the jumping Arabian - WTF?? Everyone knows Arabians aren't going to jump at international levels. If you know shxt about horses, you may like this movie, but anyone out there who knows anything about horses needs to see 'Black Beauty.'

[–] pinkeyedpixie 17 years ago

You're being pathetic! If you wanted a "a real horse movie" why bother with a kid's film based on a zebra who can race?! if you have that attitude, then i suggest you never bother with a disney film - i'm guessing you don't believe that bears can dance or sing or anything like that either ? it's a child's film, they don't care if zebra's are capable of racing or not; it's imaginative and fun. you obviously know a bit about horses and wanted to show off a bit. that's fine, just don't start on something we all know is unreal; some of us have younger siblings who adore this film, whether its believable for us or not. you obviously know shxt about kids!

[–] sunset8700 17 years ago

I raced a zebra in the kentucky derby this year, and i plan to race an ostriche next year, so I don't know what the first guy was talking about it being 'unrealistic'. The movie was actually a documentary, if u bothered to read the credit at the end.

[–] marys_poison 17 years ago

I ride and i no a fair bit about horses, black beauty is one of my favourite films of all time. But theres no harm in a good fun film that yes is completely unrealistic (the way the horses act, all the animals hanging out together) but its up-lifting and an all round feel good film.
This film does hold a serious message to about the world of racing and how cruel and materealistic many people (not everyone) involved are and that true sprit and determination can win over money and snobbery! I love the fact that this is shows that anyone can achive what they want to if they really try, what better message to give to kids.

[–] dancequeen407 17 years ago

This movie and Flicka are my favorite horse movies.

[–] koris-guy 14 years ago

And then they'll enter the real world, and discover that that's a lie...

[–] adam_uk09 17 years ago

This isn't a movie that is enjoyable due to its factual content. It is a comedy for children about a daughter who is doing something she believes in. So what if it is not factually correct. Who cares? People who looked at this film and wanted a factual based film are pathetic.

It's for children and children loved it!

[–] BlackWolfRising 17 years ago

I have to agree with the OP's estimation. Racing Stripes is a retelling of the "alienation" story angle.

First of all...yeah, I could imagine a zebra winning a horse race. Sure, Thoroughbreds are born to run fast, but since when have they been chased, day in and day out, by...lions, leopards, hyaenas? I can guarantee that that zebra's grandparents and going back further than the TB breed's been in existence, had to deal with that every single day of their lives.

That aside...and I'm specifically referring to the scene where Stripes gets beaten up by a gang of Thoroughbreds...the Arab mare didn't want to leave him and had to be "escorted" away by two young TB colts. Question to and from people with horse experience:

When's the last time any of you ever heard of a MARE letting a couple of smart-ass, rank-and-file colts make her do something she didn't want to do?!? If this film had anything close to realism, that mare would have done a Bruce Lee scene on the both of them.And I thought that was what was going to happen. I saw the situation developing and thought, "Oh boy. She's gonna moidalize those kids and Stripes will owe her his life on a silver platter."

What?! WHAT??!?! WHAAAAT!! The Glove is losing its touch!! — Chief Blue Meanie

[–] kevinman4404 17 years ago

I own a zebra in Canada, yes they are tubbier, with a donkey-ish stature. On the other hand theyre legs are many, many times stronger, and they at least compete with TBs speedwise, if not training-wise. If you selectively breed them to be more horse-like, they can be faster.

I would have liked a realistic zebra-oriented movie but this filled its objective pretty well.

[how silly of the first poster]

[–] darencogdon-1 17 years ago

Apparently a Zebra HAS been raced before....

Yeah, I'm a horsey person, and I do enjoy this movie as it's fun, but does have a serious message hidden in it. Who CARES about realism?!

IF you want me to nitpick about realism, show me a war film - I'll pick the crap out of it!

[–] sel795 16 years ago

Here's the thing.

The movie should be enjoyable for EVERYONE, not just kids.

Which means it shouldn't be nearly as ridiculous as it was.

I mean, come ON, Sandy could have been a Thoroughbred, Warmblood, Hanoverian, Trakhener, Oldenburg, or a frickin' Welsh Pony even. How many breeds in the world are there that CAN jump? Why did she have to be an Arabian?

And maybe for the race it could've been a backyard thing, not the Kentucky Derby.

At least with some small changes like that the film could have been able to have the same effect on kids while at the same time not make horsey people drop their jaws at its stupidity.

[–] suttle-2 16 years ago

I've seen appaloosa (a stock breed) jump up to 4 ft. I've seen a dutch warmblood that was afraid of a 1 ft jump. Just because a horse is bred for something doesn't mean it will fit that purpose or won't succeed in a different discipline.

If your complaining about the accuracy of a zebra beating a thoroughbred, then question another, horse movie (one of the best horse movies of all time). The Black Stallion. There is a saying in on the track. You time a Thoroughbred with a stop watch and an Arabian with a sun dial. In a long race, an arabian couldn't win. So if your bashing this film because of racing then You have to bash what some call the best horse movie of all time.

Also the size of a horse doesn't determine its speed. War Admiral was only 15 hands while Secretariat was 16.2 hands. Both won the triple crown.

"A one night stand may be over by morning but syphilis last forever"

[–] dandaman_2 17 years ago

wow, shut up kevinman4404

[–] Adec 17 years ago

I love the fact that all these people who wine about this film being unrealistic just because a zebra could never beat a thoroughbred horse in a race, never seem to complain about the fact that the animals can all talk, or that different types of animals all hang out together or whatever.

It's a kid's fantasy film, not a documentary, so get over it already.

[–] distant 17 years ago

First of all, zebras don't talk...

[–] Ely-girl 17 years ago

well it is a childrens film! Most animals usually do talk in childrens film. I'm just glad they didn't sing.

My signature -

[–] clrinsight 16 years ago

My children and I enjoyed Virginia's Run much more than this movie. Kids are the best critics. I agree with the post, and the only reason Racing Stripes was popular was because of money spent on marketing.

[–] jefrma 16 years ago

Well I knew an arabian horse that jumped really high. Maybe about 1m20cm at best. He was one frisky horsie!

[–] sel795 16 years ago

Just FYI, i'm 16 years old.

Not a grownup.

And I have a little sister who loves this movie.

That's the only reason I've even seen it.

...and it's the reason I hate it so much.

[–] TheEighthHorsie 16 years ago

By far the best horse movie ever made is The Black Stallion.
Sencondly, the 90's take on Black Beauty cos it's the closest to the book.

Buslady
Faithful fan and friend of Big Red and Raphael

[–] 16 years ago

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