by Julian Shea BBC Sport Online

Maguire gives a good account as jockey Johnny "Red" Pollard

If Seabiscuit's story was fictional, it would be quickly dismissed as corny nonsense. That it is true makes it all the more remarkable.

The tale follows the fortunes of horse owner (Jeff Bridges), jockey (Tobey Maguire) and trainer (Chris Cooper).

The trio's lives, blighted by the Depression, are redeemed by a race horse who makes a dramatic comeback.

Once written off through injury, Seabiscuit goes on to re-write the record books and inspire a country in the doldrums.

The horse's rise to the top is presented as if Seabiscuit were a boxer - Rocky with a Jockey - and the action of the race sequences makes up for the title star's lack of words (although someone on the credits supplies "horse vocals").

Macy is superb as reporter "Tick Tock" McGlaughlin

The film looks spectacular, seemingly shot in an endless autumn, and resembles the Marx Brothers' A Day at the Races, sharing the same era and locations.

Bridges is good as a James Stewart-type character, rebuilding his scarred life, and Maguire is convincingly obsessive as the jockey.

But William H Macy's motor-mouthed tipster steals the show, finally playing someone other than an anxious, put-upon little guy.

Seabiscuit carried the hopes (and bets) of millions of ordinary people who had suffered in the Depression.

It is an involving, if overlong, film, with only the odd lapse into corniness.

The message of achievement in times of uncertainty has proved hugely popular in the US but in countries where Seabiscuit's legend is unknown, the target audience is less obvious.

Nevertheless, any fan of feelgood cinema will be on a safe bet with this film.