The Derby Stallion (2005)

You won't be disappointed!

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

A disillusioned old horse trainer befriends a teenage boy struggling to form his own identity. The old man has trouble with alcohol; the boy with bullies. His father is pushing his love--baseball--on the boy, who does not have interest.I was struck by the beauty of the authentic filming location and the realistic ambiance that pervades the scenes, particularly through the sounds of nature. Heartwarming musical scores complete the effect of a "feel good" movie experience, which is the type I prefer. The closing credits roll as Billy Preston sings "Winner," wrapping up another good-triumphs-over-evil movie.

Horses and Zac Efron, a match made in cinematic heaven, right? Oh, how you could not be more wrong. Although I find Zac Efron to be one of the hottest (if not the hottest) man on the planet, his perfect body and alluring charm did not even captivate me enough to keep my eyes open. From an equestrian's point of view, this movie was also terrible. The fact that it's impossible for someone to become a steeplechaser in several weeks makes the plot completely fallible (I've been riding for 7+ years and I am no where near ready, and I compete at 3'). Not to mention the plot already was completely predictable. But whatever. Apparently if you are a really hot, oppressed teenage boy whose parents want you to be a "real" athlete and play baseball, you can get on a horse (after falling more times than is really necessary, the horse was already trained and it was rearing/bucking? Come on. A horse does not need to gain "trust" necessarily for you to sit on its back), be jumping cross rails in a week (over and over, might I add, which proved absolutely nothing), and be steeple chasing in a few months. If you don't know what steeple chasing is, it's basically a race, but you jump. So a race with X amount of horses all jumping the same things at the same time going speeds that regular racehorses are at. Pretty much racing only 100x more dangerous. And it's definitely not Zac Efron jumping, obviously, since none of the camera angles are of his whole body during the entire race scene. Oh, and guess who wins?

I will begin by saying that the only reason I watched this movie is because I like Zac Efron and was curious to see his other work. Considering the film hasn't received much attention outside of the Zac Efron fanbase, I had my reservations about how the film might turn out. Unfortunately, I wasn't mistaken.'The Derby Stallion' has a very straightforward, some might even say cliché, storyline: a boy befriends an older-mentor archytype (think an old, black Yoda) and needs to learn how to ride steeplechase in order to compete against his rival and win the big derby at the climax of the film.The film starts out with 15 year old Patrick in conflict with his dad who wants him to become a star baseball player. Instead, Patrick spends his time hanging out with the local town drunk, Bill Cobbs' Houston Jones, who regales him with tales of being a steeple chase rider. Naturally his parents disaprove of their friendship but this changes when Patrick takes an interest in riding and wants to compete in the big derby. Everything is going great until Houston passes away and Patrick, consumed by grief and lacking in confidence, decides to quit riding. At the last minute, he changes his mind and everything is set right. The film ends with a shot of Patrick leaving his trophy at Houston's grave, his family at his side.The film is typically corny, rife with a very predictable storyline and the usual conflicts/resolutions that one might find in most family films. However, the ending of the film is so hasty and anti-climactic that I couldn't but help feel like it was done in a very half-assed way. Also, as many others have pointed out, the fact that the Patrick character becomes so skilled in such a short period of time defies logic and the so-called 'relationship' between horse and jockey is seems shaky at best.The one bright spot is Bill Cobbs who does a fairly decent job portraying the relationship of Houston's 'Yoda' to Patrick's 'Luke' (yes, there's even a line in the film that is essentially paraphrases "Do, or do not. There is no try."). Other than that the film is forgettable. I'm sure there will be enough interest generated by Zac Efron's celebrity to get the film seen, but any serious rider, as others have previously posted, will find the premise and execution weak.Edited for typo.

I really enjoyed this film. The acting was great and Zac Efron did some really nice work.I was drawn to this film because I ride horses and like racing. I didn't know much about Steeplechase before this movie. It is cool...looks pretty hard and a little dangerous but fun. I also enjoyed Houston Jones character and his relationship with Zac's character, "Patrick". It reminded me of my relationship with my granddad.The parents were good too, and the girl that plays Jill, is hot! My mother liked the film too, and said she would recommend it to her friends to buy for their kids because its a family movie that she enjoyed watching with me. There are some surprises in it that I won't tell you. Randy's character is a good bad guy. I think you will like it as much as I did!