This being a Steven Spielberg epic set during WWI, I knew I'd have to experience it in the theaters. Mostly for a historical perspective, to perhaps better understand the Great War. It's funny how Hollywood has given us numerous WWII classics, yet hardly any classics concerning the second worst war in human history. The film is based off a children's novel written by Michael Morpurgo. I just went this past weekend with Philip, and walked out with some mixed reviews, perhaps because my expectations were too high.
The Plot
The film War Horse begins in the county of Devon, England where a farmboy named Albert develops a close bond with the family's new horse named Joey. Joey is a wild and strong horse from the start, yet Albert is able to control him, and together they are able to plow the farm, and save the family's land. At the start of the war however a storm destroys the family's crops, and Albert's father sells the horse out of frustration. This of course angers Albert, who vows to one day reunite with his horse Joey.
The second act of the film, then turns to Joey and his many adventures throughout the war. He is first drafted as a valiant stead for a British Captain. Yet the Captain is killed in a charge, and Joey is captured by the German army. In the German Army he is assigned to pull an ambulance wagon, and makes good friends with a black horse named, Topthorn. One night two German boys use the horses to desert from the war, and are later captured and executed. The horses are hidden in a French farm. In the French farm a young girl and her grandfather, hide the horses from the Germans. The girl falls in love with the two horses, and tries to teach them how to jump. The two horses are later captured again by the German Army.
The story then shifts over to 1918, the final months of the war where Albert has now enlisted in the British Army, with several of his friends from Devon. In the Battle of the Somme, Albert engages in a suicide charge through no-man's land and miraculous makes it through. Meanwhile on the German side, Joey and Topthorn are being used to pull heavy artillery, which eventually causes Topthorn to die of exhaustion. A few moments later, perhaps out of sheer frustration, Joey escapes from the Germans in the midst of a battle, and eventually gets caught in barb-wire. This is perhaps the most thrilling scene of the movie! He is later rescued by both an English and German soldier, who barter over it's ownership. The horse is then taken to a British hospital, where it is miraculously reunited with Albert, who is recovering from a gas bomb. After some dispute over the horse's ownership Albert is finally able to reclaim Joey, and return to his family in Devon.
Final Review
The movie may have been rated PG-13, yet at times seemed more like a family film full of far too many cliches. Unlike the gory film of Saving Private Ryan, Spielberg took an entirely different route and showed minimal blood by using artistic shots and editing. Yet even though it may have lacked a little bit of realism, the story was still quite unique, and created a detailed perspective on WWI. The film definitely succeeded in creating a historical period with amazing landscapes. For example the opening green pastures of Devon County are breathtaking, and perfect for introducing the protagonist of Joey.
This film is a typical Hollywood epic, with good acting, special effects, costumes, storyline, and also the music. Film Composer, John Williams, comes through once again with another powerful score. Yet in my opinion it's the direction that deserves most recognition. Steven Spielberg delivers several exhilarating and dramatic moments in this film, that capture both the brilliance of this horse and the magnitude of the war. From the beginning to the end you are rooting for the horse Joey, with scenes such as the field plowing, the British charge, the pulling of the German cavalry, and Joey's glorious escape through no-man's land. Spielberg's greatest achievement in this film is that he is able to establish a horse as the heroic protagonist and driving force of the movie. This is truly original direction, that deserves some Academy recognition.
The Plot
The film War Horse begins in the county of Devon, England where a farmboy named Albert develops a close bond with the family's new horse named Joey. Joey is a wild and strong horse from the start, yet Albert is able to control him, and together they are able to plow the farm, and save the family's land. At the start of the war however a storm destroys the family's crops, and Albert's father sells the horse out of frustration. This of course angers Albert, who vows to one day reunite with his horse Joey.The second act of the film, then turns to Joey and his many adventures throughout the war. He is first drafted as a valiant stead for a British Captain. Yet the Captain is killed in a charge, and Joey is captured by the German army. In the German Army he is assigned to pull an ambulance wagon, and makes good friends with a black horse named, Topthorn. One night two German boys use the horses to desert from the war, and are later captured and executed. The horses are hidden in a French farm. In the French farm a young girl and her grandfather, hide the horses from the Germans. The girl falls in love with the two horses, and tries to teach them how to jump. The two horses are later captured again by the German Army.
The story then shifts over to 1918, the final months of the war where Albert has now enlisted in the British Army, with several of his friends from Devon. In the Battle of the Somme, Albert engages in a suicide charge through no-man's land and miraculous makes it through. Meanwhile on the German side, Joey and Topthorn are being used to pull heavy artillery, which eventually causes Topthorn to die of exhaustion. A few moments later, perhaps out of sheer frustration, Joey escapes from the Germans in the midst of a battle, and eventually gets caught in barb-wire. This is perhaps the most thrilling scene of the movie! He is later rescued by both an English and German soldier, who barter over it's ownership. The horse is then taken to a British hospital, where it is miraculously reunited with Albert, who is recovering from a gas bomb. After some dispute over the horse's ownership Albert is finally able to reclaim Joey, and return to his family in Devon.
Final Review
The movie may have been rated PG-13, yet at times seemed more like a family film full of far too many cliches. Unlike the gory film of Saving Private Ryan, Spielberg took an entirely different route and showed minimal blood by using artistic shots and editing. Yet even though it may have lacked a little bit of realism, the story was still quite unique, and created a detailed perspective on WWI. The film definitely succeeded in creating a historical period with amazing landscapes. For example the opening green pastures of Devon County are breathtaking, and perfect for introducing the protagonist of Joey.
This film is a typical Hollywood epic, with good acting, special effects, costumes, storyline, and also the music. Film Composer, John Williams, comes through once again with another powerful score. Yet in my opinion it's the direction that deserves most recognition. Steven Spielberg delivers several exhilarating and dramatic moments in this film, that capture both the brilliance of this horse and the magnitude of the war. From the beginning to the end you are rooting for the horse Joey, with scenes such as the field plowing, the British charge, the pulling of the German cavalry, and Joey's glorious escape through no-man's land. Spielberg's greatest achievement in this film is that he is able to establish a horse as the heroic protagonist and driving force of the movie. This is truly original direction, that deserves some Academy recognition.
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