War Horse

I love this movie and the bond between the horse and the boy. It is very emotional and touching to see the bond between them and their courage in front of the fighting of WW1. Their separation during the was and the tearful reunion at the end. Beautiful

Thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Well acted , great direction and cinematography. A feel good movie.

Most importantly, know that there was absolutely no glamorization of the suffering of horses in the movie! In fact, it was tame compared to real life. For instance, not one single horse was depicted as being eaten. Yes, that did happen. Also, there was not even a mention of the mules that were used in that tragic war that also met sad endings.These are also facts: Soldiers respected the animals that were used. There have been many tributes to them since that war ended. Many soldiers, as in peacetime, bonded with the horses. After the war ended, many wanted to have them shipped home, but there were quarantines in place. So, many horses were kept overseas to help fill out the ranks of remaining soldiers, such as for British forces in India.Obviously, in war, there were negatives. Just like humans, they needed food, care, and of course, when they died they needed tending to. There were many soldiers left on the battlefield. That was no different regarding the animals.So, it was common for horses and mules to be seen as much in the fray as human soldiers, and they even helped morale.As in all movies, sometimes there was over-dramatization. That is normal for every movie. In no manner or form does that denigrate the movie. Example: The British and German soldier scene in relation to the horse. That is completely plausible and believable. Things of that nature happened more than people know because there are actually true stories of such occurrences.Definitely worth the watch!

With all due respect to Spielberg, the story of War Horse existed long before the movie. The film is an adaptation of a children's story written by Michael Morpurgo over 30 years ago. It was inspired by the depictions and anecdotes from those who experienced the Great War, including a painting of horses charging through barbed wire.Real events: The backdrop of the story depicts the real conditions of warfare. Millions of horses were slaughtered on both sides of the conflict. At the dawn of the 20th century, it was the first clash between the old battle tactics with charging cavalry and the new mechanized world of tanks, machine guns and artillery. Much of the war was a 4-year long stalemate with soldiers a few hundred yards from each other in filthy trenches, separated by barricades of barbed wire and pelting poisonous gas at each other. I wonder how many people know that the term "No Man's Land" originated then, or why Nov 11th is a holiday.Story: The book tells the story of war and cruelty vs love and humanity through the eyes of the horse. As a children's book, the message is direct and inspiring. It doesn't explore the trivial politics that started the war and the meaninglessness of the devastating waste of life that followed. It speaks to the ageless human need to connect and to find hope in the midst of hopelessness. That's why dogs are universally therapeutic in children's hospitals, prisons and old-age homes. The story is captivating on it's own. I first saw it in its Broadway play adaptation. The Handspring Puppets stopped being contraptions of steel and wood manipulated by visible humans and quickly became as real and engaging as any true-life horse. I wanted to see the story again, which brings me to the movie.Movie: The story is worth 5 stars and at least 4 hankies on its own. The rating above is for this adaptation of the story. It is a worthy telling of the story of War Horse.1). Cinematography: Very good, the filming was done on location in Britain and adds immeasurably to the scenes. There are a number of wide panoramic shots of the beautiful countryside. The war scenes are grimly realistic from the mud and rats in the trenches to the mounds of spent and mutilated horses. The scenes of Joey galloping panic-stricken through the battlefield to be thoroughly entangled in barbed wire was heart-wrenching. In fact it was so real, I wondered how they did it under the watch of SPCA advocates.2). Horses: Excellent: They picked a pair of beautiful horses to be Joey and Topthorn. You can definitely see the cause for heartache of the German wrangler to be ordered to turn them into draft horses. The scene of the horses pulling the heavy artillery gun to the top of the ridge was worth a hankie by itself. Often times you can see the cues and staging of animal actors. The training and handling of these horses told the story seamlessly.3). Casting: Good: Actors probably want to stand out for their performances. For me, I think a performance is best when the actor becomes the character and doesn't stand out. I like how Jeremy Irvine was able to subtly show the boy at the beginning and the growth to manhood by the end. I especially liked Peter Mullan as his father. It was a much better depiction than in the play, although in the play the father stayed home from the Boer War. It helps to have the mother explain about Albert's father's past in the war and adding the regimental pennant as a thread through the storyline. But I thought Mullan gave depth to the character and to the family's plight. Otherwise the father is just a mean old drunk that sells the boy's horse without telling him.This movie is a great depiction of an excellent story that is worth seeing, and seeing many times. My only warning is to stock up on hankies.

I did research before I saw the movie. Warhorse is based on a book written by Michael Morpurgo. He said he was at a farm and heard a veteran of The Great War (this is what the Brit's call WWI) talking gently to a horse. The veteran would stutter when he spoke to other folks but not when he spoke to the horse. Michael Morpurgo immediately saw that there was a bond between the horse and the veteran. After talking to many veterans who survived The Great War and researching the war archives, he was shocked to learn that many, many horses, many animals perished terribly in The Great War. That the war department requested as many horses, mules, as pack animals and shipped them across to France. He found the horses, mules were blown apart, drowned in heavy mud, and other awful fates. He also learned many of the soldiers would bond with the horses in combat as the soldiers were terrified, lonely, and felt great sorrow for the pack animals. Then when it was all over, many of the remaining horses were sent to slaughter. Of the millions, perhaps only about 25,000 came back.The book is a tribute to the millions of horses that perished and to the soldiers who bonded with them, who came to love them, who cried when they saw their horses blown apart. The movie is a fine adaptation of the book. A very fine one indeed. I could hear the audience crying softly when Joey and Albert reunite. The movie was also nominated for several academy awards. Again, a fine adaptation and superb soundtrack.

The casualty rate amongst horses taken for use in WWW1 was horrendous. 8 million horses perished . This story chronicles Joey. A thoroughbred taken from his life on a farm in Devon through the events and horrors of the war. It also highlights the plight and abuse of horses during the war. Interwoven is the tale of love between Joey and his owner. Fantastic storytelling beautifully adapted for the big screen. War Horse [DVD] [2011 ] War Horse [DVD] [2011

I love films which show the love a horse can have for a person, and vice versa. So I love this film very much. It had a by-product of revealing the senselessness of warfare, when opposing sides joined together in love for the horse to set it free, then went to war against each other afterwards. Also it was terrible that horses and swords should have to try to fight against a battery of machine guns, and gas flooding the trenches. And to use horses until they drop: Was there any sense in all that? .......But a really good film for the love and revelations.

I must admit I originally poo pooed this film as I'm not particularly an animal person (unless they are roasted and covered in gravy), but I am interested in war films and seeing as this was set in the First world war I bought it, and I must say it was most enjoyable, with quite an ensemble cast too, prepare to bawl your eyes out at the end though.

After all of the wonderful hype about this film, I awaited the arrival of my copy with great anticipation. What can I say!The cinemaography is spectacular, particularly in Devonshire. One almost gasps at the beauty of the countryside. Of course Spielberg is the master of sweeping long distance shots, and for this he scores top marks in my humble opinion. The cast of the movie are well picked and the acting of a very high standard.The disappointment for me however - being an avid horse lover - was the mis-leading title - War -Yes - Horse? well not enough.The horse chosen is incredible, the friendship between boy and horse that developed, awe inspiring. Unfortunately that's where it seemed to end. The part of the valiant horse seemed to pale into the back ground and although he did seem to live through incredible adventures these were of short duration and not always easy to follow. The one lost wonder was the bond which developed between the two horses in their time of mis-fortune. Animlas are incredible and are a great deal more caring than the average human. My opinion is that Spielberg missed an opportunity to enhance this wonderful friendship.Once or twice during the movie I was reminded of scenes from other epics, which I found unsettling. The end of the movie ringing very close to the famous sceen in the great "Gone With the Wind" where Gable bids Leigh farewell as he leaves to join the cause at the end of the civil war.This is all of course the opinion of an avid horse lover and a great fan of the oldies. Sorry Steven I am sure that for many, none of the above will apply - so please try not to be too influenced by my review. The quality of the DVD, the sound and the beauty cannot be denied.

I really enjoyed this DVD. I recently attended a showing of the stage play, and decided I would like to own the DVD. Of course the DVD could show as near as possible the utter desolation and agonies of the First World War. It brought home to me how horrendous this war was for the men and the horses as so many of both died in terrible circumstances. I am glad it had a happy ending with the horse Joey and his young owner and trainer Albert being reunited once again.