> REVIEW
_____________________________________________________
War Horse (2012)
Separated by war. Tested by battle. Bounded by friendship…
_____________________________________________________
By Matt Arnoldi | January 2012
DIRECTOR: Steven Speilberg
WRITER(s): Lee Hall/Richard Curtis/Michael Morpurgo (source)
Coming in at a gallop just in time for the Oscars, is Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of War Horse, an epic adventure story based on the bestselling children’s’ novel by Michael Morpurgo, which has already enjoyed Broadway and West End success.
Lee Hall and Richard Curtis’ script tells the story of a horse sold to aid the British Cavalry’s war effort in World War One. Apparently over two million horses were engaged in the war on the Allied side alone.
We first see fine colt Joey at a local auction where farmer Ted (Peter Mullan) is supposed to be buying a shire horse to plough the fields. He not only ends up with an unsuitable horse but also one that is very expensive, much to the delight of cunning landlord Lyons (David Thewlis) who bids against him. The price shocks his wife Rose (Emily Watson) but Ted’s son Albert (Jeremy Irvine) takes a shine to the colt immediately.
When Britain gets dragged into war in 1914, the call goes out for the nation’s resources to support the war effort. Ted sees an opportunity to recoup his money and not telling son Albert, sells his prize horse to Army Officer Capt Nichols (Tom Hiddleston). Nichols promises to return the horse to a crestfallen Albert after the war, and Albert, too young to enlist, ties a scarf around his companion in the hope of one day being reunited.
The film then follows the surprising odyssey of the horse which in the chaos of the war, ends up having several owners and one or two companions before it finds its way into the hellish conditions of the second battle of the Somme. Will he survive? Will Albert ever see him again?
Rather in keeping with Les Miserables, War Horse is a film that seeks to show the devastation and pointlessness of war through a series of episodes that takes the plot in different directions.
Spielberg proved to be a master in Saving Private Ryan in showing the harsh realities of war. Here he wants to show through scenes of the awful trench warfare of the Battle of the Somme just what it was like for the soldiers holed up on both sides as well as for the horses supporting their efforts.
The effect of showing the pitilessness of war through the eyes of a horse gives Spielberg’s film a devastating focus but the effects are slightly diffused by the number of the sub-plots and an overlong run-time.
Rather like in other films where animals figure highly such as Black Beauty or Lassie, there are times whilst watching Spielberg’s sprawling epic adventure, when you know you’re going to have to suspend disbelief. You know full well that given the true nature of World War One gunfire, the chances for survival for a large strapping horse would in real life be slender to the point of no existence.
The level of sentimentalism in the film may prove a turn-off for those either seeking a serious film about the First World War whilst the impressive production values only manage to match the clever stage puppetry witnessed in the theatre renditions.
That said, the cinematography from long-time Spielberg collaborator Janusz Kaminski is truly excellent and there are one or two memorable moments when War Horse manages to tug the heartstrings, most notably when the war horse of the title comes up against a tank and runs the gauntlet of gunfire in No Man’s Land.
On the acting front, the most memorable performances come from, Jeremy Irvine as Albert, Niels Arestrup playing a benevolent ageing French farmer and Celine Buckens as his ill grand-daughter, but Joey the horse, Finder’s Key (of Seabiscuit fame) is the undeniable star of the show.
Unsurprisingly the film serves to highlight the ridiculousness of war whilst also revealing moments of hope, humanity and tenderness shown by people towards the war horses. The sentimentalism is certainly overdone, but Spielberg manages to keep it on course and it’s fascinating to view the First World War from such a unique perspective.
Script…………………………………………………………………………………………….
Lee Hall’s script was polished by Richard Curtis and the close collaboration
between Spielberg and Curtis has produced positive results. 4
Direction………………………………………………………………………………………..
Spielberg is back on familiar territory, ably supported by long-time
collaborators on the editing, photography and sound fronts, he certainly
doesn’t disappoint. 4
Verdict…………………………………………………………………………………………..
A tad over-long with a plot that is almost episodic, but with fine
cinematography and a screenplay that for the most part enthrals, Spielberg once again manages to deliver a film that will satisfy the masses. 4
follow Junsui Films on facebook