War Horse (2011)

"Separated by war. Tested by battle. Bound by friendship."

Directed by Steven Spielberg
Produced by Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy
Screenplay by Lee Hall, Richard Curtis
Based on "War Horse" by Michael Morpurgo

Starring: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Niels Arestrup, Tom Hiddleston, Toby Kebbell, Peter Mullan, Patrick Kennedy

Music by John Williams
Cinematography: Janusz Kamiński
Edited by Michael Kahn
Production company: Touchstone Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, Reliance Entertainment, Amblin Entertainment, The Kennedy/Marshall Company
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios, Motion Pictures
Release date: 25 December 2011 (Canada)
Running time: 146 minutes
Country: United States, India
Budget: $66 million
Box office: $177.6 million

"War Horse" is a war drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and adapted from Michael Morpurgo's 1982 children's novel of the same name. It tells the story of young Albert who enlists to serve in World War I after his beloved horse is sold to the cavalry.

Cast

• Jeremy Irvine as Albert Narracott
• Emily Watson as Rose Narracott
• Peter Mullan as Ted Narracott
• Niels Arestrup as Grandfather
• David Thewlis as Lyons
• Tom Hiddleston as Captain James Nicholls
• Benedict Cumberbatch as Major Jamie Stewart
• Céline Buckens as Emilie
• Toby Kebbell as Colin, the South Shields soldier
• Patrick Kennedy as Lieutenant Charlie Waverly
• Leonard Carow as Private Michael Schröder
• David Kross as Private Gunther Schröder
• Matt Milne as Andrew Easton
• Robert Emms as David Lyons
• Eddie Marsan as Sergeant Fry
• Nicolas Bro as Private Friedrich Henglemann
• Rainer Bock as Brandt
• Hinnerk Schönemann as Peter, German soldier in No Man's Land
• Geoff Bell as Sergeant Sam Perkins
• Liam Cunningham as Army Doctor
• Gerard McSorley as Market Auctioneer
• Tony Pitts as Sergeant Martin
• Pip Torrens as Major Tompkins
• Philippe Nahon as French Auctioneer
• Julian Wadham as British Captain in Trench
• David Dencik as German Base Camp Officer
• Edward Bennett as Cavalry Recruiting Officer
• Johnny Harris as Infantry Recruiting Officer
• Tam Dean Burn as British Medic in Trench
• Maximilian Brückner as German Artillery Officer

Steven Spielberg is the director of the film that means a lot as he's an outstanding figure in cinematography. Each of his films becomes a significant event - and "War Horse" wasn't an exception. Personally I was looking forward to it because firstly, the film was about World War I, and secondly, it showed a friendship between a man and a horse that wasn't a thing I'd got used to see. 

During watching the film I understood that I would rewatch it and I would do that more than once. Wonderful music, a noteworthy plot, a marvellous cast, great special effects - I don't know what more is required for a good film. Although probably know - Steven Spielberg as the director in a war film which are his speciality: he can show a war so credible that viewers will feel themselves in the field.

Jeremy Irvine as Albert Narracott demonstrates a real magic - I believe in his friendship with horses (there were several animals on the set). A pain in eyes before the death of Captain James Nicholls performed by Tom Hiddleston before his death is worth much. So is a sense of superiority from Benedict Cumberbatch. Telling the truth, acting of each actors and actresses of the film affords pleasure.

Advantages

• Steven Spielberg
• Jeremy Irvine as Albert Narracott
• Tom Hiddleston as Captain James Nicholls
• Benedict Cumberbatch as Major Jamie Stewart

Disadvantages

• War is war

"Strangenesses"

• Of course, the story like this is unlikely but it's the film

Clue Moments

• The war
• Relationships between horses
• The reunion
• The separation
• Tillage

Strong relationships can come through trials even through a war. By the way, even in the field it's possible to meet a good man, not an enemy, who may help you save a horse, for example. And if in the war it's found, that might be seen in peacetime. As for me, I believe in the good in people. Maybe it's ridiculous but why not? All the bad comes from grievances and fears, especially from a fear of public opinion. It's right, isn't it?

Soundtracks

1. John Williams - Dartmoor, 1912
2. John Williams - The Auction
3. John Williams - Bringing Joey Home, And Bonding
4. John Williams - Learning The Call
5. John Williams - Seeding, And Horse Vs. Car
6. John Williams - Plowing
7. John Williams - Ruined Crop, And Going To War
8. John Williams - The Charge And Capture
9. John Williams - The Desertion
10. John Williams - Joey's New Friends
11. John Williams - Pulling The Cannon
12. John Williams - The Death Of Topthorn
13. John Williams - No Man's Land
14. John Williams - The Reunion
15. John Williams - Remembering Emilie, And Finale
16. John Williams - The Homecoming

Quotations

* * *

Albert Narracott: We'll be alright Joey. We're the lucky ones, you and me. Lucky since the day I met you.

* * *

Rose Narracott: I might hate you more, but I'll never love you less.

* * *

Michael: The food in Italy is good, yeah?
Gunther: Yes, very good.
Michael: And the women?
Gunther: Not as good as the food...
Michael: From eating too much of the food?

* * *

Emilie: And you've never done a brave thing in your life?
Grandfather: Maybe there are different ways to be brave. Did you know the French have the best carrier pigeons? And this could be the difference in the war - our messages getting through.
Emilie: I don't want to hear about the birds.
Grandfather: They are released at the front and told to go home - this is all they know. But to get there they must fly over war. Can you imagine such a thing? Here you are flying over so much pain and terror - and you know you can never look down. You have to look forward or you'll never get home. I ask you - what could be braver than that?

* * *

Maj. Jamie Stewart: Be brave! Be brave!

* * *

Rose Narracott: Some days are best forgotten. Today ain't one of them.

* * *

Base Camp Officer: What? You think a garrison on open grounds would go UNDEFENDED? Look at yourself! Who do you think you are?

* * *

You may see the trailer here.

Plot: 9/10

Entertainment: 8/10

Acting: 9/10

Originality: 9/10

Music and Sound: 8/10

9/10