War House

War Horse

The original book has become a well received play and now Steven Spielberg takes it to greater heights. It is am emotional saga taking place during the First World War. The horse is the vehicle for telling this epic war story. Do take sufficient Kleenex.
The film begins as we view a pastoral beautiful countryside in Devon. Everything is loving and peaceful. A young horse is born and a young lad watches in admiration and bonds with the horse called Joey. He tames the wild horse. He teaches him to pull the plow. The family farm is in danger of bankruptcy as the gloating landlord looks on. Joey and his master reap the benefits from the plowed field and we know the farm is saved.
The drama really begins when we hear that war is declared.
Joey is sold to the militia. He has caring masters and others who push him harder than he is capable of going. He carries English soldiers and eventually ends up with the Germans. They force him to carry heavy cannons in horrific conditions. Joey comes close to death several times.
Is this a story about a boy and a horse? Is this a story about the war? We see the war from both sides. Some of the English soldiers drive Joey beyond his capability. We also see a German soldier who cared deeply and tried to keep Joey from overdoing the workload.
At one point Joey escapes and tries to run away. He becomes entangles in barbed wire. It was great to see the English soldier trying to help entangle him. A German soldier came from the other side with wire cutters to help free the horse. It was a moment of peace, cooperation and serenity.
The war scenes were horrific. Steven Spielberg seems to be at his best in filming the ruthless bloody battle scenes. I would love to know how he was able to film Joey. How do you give instructions to a horse? The war scenes also portrayed enormous battle scenes. I could feel the trenches. My feet felt cold as I witnessed the soldiers walking through the wet and cold. The rats were running around. Blasts were happening in the vicinity. Many did not survive. It was horrific and the camera captured the feeling.
Was this a good film? The audience thought so and applauded. I thought the cinematography was magnificent. The film was also a little ‘over the top’. It strains credibility.
There is a large difference between great and good. This is a good film well, worth viewing. Steven Spielberg has taken on a story of great magnitude and did an admirable job.