War Horse!

I have been a huge Michael Morpurgo fan since I was about ten years old. My Nana took me to a bookstore and we chose some books for my Birthday present.
This was one of them;

I've read it 5 times. I saw the theatre production at the National theatre for my Birthday last year. And have been eagerly anticipating the release of this film for a whole year and a half now.

And I just got around to watching it tonight.

The book, although I only ever cried during the third read through, touched me deeply. I'm not really a huge fan of books and movies involving animals, but I'm a sucker for horses. Michael Morpurgo is the only author who has ever made stories involving animals appealing to me. That is why, to me, he is such a great writer.

The theatre production, I welled up; it was magnificent! The acting was superb, there were changes to the storyline, but they didn't bother me like they normally do. I was moved. And I would happily go and see it again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and you get the idea.......

The movie, oh so greatly anticipated; bit of a let down after the theatre production. But then again, the theatre was so impressive, I feel that Stephen Spielberg was fighting a losing battle even before he began shooting the film.

The casting was very well done,

a complete unknown for Albert Narracott;

 Jeremy Irvine - not a bad actor, but could do with some more experience; I feel he did a fairly good job for such a huge part. I'd give him a 6 out of 10 for it. I found that it was hard to connect with him sometimes. I felt that he was a bit wooden with Joey, I sometimes found it hard to believe that horse and boy had such a strong bond.

The lovely Emily Watson for Rose Narracott;

I just adored her! Her character was different to that of the book, but I liked it. Emily just looks like someones Mother, I mean that in the most flattering way possible. She just oozes motherliness (I think I just made that word up, but spell check let me have it!). She is strong, brave, loyal, supportive, yet gentle too. I love the way that she sticks by her husband, even through his drinking, and is understanding of the pain he experienced whilst away at war.

Peter Mullan for Ted Narracott;

There was something melancholy about him. He is a complex character, he says very little and what the audience knows about him mainly comes from his wife, Rose. She is the one to unravel him ever so slightly for us. Even Albert is constantly confused and frustrated by his Father and his actions.

And of course, the star of the film, Joey himself!
Of the 15 horses who portrayed Joey, the one who provided most of the 'acting', Finder, also played Seasbiscuit in the film about the famous racehorse of the same name! 

There are many other characters, played by a host of other talented actors including, Benedict Cumberbatch, David Thewlis, Tom Hiddleston, and Patrick Kennedy to name but a few.

The relationships between all three Narracotts is well played. They mesh together, bearing each others struggles, they are not perfect and there are clashes. But you can see the love between them. The genuinely care about each other even if they don't show it often, life is no picnic for them.

However the relationship between Joey and Albert is harder to see. There are moments when there seems to be warmth between the two. But I more often than not feel that the horse is a better actor than Jeremy! This is where I feel that Jeremy is wooden in his acting, and really lets the side down.

The horror of the trenches is well conveyed, the terror, and fear, the mud and discomfort. The bravery of the soldiers, on both sides, is clearly visible. The complete waste of life that was spent on that war is displayed, both men and horses.

It is a very serious film, and I felt that it could have had a few more laughs, and witty lines in particular were lacking. I did rather enjoy the scene where a German soldier corrects an English soldier's grammar though! In fact that whole scene is probably the best and most touching of the whole film, at least it was for me personally.

I welled up, once, however I had expected to bawl like a baby. Spielberg did not deliver on that front I'm afraid, and that was a disappointment. I had expected a roller coaster of emotions, but found the film dragged. Some parts were too long and drawn out, while some of the minor characters were very hard to connect with.

The character Emilie provided some light relief from the horror that is WW1 in this film. She is funny, and sweet in her own way. I found her slightly spoilt and a touch irritating, however she was like a ray of sunlight. The position of her appearance in the film is strategically placed.She shines through a storm cloud of misery and discouragement. She genuinely cares about Joey, and loves him, however she does feel like a superficial character at times.

Emilie, played by Celine Buckens, and her Grandfather, played by Niels Arestrup.

The film was able to convey themes of friendship, loyalty, love, hope, and persistence. The friendship between Andrew and Albert, and all the men in the trenches. The loyalty between comrades, family and friends, and to some extent, horses. The love between a family, who beat all the odds, and struggle to make a living. The love between a boy and his horse, although this was weakly conveyed. Hope saturates this film, the hope of life, love, and survival. Hope kept the men in the trenches alive, and brought them home. Albert has hope, and he is rewarded for it. Albert and Joey persist, they survive all odds, determined to survive. The whole Narracott family are driven and determined to beat all odds; they work hard, and stick together.

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The Narracotts and Joey.

Scenery was beautiful; music fitted each scene, blending well with each scene; lighting was very asthetic expecially towards the end of the film.

So, yes, I do reccomend it, and perhaps someone who hasn't seen the theatre production would find it easier to connect with it emotionally. It is a very good film, a well worth a watch.

On a side note, I adored Kate Middleton's dress at the Royal premiere in London's Leicster square! Isn't is gorgeous?!