Do you remember how on the last day of school term, post exams, when teachers had nothing left to teach, we’d be sat indoors watching a VHS? Maybe they’ll try the War Horse DVD from now on. It’s that kind of afternoon-devourer of a film. Blandly innocuous, inoffensive with some well-intentioned relation to historical events, Spielberg’s equine-led schmaltz-bucket lacks excitement. More
Opening in the 1910s, we are greeted with a sequence of filly and foal cantering around hillocks in a storybook Devon. Get ready for plenty more of this, says Spielberg. Unfortunately horses are not the most expressive of beasts and there is no escaping the blank-eyed, dead-brained void that the titular character provides. That’s even with John William’s incessant score providing our every emotional cue.
Joey (that’s the horse) progresses through several sequences, each populated with earnest, Dudley-do-rights that beat us over the head with heavy-handed sentiment. Finally he arrives in the muddy trenches on the Western Front, the bit where you’ll sit up and take notice, even if a sanitised lack of blood seems surprising for the director of Saving Private Ryan.
It’s vaguely notable to consider the stylistic references to classic British films, whether general (a ‘40s visual aesthetic of a romanticised, bucolic England) or specific (a cavalry charge influenced by a similar moment in Lawrence of Arabia), and Spielberg still has the odd moment of cinematic inspiration, but War Horse is a rather uninteresting film and sadly the first of the director’s that I cared nothing for. Hide
is this a joke?!? looks terrible!
Hope survives... Pity the horse doesn't. Don't buy my book.
Looks interesting
goose bumps ,Takes me back to black beauty as a kid
When it comes to non-talking animal movies it's hard to beat Milo & Otis.
Looks like a great story of a brave horse and brave soldiers. I love horses too.
Too sad! I think I'd cry too much. It does look beautiful though
what a beautifully inspring story about a brave horse
Yay an animal movie...
Will it still be called a War Horse if a Tongan stands behind it?
Looks sad but being Speilberg should end happily. Will be beautifully shot. I will see and prob cry.
calvary !!! surely not
Saw the remarkable theatrical adaptation of the book in London, Speilberg is in his element here in translating it to the big screen
wow. just wow
Steven Spielgerg does it again...Perfect!!!
Bore Horse.
another amazing story of our bonds with animals
Horse shmorse. War classic, animal film, cheesy music, emotional roller coaster, not seeing this film.
is he saying B grade at the end?
Time to retire, Spielberg
I think making movies is like driving. The older you get the crappier you get!
Two Cumberbatch movies coming out ON THE SAME DAY? This must be the most fantastic day ever!
@Smeggle No Smeggle ... It will be called a yummy Horse.
this looks like a sad movie, i don't want to cry my bf just dumped me!
Poor Genevieve is right, the movie will be sad. But Speilberg is there so will have the uplift too. Amazing CGI cinema.
Go the horse. More stories about horses - they have helped man since life as we know it begun! Magnificent animals.
OMG im gunna cry watching this
i loved the book so I'm defiantly going to see the movie!
Most amazing book and author,...
Another big YES! Love true story's
Ops so this ones not true...still will be good lol
This movie will do honour to the 1000's of horses that where wrongfully killed in WWI due to man's desire to kill one another
Is Spielberg going to blow up some horses Saving Private Ryan style? I fear the worst, blood and guts, shaky cameras, etc
Napoleonic wars, WWI, etc any which war horses were used, they mostly ended up dead or eaten. War is ugly for all animals even humans.
reas this book i cannot wait to see this!! im so gonna cry!!
Saw the stage show in London - fantastic! can't wait for the movie. Definitely take a box of tissues!
Warning! Bring tissues! Great author! Me and my old class loved him. p.s love this book read shadow or Dear Olly.
I cried during the trailer, so I'm going to bawl my eyes out when I see this.
I'm looking forward to seeing this movie. I love movies with animals like horses playing a huge role,. Gotta see this!
Read the book. Cried all the way. Am looking forward to seeing the movie!
Must go against the grain here - looks awful. Sentimental bah.
Sold to the calvary ???Is this a religous movie ? Cavalry !!!!!
you people are idiots. i just watched this movie. this movie deserves oscars. unlike the trash you watch
Spielbergs eggs the custard on this one, and then throws in many pounds of over ripe cheese. The result feels tacky and manipulative.
Very cheesy movie its a cross between Lassie Come Home and Gone With the Wind. The cheesiness spoiled the whole movie
Thought War Horse was a lovely story.. needed tissues... but not for kids.
Great movie, war scenes a bit far fetched. Good story. Box of tissues needed. Lots of issues raised in the movie - great time to reflect.
Prash, the only joke around here, is you. Judging a book by it's cover makes you a fool. Never comment on a movie again.
i am seeing it today in new market at 11:50but my best friend said it was amazing and that i have to see it!!!!!!
cant wit to seeit soon