Are they flogging a dead “War Horse”?
I don’t get a chance to go the pictures very often and when I do it is normally to see the latest “Brit Flick”. Hollywood blockbusters generally do nothing for me, and to be honest, never really have. There are always exceptions to the rule and “War Horse” has to be one of them. In London’s West End a dramatised version has been running for some time to high critical acclaim and several of my friends have been and all have recommend it highly, I however, have yet to see the stage version. Due to the sheer amount of hype, (which normally puts me off a film) I thought I would give the new film a bash and OH BOY, am I glad I did.
The story is about a fine horse belonging to a young Devonian farm lad set around the time of the break out of World War 1 and follows the horse as he travels to France and the actions that define him. The young lad enlists and ends up being sent to the front line at the Somme and, no I am not going to spoil the plot for you, but I cannot remember seeing a film so brutal in its portrayal of life and death for these young soldiers.
The scenery is breathtaking and really emphasises the horse. This is not a film about the horror of war but a film about the heroic actions of these magnificent beasts and the role they played. There are times you really do believe you know what the horse is thinking and how he is feeling. I admit, I got the hanky out after the first half hour and needed an entire packet of tissues by the end but I was left feeling so humbled by the selfless actions of these animals. The way this was shot showed what seemed to be a horse’s facial expressions and this really made the film for me as it suddenly became so real I forgot I was in a cinema!
Although this film is not going to win a Oscar for the script, I would very surprised if it did not win everything else as the way it was filmed and the locations were out of this world. There were several faces you will recognise if you watch smaller budget British film or TV drama and, of course, some you won’t. The only thing I can say that disappointed me was some rather dodgy accents; however the script is not what this film is about and it did not spoil the overall effect.
The colouring used for the backdrops reminded me of the start of “Gone with the Wind” when the sun is setting over the field at Tara and “War Horse” continues in this vein right through the film. What I enjoyed the most was the fact for the first time in years, a film was not about the latest “Hollywood star” and it was all the better for it.
This is not a film (in my humble opinion) for under 15’s. Currently it does come with a 12 rating and although I found some scenes incredibly disturbing, I was unable not to look. It does smack of a girl’s film rather than a “gung ho” boys all action movie but I would be shocked if any man could get through this without a certain stirring of emotion. Certainly I would recommend you try and see this on the big screen as I think that is the best way to serve justice to this film and I also see a Best Director Oscar in the bag for this. Go and see it and let me know what you thought.
Take Care People
Picture of War Horse poster borrowed with many thanks from Teaser-Trailer.com
15 Responses to Are they flogging a dead “War Horse”?
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I’ve heard that War Horse a very emotional movie and as I am a total horse lover, I don’t dare go to see it as I don’t want to upset myself. Angie, do you think this is reasonable, or would I make it through the film without having hysterics?
Suzan St Maur I lovingly typed…Why marketing messages are so important – and so hard to get right
Twitter: SuzanStMaur
Suze, as a fellow horse lover I found this film really hard emotionally and if you can view and remember that this is just a film then fine, but if you are emotional (as I was) to the feelings of the horse, you are going to find this hard. I can think of a partically brutal scene that made me squirm and cry but I did feel I learnt a lot about the situation and the role horses played and therefore it is an important film. I think everyone will have hysterics at this film but worth it in the long run. Go see it and take a friend to hold your hand! Let me know how you get on and thanks for your comments. Angie
Twitter: Angiewelly1
Hi Angie, I have tickets to see the London production in August and I can’t wait! Not so sure I wanted to see the film but I may persuade someone to come with.
I have heard it is a very powerful film.
Lynn Tulip I lovingly typed…Top Tips for Interviews
Twitter: LynnTulip
I hear the show is most excellent although I have yet to see it and I did not even know this was a book! I prefer to read the book rather than see the film normally however this film is one of the most striking i have seen in years and I am not surprised everyone is talking about it. Please let me know what you thought of the show and thanks very much for your comments. Angie.
Twitter: Angiewelly1
I actually read the book over Christmas as my nine year old daughter got two copies of it. Did you realise that it’s a young person’s book?
The film rating of 12a meant that I could make the decision over whether to take K or not, as it’s written by one of her favourite authors I took the gamble, having explained to her beforehand what she was likely to see.
I expected it to be shocking in places, but both of us were fine, it’s certainly a very visual film, but it has to be said there were times when the whole cinema laughed as well as cried.
The movie is different in places to the book, but it’s still a beautiful story and you just have to decide in advance how mature your child is and if it could affect them.
Helen Stothard I lovingly typed…Is your accounting system working with you or against you?
Twitter: helenstothard
Helen, you made a very valid point having read the book you could make an informed choice on whether it was suitable for your children. I actually had no idea this was a book so comments here are teaching me a thing or two! I hope you both enjoyed the movie and it does take you from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other and what a wonderful subject for you and your children to bond over. Thanks for your comments, Angie.
Twitter: Angiewelly1
Helen, I was planning on seeing this film at the cinema. I hadn’t realised the book was a children’s one so, I’ll be looking out for that one as well. I too usually prefer to read the book before seeing on the BIG screen. Sounds like this needs to be seen there rather than on DVD pfahh. Now then when can I get a babysitter in to make the necessary arrangements.
Amanda
Twitter: Amanda_Thomas
Angie
I too got the Gone With The Wind homage and, if anything, had we not got that reverential vibe, I think those bits might have been cheesy, don’t you? That aside, I loved the film too, not having either read the book or seen the play. The film was so long it cost me £40 in a parking ticket and I didn’t even mind! I had to sit through all the titles right to the end and was chuffed to read that it was filmed entirely on location in England and at Twickenham film studios, so fabulous for our balance of payments too! Great British acting both known and unknown, this is why we used to go to the movies. Do see this at the cinema, not on DVD. It’s one of those which needs to be seen on the Big Screen.
J
Judith Morgan I lovingly typed…What’s In A Blog?
Twitter: JudithMorgan
Judith, I am glad I am not the only one who got the “Gone with the Wind” thing! I agree its a film for the cinema rather than DVD and it does have some cheesy moments but I believe they were justified in the long run. I too like the fact it was all filmed here and shows what wonderful films can be produced on a smaller budget with a pretty much, unknown cast. Sorry to hear about the parking ticket but to be honest, I would also consider it money well spent. Thanks for your comments, Angie.
Twitter: Angiewelly1
I am an animal love I am not going to see this movie because I know I will be crying like a little baby before it even ends!
Scary Stories I lovingly typed…Happy Birthday Edgar Allan Poe!
I was in tears within half hour! If I had known what effect this film would have on me I am not sure I would have seen it but I did learn loads so perhaps the outcome outweighs the tears. Why not read the book instead. Thanks for your comments. Angie
Terrific film, totally agree with all you say here. I had not read the book nor seen the play either. It was No 10 on my list of films to see so I was not really that bothered whether I saw it or not…. I found myself going due to lack of choice at my local and was I glad that I did. This film moved me to tears in so many places and when I cry in a movie that means the move has touched me….
The parts that made me wince were pretty awful but otherwise I think it was great, really really great. No Hollywood celebs in starring roles, as you say, the script was not that great but the whole package was an Oscar winner as far as I’m concerned.
Brilliant, absolutely terrific.
Twitter: biancatait
Hi Bianca, I am glad you enjoyed the film and it sounds like it affected us both in the same way. Having seen this film are you inspired to see the stage performance or read the book? Thanks for your comments Angie.
Well Angie I am never usually of a mind to read a book AFTER seeing the film as in my experience the book is always much better and so I prefer to read them first.
The jury is still our on going to see the Play…. I’m thinking about that one.
You?
Bianca
Twitter: biancatait
I have to agree with you regarding the book, they do tend to be better than the film and I have just bought a copy from Amazon so will let you know what I think. As several friends have seen the stage production and recommend it highly personally I will see if I still want to go after reading the book otherwise it might just be overkill if you know what I mean! All the best Angie.