War Horse DVD
Starring: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, Peter Mullan, David Thewlis
Director: Steven Spielberg
Rating: 5/5
If you have a bit of a soft spot for animal movies and find yourself blubbing at most of them, as I do, then this is a movie that you had better brace yourself for as it is a super and heart wrenching watch.
War Horse begins with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and a young man called Albert, who tames and trains him.
When they are forcefully parted, the film follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets-British cavalry, German soldiers, and a French farmer and his granddaughter-before the story reaches its emotional climax in the heart of No Man's Land.
Now Spielberg really does know how to make a war movie and the scenes in no man's land, for both the soldier and Joey, are incredibly powerful.
But the First World War is not the focus of this movie as War Horse is a film about the bond of friendship that survives everything that the war can throw at it.
Jeremy Irvine is great in the lead role of Albert as he makes his movie debut - Spielberg has a knack for discovering talent and we really should watch out for this actor over the next twelve months.
And while there are also some great, and rather moving turns, from the likes of Emily Watson and Peter Mullan it is Joey the horse who really does take centre stage in this movie.
In the stage show and book you hear Joey's thoughts throughout but that has not be included - but it's not needed. Spielberg has captured beautifully the emotions and feelings of this character.
The bond with Alfred is just so strong that it really is incredibly moving - yes I cried practically all the way through it.
Despite it's 2 hr twenty six minute running time this is a fast paced movie that takes Joey from England to the Somme.
This sweeping epic takes in some of the most beautiful landscape it really is stunning to look at.
With this movie Spielberg has just reiterated why he is considered to be one of the greatest filmmakers of all time this movie has such heart - much like E.T.
There is a great humanity, heart and optimism in the middle of all this death and destruction and Joey brings out the best in men.
This is a movie that really should not be missed but you will need several tissues!!
War Horse is out on DVD & Blu-Ray now
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw