January 3, 2012 -- This epic film about war and horses is told pretty much from the point of view of a horse. Many people come and go during this journey into the hell of war, but the common thread that connects them all is a thoroughbred racing horse named Joey. This is a film filled with emotion and lives torn apart by war.

While war horses were once a major part of war, they became increasing less important in the war effort, starting with World War I, which is the stage for this movie. Increasingly machines, tanks, aircraft, and all manner of gasoline powered vehicles replaced the role of horses for transportation of people and equipment. In World War I there was still mounted cavalry units with some prestige attached to them, but they were rapidly becoming obsolete.

The story opens with the birth of the foal who becomes a powerful thoroughbred. Later, Ted Narracott (played by Peter Mullan of “Braveheart”) a farmer, is so taken with the beautiful horse that he buys it in an auction, paying more than he can afford to pay, in part to spite his landlord, Lyons (David Thewlis of the Harry Potter movies) who also bids on the horse. When he gets home he has to face the wrath of his wife, Rose (Emily Watson of “Synecdoche, New York”). In order to make his investment pay off, he has to get the horse to plow a rock-strewn field for planting. This is no plow horse. Rose doubts this horse can do it, but her son, Albert (Jeremy Irvine) who loves the horse, thinks he can train the horse to plow. He names the horse Joey.

Albert is soon training the horse full time. He is even able to get Joey to come to him when he whistles. When Albert hooks Joey up to a plow the whole English village of Devon turns out to witness the event. Most think Albert is daft to try it. Lyons shows up too. He knows if the boy fails the family will not be able to make its annual payment on the farm. With a timely rain to soften the ground and a game horse, Albert is able to plow the field. However, fortunes turn against the family again, and Ted is forced to sell the horse to the English Army at the beginning of World War I. Albert vows he will find Joey again somehow.

This is no easy task, as Albert soon finds out. Of the one million horses going from England into World War I, less than one-tenth survived, only 62,000 returned to England. Joey is bought by a young officer, who takes part in a cavalry charge against a German encampment, but Joey is captured along with another British officer's horse, Topthorn. The two horses together encounter many adventures, working as draft horses, pulling ambulances, guns and other equipment for the Germans. At one point, two young German soldiers, Gunther (David Kross of “The Reader”) and Michael (Leonhard Carow) steal the two horses and go AWOL. The horses also get a brief respite from the war on a French farm under the care of Emilie (Celine Buckens) and her grandfather (Niels Arestrup of “A Prophet”).

Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film has many of the hallmarks of a Spielberg production, beautiful cinematography by Janusz Kaminski (including a lovely shot against a sunset near the end of the film) and a great soundtrack by composer John Williams, both longtime collaborators with Spielberg. The film also has top-notch production design by Rick Carter (“Forrest Gump” and “Avatar”) and great art direction from Andrew Ackland-Snow (who did several “Harry Potter” films). The acting is also very solid by all the main actors, including the horses. Although the story doesn't hang together well in some places, it has plenty of emotional power. You may need a hanky for some of the more emotional scenes. This film rates a B.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Copyright © 2012 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

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