War Horse Review: I Want A Pony

Steven Spielberg’s latest film, War Horse, was not one I expected to like. I didn’t expect to dislike it, exactly, but based on the trailers, it just didn’t seem like my kind of film.  And, really, it wasn’t my usual kind of movie – but, somehow, I still left the theater in total awe.

War Horse follows two primary characters, a boy named Albert (Jeremy Irvine) and his horse, Joey.  Albert’s father, Ted (Peter Mullan), is a drunk who purchases Joey despite the fact that the thoroughbred is not the proper horse for plowing their fields. But Albert grows attached to Joey, and against all odds, he manages to teach the horse to plow. The two become best friends, but with World War I on the horizon and a family to feed, Ted decides to sell Joey to the army.

Albert is angry and devastated, though he’s comforted by Captain Nicholls (Tom Hiddleston) who promises to keep an eye on Joey and keep Albert informed of how the horse is doing. But when the captain is shot in battle, Joey’s connection to Albert is severed.  Still, Albert holds out hope that one day he’ll find his horse again.

The film covers four years, the duration of the war, and it weaves together the stories of Albert and Joey, along with those whose paths Joey crosses. I want to be clear here. This is more than just a touching story about a boy and his horse. This is a story about war and the people it touches. Joey comes in contact with both German and English soldiers, as well as civilians. Their stories are told in vignettes throughout the movie, showing the audience every angle of the war going on.

Don’t be fooled by its Christmas Day release – this story isn’t just another fluffy, heartwarming horse-tale. Parts are absolutely heartbreaking and painful to watch. We are shown the tragedy that befell these “war horses” during WWI. They were forced to pull artillery often until they died. Some scenes are difficult to watch. At one point, my best friend commented, “This is worse than an ASPCA commercial.”  And it really was. If you’re an animal lover, like I am, prepare yourself.

The humans don’t fare much better in this film. In one particular scene, in which a German and British soldier work together to help free Joey from some wire, it becomes incredibly clear what a tragedy war really is. The two talk, and even joke, as they help to save the horse, and as they separate, exchanging names, one tells the other, “Keep your head down.”  In times of war, two people who would never otherwise have the need or want to shoot at each other – people who may actually have the potential to be good friends – are forced to fight and kill one another. I won’t lie. This scene had me in tears, and I’m not usually a crier.

But for all its drama, the story really is heartwarming.  Joey and Albert each have amazing stories, and you can’t help but cheer for them from the start. I left the theater smiling and saying to my friend, “I want a pony.” The film stimulated both my inner little girl, who just wants to see a pretty horse, as well as my more mature side that needs actual substance in my movies.

Really, there’s something in War Horse for everyone. If you like war movies, go see it. If you like human-animal friendship stories, go see it. If you just like beautiful cinematography – well, this is a Spielberg film, so you should definitely go see it. Just be warned that parts are upsetting, and it may not always be suitable for the youngsters. Still, I would call War Horse a family movie, perfect for an evening out during the winter break.

Images courtesy of Andrew Cooper, David Appleby and Dreamworks II Distribution Co.