We went to see War Horse last Saturday. Based on the children's novel of the same name by Michael Morpurgo, first published in 1982 and the 2007 stage adaptation, also of the same name it is set during World War I. Stephen Spielberg directed, the varied cast being very competent but not that well known (although I spotted Dominic Cumberbatch in there). Some 14 horses were used apparently including a main one who also took the part of Sea Biscuit.
I've not seen the stage play but I know that in the book the horse tells the story. That dramatic method was thankfully dropped. The story is told from the horse's point of view but not sentimentally or ridiculously.
We all enjoyed it (ages 10-52) and I found myself close to tears on more than one occasion as the frailty of the human condition was played out against the back cloth of poverty and war and we saw the courage, cowardice and a certain amount of madness typical of life here on earth. The certificate is 12a but that is only in light of the violent war scenes rather than anything else. Great film for the whole family and a wonderful opener for endless discussion on man and animals, war and peace, human strengths and weaknesses, etc.
No comments:
Post a Comment