War Horse Film and Score Review

By: Arlene R. Weiss

War Horse movie poster

Director and co-producer Steven Spielberg was so moved by War Horse‘s timeless anti-war story that he expounded, “From the moment I read [Michael] Morpurgo’s novel, War Horse, I knew this was a film I wanted DreamWorks® to make. Its heart and its message provide a story that can be felt in every country.”

Written by British author Michael Morpurgo in 1982 and staged as a critically acclaimed production for the London stage in 2007, War Horse is currently receiving accolades for its 2011 U.S. stage production on Broadway at New York’s Lincoln Center Theater (for which the play won five of the prestigious Tony Awards® including the award for Best Play), and now, in this transcendent and inspiring motion picture adaptation.

Originally narrated by and told from the perspective of the horse in both the book and in the theater production, the film adaptation of War Horse instead relates its narrative by taking us through the heart wrenching experiences of the central character, a thoroughbred horse named Joey.

Set during World War I, the tale takes us on a perilous and incredible journey with Joey, the beloved horse of young English farmboy Albert Narracott of the town of Devon. When war is declared, Joey is sold to the British Cavalry, and through a series of harrowing events, he serves in both the British and German armies. Joey suffers the horrors of the battlefield, pulls ambulances for the wounded, and works as a draft horse pulling cannons and artillery. Meanwhile, Albert enlists, also enduring the scourges of warfare, hoping to reunite with Joey and safely bring him home.

Through Joey’s dark and tortuous odyssey, we bear witness to man’s utter inhumanity to himself and to the innocent and faithful creatures of this world in an anguished indictment of the horrific atrocities of war. As vividly brutal, traumatic, and desolate as Spielberg’s intensely realistic WWII epic, Saving Private Ryan, War Horse also stands shiningly aside such iconic World War I anti-war documents as Lewis Milestone’s All Quiet On The Western Front and Stanley Kubrick’s Paths Of Glory.

Spielberg’s stellar ensemble international cast includes newcomer Jeremy Irvine as Albert, Tom Hiddleston as British Calvary Captain Nicholls, Niels Arestrup as Grandfather and Toby Kebbell as Geordie, all who just sparkle. They all offer richly nuanced, affecting performances of emotional depth and touching poignancy.

But it is Joey, portrayed by fourteen amazing equine actors, who is the spirit, conscience, and beating emotional heart of this story for the ages. Bravo to horse trainer Bobby Lovgren, for coaxing such amazing multi-dimensional emotional expressiveness out of his four legged charges. Lovgren also owns and trained his amazing horse Finder, who is one of the horses that plays Joey in some of the film’s most emotionally pivotal scenes and who also acted in the Academy Award nominated Seabiscuit.

Spielberg, screenplay writers Richard Curtis and Lee Hall, and the dazzling cinematography of Director of Photography Janusz Kaminski paint duel portrait canvases of striking and authentically detailed vast polar contrasts, each a stark perspective essaying the resolute narrative. The endless innocence of the emerald green valleys of Devon’s countryside fraught with splendor and beauty shines in contrast to the relentless ravages, carnage, and brutality of the killing fields of war.

The phenomenal and venerable John Williams’ profound and thoughtful score is hallmarked by trumpeting brass fanfares, resounding and sweeping epic orchestral pageantries and understated woodwind interludes. They beautifully evoke and compellingly voice the storyline’s emotional resolve, devastating and inspiring events, kindnesses of people, and promise of hope on the horizon.

Williams’ radiant themes, cues, and motifs for Joey are particularly emotionally resonant. One can almost see Joey’s gallops and sprints as a young colt being raised in the shire by Albert, in Williams’ playful and exuberant strings. The inspirational main theme for Joey is an aural vision to behold and one of the most indelible and sublime of his legendary career.

A poetic, eloquent piano passage ever so gently proceeds with subtle beauty into deeply emotional, evocative strings and orchestra which crescendo into a soaring, uplifting song of glory for this “remarkable and miraculous horse.” But it is the flute solo, intertwined within Joey’s theme, exquisitely rendered by virtuoso flutist Louise Di Tullio, that is just otherworldly. Pensive, wistful, and contemplative, it extends a reserved felicitous eloquence that speaks to all of us, a resounding voice for Joey.

This magical voice of beautifully gentle melodic context conjures up the pastoral vistas of Joey’s home, hearth and family in Devon, untouched, and unfettered by war. Regaling a majesty and grace in its solitary presence, poetry, and meaning, it speaks for Joey… and to, us. It is a far reaching outcry and urgent plea of the unspeakable, blackest fathoms of war, that we should all, always take heed to.

As so does Spielberg’s superb and unforgettable film. War Horse speaks the most universal, timeless message that reaches our deepest emotions, hearts and minds. Like Joey, we may find an unbreakable connection of friendship and love that always guides us safely home… and that we may also find and embrace, at long last, peace.

© Copyright December 28, 2011 By Arlene R. Weiss-All Rights Reserved