Steven Spielberg has produced two epic films in “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan."
His latest attempt at an epic is “War Horse.”
The film is set in a very small English farming community, where Albert Narracott (Jeremy Irvine) lives. Albert is infatuated with a foal which has just come into the world. He visits the horse and his mother almost daily. The mother is not very fond of Albert, but the foal takes a liking to him.
The time has come for the colt to be sold at auction and Albert’s father, Ted (Peter Mullan), is in the market. He needs a good plow horse to dig up some of the land he is working that is extremely hard to plow. This colt is not nearly strong enough to do the job.
Ted sees that his landlord Mr. Lyons (David Thewlis) is going to bid on the colt and he does not want him to get any satisfaction at this auction. Instead, Ted outbids him to the point that Ted may lose his farm and home. When he takes the horse home, his wife Rose (Emily Watson) is furious.
Albert, on the other, hand is overjoyed and promises to train the horse so that he can pull a plow and work on the farm. Albert names the horse Joey, and when it comes time to get the horse to plow the field, it seems as though it is an impossible job. Mr. Lyons is there to take the horse when it fails, but the rain that sets in allows Albert and Joey to do the job.
The crop that is planted fails due to weather, and when war is declared, Ted must sell Joey to an officer in order to save the farm.
This is only the beginning of the story. Joey travels around much of Europe. He is treated well by some of the people he meets and others treat him as if he is just a piece of equipment for the war. Many of the scenes in this film are hopeful. The story will tear at your heart and then bring it back together again.
Albert does eventually end up fighting in the war once he is old enough to enlist. He finds himself in the trenches at the front.
When you are considering whether kids should see this film or not, please remember it is rated PG-13 — and for good reason. Although it may not have the same graphic war violence that was seen in “Saving Private Ryan,” the same intensity is found. The battle scenes are intense and justly so. There is some smoking in the film, some drinking and some language, although it is the English vernacular.
This is a wonderful film that will be treasured by some. It is a wonderful tribute to the many animals that have fought in wars, especially World War I.
Title: 'War Horse'
Star Rating: 3 out of 4
Shawn O'Neill is the Family Man Movie Reviewer on BYU Radio. His reviews can be heard on BYURadio.org and on SiriusXM Channel 143.