War Horse (2011）
I never really particularly fancied horsey movies. Films like National Velvet, National Lampoon and the numerous Disney Channel feature films with the predictable interaction between man and animal with an equally predictable feel good endings come to mind. Part of my upbringing make me think that the horses' ability to run and racing is strongly linked to betting and other vices that had a hand in the downfall of many noble families. Just because Steven Spielberg directed the movie which was a forerunner for many prestigious awards, I gave it a go.
The story starts with a ex-British soldier of the Transvaal War (where Churchill earned media publicity) who is now a drunk farmer in Devon buys a young stallion at a market auction just to get back at his landlord even though what he actually needed was a plough horse .
The farmer's son, Albert, named him Joey and manages to train him to work on the soil. The produce however got destroyed by bad weather that the farmer had to sell off Joey to a cavalry soldier. World War 1 had started and Joey goes to war. Joey's rider is killed at the battle field in France and Joey is kept by 2 German young soldiers. They are shot for abandoning posts but not before they left Joey and another horse (Joey's fellow cavalry horse) inside a barn of a windmill. Its owners, an old man and his granddaughter take a liking to the horses. German soldiers passing through the area took over the horse to be used to pull the heavy war artillery.
The gruel nature of the German animal kills Joey's friend. Even amongst the heartless German soldiers, Joey's kind trainer releases him. Joey runs through a trench war and get trapped and entangled in in midst of two warring armies. Compassionate soldiers of both sides pull a temporary truce to save the trapped horse. At the toss of the coin, the British gained ownership of Joey.
Meanwhile, Joey's initial owner, Albert, is in the same unit that rescued Joey but he is temporarily blinded. Just like any typical Indian movie of the 70s where every family had a family song where lost families can be united after a zillion years, Joey answers to Albert's owl call in the nick of time before he is to be put to sleep for injuries sustained!
I never really particularly fancied horsey movies. Films like National Velvet, National Lampoon and the numerous Disney Channel feature films with the predictable interaction between man and animal with an equally predictable feel good endings come to mind. Part of my upbringing make me think that the horses' ability to run and racing is strongly linked to betting and other vices that had a hand in the downfall of many noble families. Just because Steven Spielberg directed the movie which was a forerunner for many prestigious awards, I gave it a go.
The story starts with a ex-British soldier of the Transvaal War (where Churchill earned media publicity) who is now a drunk farmer in Devon buys a young stallion at a market auction just to get back at his landlord even though what he actually needed was a plough horse .The farmer's son, Albert, named him Joey and manages to train him to work on the soil. The produce however got destroyed by bad weather that the farmer had to sell off Joey to a cavalry soldier. World War 1 had started and Joey goes to war. Joey's rider is killed at the battle field in France and Joey is kept by 2 German young soldiers. They are shot for abandoning posts but not before they left Joey and another horse (Joey's fellow cavalry horse) inside a barn of a windmill. Its owners, an old man and his granddaughter take a liking to the horses. German soldiers passing through the area took over the horse to be used to pull the heavy war artillery.
The gruel nature of the German animal kills Joey's friend. Even amongst the heartless German soldiers, Joey's kind trainer releases him. Joey runs through a trench war and get trapped and entangled in in midst of two warring armies. Compassionate soldiers of both sides pull a temporary truce to save the trapped horse. At the toss of the coin, the British gained ownership of Joey.
Meanwhile, Joey's initial owner, Albert, is in the same unit that rescued Joey but he is temporarily blinded. Just like any typical Indian movie of the 70s where every family had a family song where lost families can be united after a zillion years, Joey answers to Albert's owl call in the nick of time before he is to be put to sleep for injuries sustained!
The war comes to an end. Joey finally come home to Devon. (yawn)...
A bit far fetch story not to my liking. Makes one wonder why men, in midst of a war out for each others' blood and fighting for their lives are so compassionate to a horse! And so cultured too!
I am not so much of an animal activist or a PETA member, hence I did not feel much for the plight of Joey. Everything happened so fast that you do not feel for the characters. You do not see any facial expressions on the horse and close-up shots are no substitute to acting. So it was a Steven Spielberg direction, so?
I am no expert in film-making, I only write I feel but I do not understand why this movie has got many rave reviews and accolades as well nominations including best picture. Even Quentin Tarantino sang praises for this endeavour. I suppose that is just professional courtesy - like sharks and lawyers!
A bit far fetch story not to my liking. Makes one wonder why men, in midst of a war out for each others' blood and fighting for their lives are so compassionate to a horse! And so cultured too!
I am not so much of an animal activist or a PETA member, hence I did not feel much for the plight of Joey. Everything happened so fast that you do not feel for the characters. You do not see any facial expressions on the horse and close-up shots are no substitute to acting. So it was a Steven Spielberg direction, so?
I am no expert in film-making, I only write I feel but I do not understand why this movie has got many rave reviews and accolades as well nominations including best picture. Even Quentin Tarantino sang praises for this endeavour. I suppose that is just professional courtesy - like sharks and lawyers!
Well what do you know, I am just a spectator (or is it audience?).
Maybe westerners are animal loving and thought everyone share the same passion for animals.
ReplyDeleteRemember the movie "Gorilla in the mist".