WAR HORSE (USA 2011) ****
Directed by Steven Spielberg

Based more on the 2007 National Theatre play of the same name, which in turn is based on the 1982 children’s novel by Michael Morpurgo, WAR HORSE is the type of epic Spielberg is known and is good for.

It is simple to see what attracted Spielberg to this project.  Besides his favourite theme on war, the film deals with horses (his family rides them), and the story has a classic English storybook setting.  Spielberg was drawn into making the film after seeing the National Theatre and his commitment to this story is evident throughout the film.  The film flows smoothly, the storytelling and pacing excellent but mostly, his magic is present without the film being over-sentimental.

Though set also in France with the horse owned by German soldiers, the actors speak English with the appropriate ascents, instead of their own language.  At least Spielberg casts French to portray the French and the Germans to portray the Germans.

This is a horse’s film in terms of story and arguably point of view.  Those in love with the animal will no doubt love the film even more.  In Devon during at the outbreak of World War 1, Joey, young Albert Narracott’s (Jeremy Irwine) beloved horse, is sold to the Calvary and shipped to France. Joey, as the horse is so named, serves in the British and German armies, which takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before being wounded in no man’s land.

The story also allows Spielberg to deliver a good message of peace during the yuletide season.  The German and British soldiers risking their lives and working together to save the horse in no man’s land is most touching.

The filming with the horses must have been a tough test for Spielberg.  It is reported that as many as 28 horses were used in the filming.  But the payoff shows, as the spectacle, especially of the scene in which Joey races off into no man’s land is an example of the mastery of filmmaking.

Spielberg goes a bit overboard with the cinematography towards the end of the film.  It is easy to understand why as he has two-time Oscar winning cinematographer Janusz Kaminski (SAVING PRIVATE RYAN and SCHINDLER’S LIST) working again for him.  His use of shadows on a red background and the appearance of the horse as a little silhouette appearing from the right side of the screen are feasts to the eyes.

WAR HORSE is good old fashioned and original (at least it is not a sequel) filmmaking.  With good storytelling, performances and direction, WAR HORSE is likely the best bet for a family film this Christmas.