War Horse Film Review

War Horse is a war-drama family film that is absolutely stunning. A masterpiece directed by Steven Spielberg, an academy award-winning director. This film is adapted from a novel with the same name by Michael Morpurgo, a rare tear-jerking film that turns amazing literature into screen with many emotional moments. This film tells a story about a young man, Albert Narracott played by Jeremy Irvine and his best pal Joey the horse. Joey and Albert share a very strong bond, from the day that Joey was born. But sadly they were separated by the World War I. Albert has a tense relationship with his father, Ted Narracott played by Peter Mullen. A drunk limping Boer War veteran.  The adventure starts in Devon, a beautiful town in England as the hometown of the Narracott family.

            In the year 1914 in Devon, the movie starts off with showing the birth of a horse that was secretly witnessed by Albert Narracott. The young man has felt a bond with the horse ever since. When he finds out that his father Ted Narracott came home with a horse that he witnessed at birth, he felt a surge of happiness. But his mother, Rosie Narracott played by Emily Watson disagrees.  However as time passes, Albert train the horse and call him Joey and the two become inseparable. He teaches Joey how to plough, an important ability that will save his life later. Sadly when the harvest fails, Ted Narracott sells Joey to the British Cavalry.  Will Joey survive the war? And will Joey and Albert reunite?

            The film cannot be this awesome with the work of the director alone. A lot of other people put their time and effort into making this film. The actors are dazzling. Their acting seems realistic and the chemistry between them seems so real. Surely they deserve a standing ovation. The music by John Williams is beautiful, it is a very important part of the movie. The songs express the feelings of the characters very well. The photography uses techniques and takes pictures from the right angle, low and high angles that make small animals like Harold look intimidating (low shot). They also use dolly, boom and many more. The setting was out-of-this-world. I felt like I went back in time and was standing in the war. The costumes are authentic. Johanna Johnston is impossible, let us take Rosie’s costume as an example, I actually thought Rosie have been wearing that costume for years! Because it looks like it is worn out and old. The special effects are astounding, Jeremy Irvine (Albert Narracott) said that in the set things actually explode and there are people thrown up into the sky.

            Overall I totally recommend this movie for you to watch together with your family. It is so far the best family movie with a war theme that I’ve watched. The movie was so emotional. It teaches us about war, friendship, bravery and love. I love the movie, one movie that is worth your time. You must watch this movie! You can’t miss it!