War Horse: Genuine but over-worked
by Sophie Bonheim
War Horse is an overworked fairy-tale, but its sentiments are genuine. After Albert’s father sells his beloved horse Joey to the British cavalry, Albert sets off across a backdrop of WWI, vowing that they will be together again. The story is about Joey’s survival and the people he comes across, as he manoeuvres through Europe’s picturesque countryside. With the obvious associations to be made with Black Beauty, minus the voiceover, Topthorn, Joey’s beautiful black equine companion, is Black Beauty resurrected. However, this time the story revolves around the chestnut with white socks.
Films that try to capture the honest emotions of animals are thin on the ground nowadays. In the past they have been directed at a younger generation, but the children’s market has gone down a zanier, digital, hyper-comical route. War Horse reminds us of the days when the tales of Black Beauty and Lassie taught generations about the partnership between humans and animals. With so many war stories and films based on the tragic loss of human life, it is to be expected that humans forget the colossal loss of faithful and devoted animals. Unusually, in War Horse, it is an animal that reminds soldiers (on all sides) of their humanity.
We are all aware of how Spielberg can tug at the heartstrings, but somehow the film bypasses our consciousness and pleads to our compassion. There is no other animal that can say so much with one large doleful eye like a horse. Spielberg makes the most of it, surrounded by a backdrop of Devon, lush green fields and muddy, trench-filled landscapes.
However, the film could be criticized for its representation of war. The British soldiers are dashing, kind and upstanding; following the rules and refusing Albert entry into the army until he comes of age. However, one German soldier is fourteen and despite being aware of his youth, the German officers disregard this fact and treat him harshly, which is, as we have already been made aware, something that the British would not do. Furthermore, the British keep their horses well fed and groomed, whereas the German army work the horses (that they have stolen from British), to the bone and then shoot them in the head when they can no longer stand. Though the German army have understandably never been the favorites in any military based piece, I think Spielberg lets himself down for heading so unabashedly down that route.
However, he somewhat redeems himself with a candid conversation between a British and German soldier, who work together under a truce. The scene is probably the most poignant and sincere scene in the film. On leaving, the British soldier wills the German soldier, “You keep your head down now, Pete my lad”. For the audience, the absurdity of war suddenly becomes painfully apparent.
Films that try to capture the honest emotions of animals are thin on the ground nowadays. In the past they have been directed at a younger generation, but the children’s market has gone down a zanier, digital, hyper-comical route. War Horse reminds us of the days when the tales of Black Beauty and Lassie taught generations about the partnership between humans and animals. With so many war stories and films based on the tragic loss of human life, it is to be expected that humans forget the colossal loss of faithful and devoted animals. Unusually, in War Horse, it is an animal that reminds soldiers (on all sides) of their humanity.
We are all aware of how Spielberg can tug at the heartstrings, but somehow the film bypasses our consciousness and pleads to our compassion. There is no other animal that can say so much with one large doleful eye like a horse. Spielberg makes the most of it, surrounded by a backdrop of Devon, lush green fields and muddy, trench-filled landscapes.
However, the film could be criticized for its representation of war. The British soldiers are dashing, kind and upstanding; following the rules and refusing Albert entry into the army until he comes of age. However, one German soldier is fourteen and despite being aware of his youth, the German officers disregard this fact and treat him harshly, which is, as we have already been made aware, something that the British would not do. Furthermore, the British keep their horses well fed and groomed, whereas the German army work the horses (that they have stolen from British), to the bone and then shoot them in the head when they can no longer stand. Though the German army have understandably never been the favorites in any military based piece, I think Spielberg lets himself down for heading so unabashedly down that route.
However, he somewhat redeems himself with a candid conversation between a British and German soldier, who work together under a truce. The scene is probably the most poignant and sincere scene in the film. On leaving, the British soldier wills the German soldier, “You keep your head down now, Pete my lad”. For the audience, the absurdity of war suddenly becomes painfully apparent.
