Steven Spielberg's War Horse - The Review

[Brovion]

It was a tough call for Spielberg but he wanted this film to be watched by a younger audience and subtitles and 10-12 years olds generally do not mix very well. I would have prefered them speaking in their native tongue with subtitles but I am a 49 year old Man with an attention span longer than a Gnat, most of the time anyway. He did Schindler's List in English as well. I am glad some people have enjoyed it as there seems to have a typical Spielberg sabotaging going on , not just on here. I watched it for the second time on Friday and as with many Spielberg films I saw more, noticed more and appreciated it more.

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Yeah, I agree with your point about sub-titles for kids and I don't have a problem with them speaking English. One of the greatest war films ever made (the 1930 version of All Quiet on the Western Front) had American actors playing all the parts and speaking in American accents. It was the 'Cherman' accents that amused me.

I didn't quite get the time line though. It started off in 1914, Joey and his best friend then got captured by the Germans and then ended up with the French couple. Did they then stay there till 1918? When the Germans came back and requisitioned the horses the officer said they would "Haul artillery for a month and then die". I guess they must have been with the French couple four nearly four years as I can't believe they survived for nearly four years doing the work they were doing and facing the danger they were facing.

Oh, and that girl could ride bloody well for someone who hadn't even been allowed to sit on a horse before.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

Yeah, I agree with your point about sub-titles for kids and I don't have a problem with them speaking English. One of the greatest war films ever made (the 1930 version of All Quiet on the Western Front) had American actors playing all the parts and speaking in American accents. It was the 'Cherman' accents that amused me.

I didn't quite get the time line though. It started off in 1914, Joey and his best friend then got captured by the Germans and then ended up with the French couple. Did they then stay there till 1918? When the Germans came back and requisitioned the horses the officer said they would "Haul artillery for a month and then die". I guess they must have been with the French couple four nearly four years as I can't believe they survived for nearly four years doing the work they were doing and facing the danger they were facing.

Oh, and that girl could ride bloody well for someone who hadn't even been allowed to sit on a horse before.

I am not sure Brovian. I have not read the book but I believe this was a major part of the story. I guess Spielberg concised this into 20 minutes because of time constraints as it lasted 146 minutes in total. I think the start was the cavalry with swords against guns in 1914 but by 1918 armoury had developed to such an extent the big guns were used, a particulary memorable scene with the men in the trenches reactions as the bombs went off as it was a new and devastating method of war, not seen before. Albert was re introduced in this scene so I think it was towards the end of the war then.

I am glad you saw some merit in the film.