ash493
Well-Known Member
Am I the only one? found it a bit too hollywood smaltzy for me and had expected to be really blown away by it. Found it enjoyable and moving at the end but not one I would want to watch again
War Horse - disappointed
- Thread starter ash493
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Fairytale
Well-Known Member
I tend to agree - but it could possibly be because of all the hype surrounding it and I always expect too much 
It was enjoyable but not great (just my humble opinion naturally)
F
It was enjoyable but not great
(just my humble opinion naturally)F
Alimac19
Well-Known Member
Same. Thought that some of the story lines were rushed, for example the farm girl only has them for one night!! I'm sure in the book that it's a bit more involved. I enjoyed the film but wasn't blown away. I do want to read the book though.
Welshie Squisher
Well-Known Member
I too thought it was overhyped.
It's good but I wouldn't buy on DVD, I think Spielberg failed in showing the true spirit of the horse, and because of that I didn't find it as moving as I'm sure they were hoping for.
My 10 year old didn't cry once, mind you she doesn't cry at Black Beauty either lol.
Joey is stunning, maybe I'd watch again just to drool over him
It's good but I wouldn't buy on DVD, I think Spielberg failed in showing the true spirit of the horse, and because of that I didn't find it as moving as I'm sure they were hoping for.
My 10 year old didn't cry once, mind you she doesn't cry at Black Beauty either lol.
Joey is stunning, maybe I'd watch again just to drool over him
claireandnadia
Well-Known Member
I loved it and will definately be buying the DVD.
ash493
Well-Known Member
Glad its not just me then! Wasn't helped by OH spending the first half hour commenting that there wasn't any livestock on the farm, just the guard goose! He shut up when the sheep ran across the screen though. Final sunset scene reminded me of Gone with the Wind!
Shantara
Well-Known Member
I thought it was excellent! I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The only things I didn't like were:
Germans not speaking German...I'd rather read subtitles (After watching hundreds of Hong Kong movies, I rather enjoy it now)
That weird 'day-for-night' sunset effect at the end. I could tell it was just an orange filter over a sunny day.
The tank scene. It was SO dramatic in the play, they made squealing noises which were blood curdling. I know they can't do TOO much when using real live horses, but still.
The horses pulling the guns. I know they can't make horses suffer for the movies, but the play was very spooky and strange. They were like skeletal ghosts.
Other than that, I loved it I can't wait to buy it on DVD!
The only things I didn't like were:
Germans not speaking German...I'd rather read subtitles (After watching hundreds of Hong Kong movies, I rather enjoy it now)
That weird 'day-for-night' sunset effect at the end. I could tell it was just an orange filter over a sunny day.
The tank scene. It was SO dramatic in the play, they made squealing noises which were blood curdling. I know they can't do TOO much when using real live horses, but still.
The horses pulling the guns. I know they can't make horses suffer for the movies, but the play was very spooky and strange. They were like skeletal ghosts.
Other than that, I loved it
I can't wait to buy it on DVD!Joyous70
Well-Known Member
I was disappointed too, having read the book and wept buckets, i thought the film would do the same, but was really disappointed that the storylines seemed to be rushed, Zoey one of Joey's friends wasn't even in the film, and he ploughed the field alone!
I was kind of hoping that there would be someone narrating how Joey saw things & felt, like they did with the film Black Beauty, that way i think people would have more empathy and understanding for the horses.
Wont be buying the DVD, but would really love to see the play.
I was kind of hoping that there would be someone narrating how Joey saw things & felt, like they did with the film Black Beauty, that way i think people would have more empathy and understanding for the horses.
Wont be buying the DVD, but would really love to see the play.
ShowJumperBeckii
Well-Known Member
It was very over hyped.. yet i thought it was great only thing that i did't like was the begining took long to get anywhere and the ending happened very quicky..
Did't cry as much as thought and jeremy irvine who plays albert is just beautiful
Did't cry as much as thought and jeremy irvine who plays albert is just beautiful
Rowreach
🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
Very disappointed Loved the book, which I thought was a beautifully pitched and very sensitive account of a grim subject, directed at children but equally readable by adults (and yes I cried all the way through the book). The film was pure Disney - since when was Devon in bright technicolour? It reminded me of the original Dr Doolittle film with Rex Harrison It rather spoilt the rest of it for me, although the war sequences were better - I suppose the whole thing was aimed at families/children, and I'd sort of expected it to be a whole lot grittier and more adult.
As for the horsey bits, I do try not to be too pernickety watching "horse" films, but I couldn't help it with this one
I spent most of my time playing "spot the difference" and trying to identity the 16 different Joeys
Loved the book, which I thought was a beautifully pitched and very sensitive account of a grim subject, directed at children but equally readable by adults (and yes I cried all the way through the book). The film was pure Disney - since when was Devon in bright technicolour? It reminded me of the original Dr Doolittle film with Rex Harrison It rather spoilt the rest of it for me, although the war sequences were better - I suppose the whole thing was aimed at families/children, and I'd sort of expected it to be a whole lot grittier and more adult.As for the horsey bits, I do try not to be too pernickety watching "horse" films, but I couldn't help it with this one
I spent most of my time playing "spot the difference" and trying to identity the 16 different Joeys
JenTaz
Well-Known Member
it's nice to see that there are others who have the same opinion as me, i was so disappointed it was unreal, all my friends who havent read the book thought the film was awesome, i honestly thought that the director would have made it good but missing out zoey and speeding up the main part of the story i was dissapointed, i was also disappointed with the reuinion at the end
Captain Bridget
Well-Known Member
I'm glad it wasn't just me that noticed the different Joey's!
I thought it was very good, but having read the book I think more should have been made of the actual war scenes! It took such a long time to get going. I know you have to set the scene and all but the beginning seemed to be so long. If they'd taken less time with the beginning they might have been able to get more of the actual story into it!
I agree about the germans not speaking german too, I expected they'd have made an effort with that!
I did cry, but not as much as with the book. That had me in tears nearly the whole way through!
I thought it was very good, but having read the book I think more should have been made of the actual war scenes! It took such a long time to get going. I know you have to set the scene and all but the beginning seemed to be so long. If they'd taken less time with the beginning they might have been able to get more of the actual story into it!
I agree about the germans not speaking german too, I expected they'd have made an effort with that!
I did cry, but not as much as with the book. That had me in tears nearly the whole way through!
TALKINGCLOCK
New User
Loved the stage show but not seen the film yet as I'm concerned i may embarrass myself. Can't even watch Black Beauty without waterworks so may just have to wait for the DVD... Hopeless!
Rowreach
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Haha if they'd broken him in any quicker he'd have been born with the plough attached lol
I'm going to try it with my youngsters: "Now this is a saddle and I'm going to put it on you and then ride you at gallop across that field - do you understand me? Good."
I'll start a thread to let you know how it goes ...
Trubie
Well-Known Member
Haha if they'd broken him in any quicker he'd have been born with the plough attached lol
I'm going to try it with my youngsters: "Now this is a saddle and I'm going to put it on you and then ride you at gallop across that field - do you understand me? Good."
I'll start a thread to let you know how it goes ...
Ha ha my thoughts exactly!
Apparently I am now expected to have our youngster backed and ridden away in 30 mins
Alimac19
Well-Known Member
I thought that too. Also the farm girl never ridden before gallops off into the distance.
FionaM12
Well-Known Member
I don't think subtitles appeal to a wider audience, so they probably had to do the "everyone speak English" thing.
Yes the sunset was mad!
And I did wonder if they could have used some special effects to make the horses at war look a little less healthy and well! Haha if they'd broken him in any quicker he'd have been born with the plough attached lol
Yes and his teenage owner looked exactly the same age when Joey was born and when he was galloping him over the fields! Don't some changes usually happen about that age? I delibrately avoided the hype and therefore was only slightly disappointed. I'd hoped for a great film, in fact I thought it was very good and enjoyable but not great.
As for it being glitzy and Hollywoody: it's Spielberg, so I was prepared for that!
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angrovestud
Well-Known Member
I have not read the book nor seen the play which I would love to see but I have yet to encounter a horse that wants to swap with another horse to do a job! That bit made a mockery of the horse.
On a slightly diffent note a horse will happily try and help when ever possible my oh was shoverling stone to level it so our stallion comes along at liberty and using his feet helps! team work! I thought the girl galloping was plain silly as she had never ridden and the weaning at the market what was that about the horse apeared to have a two year old tail! it seemed that they need to get more horse experts in to advise more I know its disney type but I was expecting better
On a slightly diffent note a horse will happily try and help when ever possible my oh was shoverling stone to level it so our stallion comes along at liberty and using his feet helps! team work! I thought the girl galloping was plain silly as she had never ridden and the weaning at the market what was that about the horse apeared to have a two year old tail! it seemed that they need to get more horse experts in to advise more I know its disney type but I was expecting better
C&C
Well-Known Member
Havnt watched it yet, prob wait for it to come out on DVD tbh. I read the book, which was great, and ive been told that the book is better! Isnt that the way it goes for them all tho......books are usually always better than the films
LouandBee
Well-Known Member
Me too! Overall found it boring and cheesy..and that's coming from someone who's horse mad!
Thought the beginning was so slow to get started (I actually fell asleep!) but the war scenes were good.. but should have been more of them and they should have been more gritty. Funny how bullets and barbed wire don't create any blood in this movie.
Also, agree with one of the other posters that the skinny horses in the play were great..if they could make horses skinny in black beauty why couldn't they do it for this movie.
IMO the lighting in the all the Farm scenes was all awful, added to the cheesy feel of the film.
Thought the beginning was so slow to get started (I actually fell asleep!) but the war scenes were good.. but should have been more of them and they should have been more gritty. Funny how bullets and barbed wire don't create any blood in this movie.
Also, agree with one of the other posters that the skinny horses in the play were great..if they could make horses skinny in black beauty why couldn't they do it for this movie.
IMO the lighting in the all the Farm scenes was all awful, added to the cheesy feel of the film.
georgiegirl
Well-Known Member
im another one who was expecting a more 'adult' type film - parts of it were so cheesy it was untrue! 'please joey we have got to plough the field, please you can do it!' haha....
However I have to say the scenes filmed in no mans land were absolutely stunning and very harrowing.....top marks for those bits!
However I have to say the scenes filmed in no mans land were absolutely stunning and very harrowing.....top marks for those bits!
guesstimation
Well-Known Member
I wasn't disappointed it was what I expected it's a typical "blockbuster" film and will always be done in the way that it was!
I'm glad I read the book and saw the show first, the show was 100% better.
I did enjoy watching it, I was worried about the length of it but wasn't itching to get out, and loved the views of Dartmoor filmed at my favourite time of year up there!
Wouldn't say the film was amazing it was a typical horse film but I am glad I've seen it and will probably get it on DVD!
I'm glad I read the book and saw the show first, the show was 100% better.
I did enjoy watching it, I was worried about the length of it but wasn't itching to get out, and loved the views of Dartmoor filmed at my favourite time of year up there!
Wouldn't say the film was amazing it was a typical horse film but I am glad I've seen it and will probably get it on DVD!
guesstimation
Well-Known Member
LOL I laughed at having to put the collar on, if only horses just did as you showed them!
Agree about the no mans land scenes to be honest in the book and the show the bits that got me more were about the men suffering and what they went through as much as Joey's story.
Tammytoo
Well-Known Member
Why did they change the ending? Now that would have brought the tears into overdrive!
I think you just have to forget about the book and enjoy the film for what it is. However the panicked horse bolting across no-mans land was truly heartstopping.
I think you just have to forget about the book and enjoy the film for what it is. However the panicked horse bolting across no-mans land was truly heartstopping.
Dotilas
Well-Known Member
About the girl just galloping off - some people are natural riders, believe it or not. She probably had ridden before she became ill, as her mother had. One of my friends had only sat on a horse once in her life, but put her on my aged ex-racer for a walk and maybe a trot, and soon found she could had amazing natural balance and seat, and once explained to her, could move the horse through the paces very easily.
I thought to me it was clear in the film that the girl had the horses for at least a week.
Some horses are hairier than others.
I don't really think Joey wanted to take Blackthorn's place, he went over to see his best friend in distress. I also know a few carriage horses that if you are holding a collar, will shove their heads straight into it.
I think that it is not a horsey film to be honest, it definitely isn't the tale of the horse a lot of us were expecting, but the portrayal of trench warfare was truly harrowing. The most upsetting message of the film for me was the horrors of the war. For me, the prevalent messages from the film was the truth of how young some of the "men" that marched into war for Britain were, and also the truths that one of our "strategies" involved riding a horse with a sword held high into machine gun fire. I know this is a horse site and we're all pony huggers, but personally I believe that is much more important to remember the human lives lost in the war above the animals. And also to recognise the major failings in the war.
I thought to me it was clear in the film that the girl had the horses for at least a week.
Some horses are hairier than others.
I don't really think Joey wanted to take Blackthorn's place, he went over to see his best friend in distress. I also know a few carriage horses that if you are holding a collar, will shove their heads straight into it.
I think that it is not a horsey film to be honest, it definitely isn't the tale of the horse a lot of us were expecting, but the portrayal of trench warfare was truly harrowing. The most upsetting message of the film for me was the horrors of the war. For me, the prevalent messages from the film was the truth of how young some of the "men" that marched into war for Britain were, and also the truths that one of our "strategies" involved riding a horse with a sword held high into machine gun fire. I know this is a horse site and we're all pony huggers, but personally I believe that is much more important to remember the human lives lost in the war above the animals. And also to recognise the major failings in the war.
Sianage
Well-Known Member
I liked the film, thought it was great!
I was a bit skeptical, I always find with horse films they are massively inaccurate and sometimes show horses having intelligence closer to that of a dog than a horse... Found there was a lot less "cueing" the horse to perform tricks like rearing etc than I was expecting and more natural behaviour which was good.
It's a long time since I read the book so I can't really remember a lot of the storyline but I did think the first part of the film was a bit long winded!
Some of the weird bits I think were included (like the Germans not speaking German) because Spielberg was still trying to make a family film that had a wider appeal than just to the horse community. Most of the stunt bits with horses I was really impressed with, like the horse galloping across no man's land/jumping over the trench/missing/falling etc and the tank bit (read in horse and hound last week that they actually taught a horse to jump onto a tank!!).
For me, it was a war film with a bit more emphasis on the horse, still breaks my heart thinking about all the people that died, and loads of them just 16/17/18 year old lads.... so sad! The part where people go "over the top" of the trenches looks almost identical to footage of the actual thing in the Imperial War Museum - makes my hairs stand up on end.
P.S. right at the end of this video you can see them filming the final scene - not sure if it's a filter or not? Some and some?! I am by no means an expert on this hehe!
Also spent the time trying to tell the difference between all the horses who played Joey... Only spotted about 2 or 3 different ones so I reckon they've done a pretty good job there!
Sorry for the essay... my bad!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPZ53dW_zkY
I was a bit skeptical, I always find with horse films they are massively inaccurate and sometimes show horses having intelligence closer to that of a dog than a horse... Found there was a lot less "cueing" the horse to perform tricks like rearing etc than I was expecting and more natural behaviour which was good.
It's a long time since I read the book so I can't really remember a lot of the storyline but I did think the first part of the film was a bit long winded!
Some of the weird bits I think were included (like the Germans not speaking German) because Spielberg was still trying to make a family film that had a wider appeal than just to the horse community. Most of the stunt bits with horses I was really impressed with, like the horse galloping across no man's land/jumping over the trench/missing/falling etc and the tank bit (read in horse and hound last week that they actually taught a horse to jump onto a tank!!).
For me, it was a war film with a bit more emphasis on the horse, still breaks my heart thinking about all the people that died, and loads of them just 16/17/18 year old lads.... so sad! The part where people go "over the top" of the trenches looks almost identical to footage of the actual thing in the Imperial War Museum - makes my hairs stand up on end.
P.S. right at the end of this video you can see them filming the final scene - not sure if it's a filter or not? Some and some?! I am by no means an expert on this hehe!
Also spent the time trying to tell the difference between all the horses who played Joey... Only spotted about 2 or 3 different ones so I reckon they've done a pretty good job there!
Sorry for the essay... my bad!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPZ53dW_zkY
guesstimation
Well-Known Member
Put far better than me but this is exactly how I feel about the book, the show and the film that hit me harder than anything that happaned to the horses!
georgiegirl
Well-Known Member
exactly! I think I felt far more distressed watching those lads waiting to leave the trenches and being told they would get shot if they came back.......
mulledwhine
Well-Known Member
I was also disappointed, enjoyed it though non the less.
It is a children's book so I suppose to show the true horror if the war would maybe have been a step to far.
My favourite bit is at the beginning when albert gets him and joey is running around, one minute a yearling and then about 3years and then back to a yearling!!!!!
It is a children's book so I suppose to show the true horror if the war would maybe have been a step to far.
My favourite bit is at the beginning when albert gets him and joey is running around, one minute a yearling and then about 3years and then back to a yearling!!!!!