War Horse (2011)

Genre: Drama

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Peter Mullan

Running time: 146 minutes

In 1912, an aging farmer goes to auction and lets his pride have the better of him as he engages in a bidding war. He ends up with a colt he paid way too much money for instead of the plough horse he needed for his farm. When he gets home, the farmer’s wife is dismayed and afraid they’ll lose the farm because they are out of money and do not have the right horse for the job. Determined to prove them wrong, the farmer’s teenage son undertakes to train the animal and turn him into an effective plough horse. When the First World War breaks out, the horse is sold to the army and ends up going from one hand to the other, with the Brits and with the Germans. Will he ever make it home?

Steven Spielberg is no stranger to the epic films. Is War Horse as good as his most famous ones? Maybe not. That being said, it is still a very good film. In spite of the fact that it is not being carried by a cast loaded with big names, it is very effective. This film will tug strongly on your heartstrings, but in such a subtle and uncheesy way that you do not feel taken advantage of in the process. You just feel like someone is taking you for a nice long ride and telling you a beautiful story in the process.

I really loved this film. The acting was really good from everyone and the story is compelling. Very well done.

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