The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Have you seen and/or read War Horse?

2K views 22 replies 15 participants last post by  QH Lover 
#1 ·
I was just wondering on everyones thoughts on the book of 'war horse' I read the book before I see the film and loved them both. I must say though I did enjoy the book a bit more, I think mainly because it was more detailed than the film. They both really captured my heart though, And yes you guessed it, Both had me in tears. I would recomend it to horse lovers, Sad bits but shows how much a bond can mean to both horse and human.

So I was wondering, What was others thoughts?

:-p
 
#2 ·
This is one of my favorite movies, but I found the horse behavior to be phony and stuff like that. I like the book better, but I still really like the movie too. That kinda relationship with the horse is what every horseman dreams about :D.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HorseCrazyTeen
#4 ·
Yeh I thought the same at times. I did love the film and although I was not expecting the film to be as detailed as the book (I find it rare that they are) I was still dissapointed it wasnt a little more detailed and more like the book and part of the story line hadnt been changed (eg. He was in the vet. regiment rather than frontline, Like in the film) but still such a good one.

While on the subject Michael Morpurgo the author, Ive actually stayed on his farm in Devon twice (when was 11 and 12 as part of school trip away) Hes amazing guy and love his books. Hes horse and donkeys were lovely too....Not so much the other jobs we had to do around the farm though :-| like the cows and pigs and sheep lol
 
#6 ·
Hated the movie. I went with my show team and trainer, and as we got through it, basically ended up making fun of it. There are some really terrible problems. I was especially irritated by the barbed wire part. I've seen a horse need to be put down after getting tangled in a lot less, that amount would be devastating.

I've haven't actually read the book. I haven't had time because of the IB program, but maybe this summer!
 
#7 ·
Actually, the barbed wire scene was one of the scenes l liked because it DID look serious.

I hated the whole plowing the field scene. It was pretty stupid.

But you know, I didn't have high expectations and it was a better movie than I expected.

I grew up with movies like The Black Stallion and Phar Lap. I loved those movies. I haven't seen a horse movie in recent years that I think is as good as those older ones. They all seem so corny and unrealistic by comparison. I really WANT to like them. And I am happy that there are horse movies being made. But they just don't seem as realistic. Maybe my expectations are too high.

I also felt the same way about The Black Stallion Returns. But it's a star compared to many of the newer movies. I just don't know why a horse movie can't be realistic and believable and not corny. I don't know if it's out or ignorance (surely not?) or they think they need to make the scenes unbelievable for people to like them? I really don't understand. Like the plowing scene for instance. Why did that have to be so unrealistic?
 
#8 ·
I do want to try and teach my neighbor's horse to come when you do that whistle thing with your hands like in the movie, that would be cool! The most phony part I thought was when they hooked Joey to the artillery gun and he runs to save the black horse from getting hooked on and then looks back to make sure he's ok, it's touching and cool, but unrealistic. Same with the part where Joey sticks his head through collar harness (I think that's what it's called) to show the black horse how to do it and not to be afraid. Still love the movie though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HorseCrazyTeen
#9 ·
Yeh I def agree about bit being unrelistic. Its kind of like they want the 'world of horses' to look all great and hero like and all bad ends in good, Which although would be nice like that, Its not reality and sometimes my concern is people getting the wrong ideas about horses and owning horses if you get me. Like its a easy ride and that all the 'bad' ends up good. I hope Im making sence and your getting at what Im trying to put across. :)
 
#10 ·
I just saw the play and I've seen the movie. I LOVED the play. The puppets they used were at least 16hh and so life like. It was dramatic. Had highly skilled actors. And really felt like you were there. They got the mannerisms of the horses down so well. The playreally illustrated thebond equestrians have to our horses.
That being said I didn't like the movie. When you're on stage there can be an overly dramatic feel hat should not be repeated in movie form. I mostly didn't like Joey's owner. I thought he was mentally low. You can't teach a horse to plow by telling it. In the play they used his alcoholic dad to advance the plot instead of the boy just doing dumb stuff and getting scolded.
I feel like the movie could have been good but they didn't change it enough from the play. I've never read the book .
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#17 ·
The book was okay. I mean, it wasn't real factual and it was pretty fluffified, but what more can you expect of a kids' book?

The movie? That was, by far, the very worst movie I've ever seen in my entire life. Movies like that are the main reason why so many first time horse buyers get in way over their head. They see all those movies and then go out and buy a foal or a stallion or adopt an unhandled mustang and believe that, if they give them treats and talk to them in a stupid fashion and luv them, that the horse will end up perfect and they'll have this amaazzing majikal bond.

I went to see it in the theater honestly thinking that it might be an improvement on the book, after all, they had the budget to do whatever they wanted but I was so disappointed. I would have walked out after about 10 minutes but I kept clinging to the ridiculous hope that it might get better.

Wrong.

Granted, the acting was good and the movie was well made, but the story and the script was just utter shinola.
 
#18 ·
The book was okay. I mean, it wasn't real factual and it was pretty fluffified, but what more can you expect of a kids' book?

The movie? That was, by far, the very worst movie I've ever seen in my entire life. Movies like that are the main reason why so many first time horse buyers get in way over their head. They see all those movies and then go out and buy a foal or a stallion or adopt an unhandled mustang and believe that, if they give them treats and talk to them in a stupid fashion and luv them, that the horse will end up perfect and they'll have this amaazzing majikal bond.

I went to see it in the theater honestly thinking that it might be an improvement on the book, after all, they had the budget to do whatever they wanted but I was so disappointed. I would have walked out after about 10 minutes but I kept clinging to the ridiculous hope that it might get better.

Wrong.

Granted, the acting was good and the movie was well made, but the story and the script was just utter shinola.
YES YES YES! Exactly! I have always blamed main stream media for first timer's getting an OTTB and thinking that they can ride it bareback without a bridle because they have a "speshial bond wiff da horsey". It doesn't work like that at all. They get hurt and then go "WHY DON'T YOU LOVE ME?!".

I don't know if this was one of the worst movies. I think Flicka has this one beat. I have a personal vendetta against that movie :evil:
 
#19 ·
I have read the book and seen the movie...I like the book better then the movie, however, it just seemed like a 21st century Black Beauty redo to me. I really want to go see the broadway musical! I think the puppeteers are amazing and actually move the puppets to look like real horses.
 
#20 ·
Yeh Flicka is a good film :)

It is a shame that a lot of people dont rate War horse as very good because the build up for it and the promotions etc for it made it seam like it was going to be a great and realistic film and every one seams to think diffrently about it.
 
#22 ·
I think they ruined horse films with everything made after Mr.Ed. They couldn't figure out how to outdo themselves when they started out with the very best horse show to ever hit the big time...

I mean seriously,, how do you top the bond between human and horse when you can get the horse relaxed enough to talk human language?
 
#23 ·
Lol I just posted a thread about how unrealistic the movie is...I loved the plot of the book, could've been written better though...
The movie IS very unrealistic :/ but they definitely did a good job at making it extremely depressing D:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top