War Horse

     Once a year there is a film that will rivet it's audience to their core. A film that can be admired by families around the world. This year that film is War Horse, a Steven Spielberg adaptation of a Tony award-winning play of the same name. War Horse is the story of a boy named Albert and his bond with his horse Joey during World War I.

     Seldom are we graced with a quality film that was adapted from a play, which in turn was adapted from a best selling novel. "War Horse" was originally published by Michael Morpurgo in 1982, the book was adapted as a Broadway play in 2007. War Horse the play went on to storm the American Theater Wing's Tony Awards with five awards and wins. Now when undertaking an adaptation of this magnitude the only person I would trust would be Steven Spielberg. Only the director of Saving Private Ryan and Empire of the Sun could replicate a touching tale of love and hardship during wartime.
      War Horse begins with a young Albert (Jeremy Irvine) witnessing the birth of a foal. It quickly develops as we see the foal progress in age from a handsome colt to a dazzling thoroughbred. At the appropriate age this horse is sold to Albert's family and this is where the story truly begins. Albert soon trains Joey (the horse) to be the family's indentured servant. As the training progresses so does the bond between Albert and Joey. That is until one day Joey is sold to the cavalry to cover debts accumulated by the farm. It is here that Joey stops being a work horse and becomes a war horse.
     What makes War Horse different from any other war film, is that it's heart lies in an animal, not the people fighting the war. This is more about a journey through unfortunate circumstance and survival, than it is about conflicts between rival factions. We watch in awe and sometimes humor as Joey journeys across Europe during World War I. This film is littered with irony and adventure of epic proportions. This is a film that children and families alike can enjoy time and time again. Truly, Steven Spielberg has woven another tale that will live on in the hearts and memories of all who see it.

Rating: 5 (Maximum of 5) - A superb and emotional film that will leave you breathless.