War Horse

Separated by war. Tested by war. Bound by friendship.

WAR HORSE (15)

D: Steven Spielberg

Touchstone/Dreamworks/Amblin (Steven Spielberg & Kathleen Kennedy)

US 2011

146 mins

War/Drama

W: Lee Hall & Richard Curtis [based on the play by Nick Stafford; novel by Michael Morpurgo]

DP: Janusz Kaminski

Ed: Michael Kahn

Mus: John Williams

PD: Rick Carter

Jeremy Irvine (Albert Narracott), Emily Watson (Rose Narracott), Tom Hiddlestone (Capt. James Nicholls) Benedict Cumberbatch (Maj. Jamie Stewart), David Thewlis (Lyons), Peter Mullan (Ted Narracott)

A young man follows his beloved stallion into the battlegrounds and trenches of the First World War, where it becomes an inspiration to Allied soldiers.

The meticulous amount of craft involved in adapting this stage play to the bud screen makes it a wonder to behold, but vast parts of this 146-minute drama are far too meandering. Technically excellent, but perhaps one has to see the stage play to enjoy the film more.

7/10