“War Horse” (2011) is an epic war drama directed by Steven Spielberg that tells a heart-wrenching story of friendship, loyalty, and survival during the turmoil of World War I. Based on Michael Morpurgo’s novel, the film follows the extraordinary bond between a young man and his horse, Joey, as they navigate the horrors of war, showcasing the resilience of both humans and animals in the face of unimaginable adversity.
The story begins in rural England, where a boy named Albert Narracott (Jeremy Irvine) forms a deep connection with a horse named Joey, who is sold to the army during the outbreak of World War I. As Joey is sent to the front lines, Albert, devastated by the loss of his companion, enlists in the military, determined to find and bring Joey home. The film chronicles Joey’s journey through the war, as he is passed from one soldier to another, experiencing the brutality of combat and the kindness of those who form bonds with him. Meanwhile, Albert’s search for Joey takes him across the battlefields of Europe, where both human and animal characters struggle to survive in the chaos of war.
War Horse explores themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the impact of war on both soldiers and animals. The film portrays the horrors of war through the lens of both human and animal experiences, offering a poignant look at the cost of conflict. It also emphasizes the power of companionship and the unspoken bond that transcends species, highlighting the deep emotional connections formed in the most dire circumstances.
The Germans use Joey and Topthorn to haul artillery, under the care of Private Friedrich Hengelmann. He cares for them as best as he can, but the severely worn Topthorn succumbs to exhaustion from overwork and dies. Devastated over this loss, Hengelmann rebels against his commanders and is detained, but not before freeing Joey from his reins. Joey gallops into no man’s land and evades a tank but is entangled in barbed wire. Colin, a British soldier, makes his way to Joey under a white flag and tries to free him. Peter, a German soldier, comes over with wire cutters, and together they rescue Joey.
To decide who should take the horse, they flip a coin. Colin wins and guides the injured Joey to the British trench. Albert hears about Joey’s rescue while recuperating. Just as Joey is about to be put down by a doctor who deems the horse too injured to recover, Joey hears Albert’s owl call. Albert, his eyes still bandaged, is able to describe Joey in perfect detail, and the two are reunited. The doctor decides to nurse Joey back to health.
