Films of Steven Spielberg is always a holiday for any admirer of his work and cinema as a whole. Most of all, the director succeeded in dramas, which tell sincere life stories and famous actors. "War Horse" was no exception, telling the world about the amazing and sometimes tragic fate of an extraordinary horse. The film was released in Russian rental in 2012, and it was immediately waiting for the box office success and excellent criticism.
Plot
The plot was based on the book of the same name written by Michael Morpurgo, as well as a play put on it in 2007. The story unfolds during the First World War in England. The protagonist, a boy named Albert Narracott, lives on a rented farm with his parents and passionately loves horses. Once he and his father go to an auction, where after tedious bidding, the father buys a foal of a purebred mare for fabulous money. Because of this acquisition, the family is unable to pay rent to landlord Lyons. The only way to stay on the farm is to plow a rocky field, which is practically not amenable to processing, and to plant it with turnip. Albert undertakes to train a horse that is not adapted for such hard work, as a result of which he becomes very attached to it. He calls him Joey and spends all his free time with a new friend. But merciless war and extreme need separate the comrades, and both have to go through a lot of obstacles on the way before meeting again.
Steven Spielberg
The director was one of the most iconic and respected directors of our time, Steven Spielberg. As in other works of the master, in the film “War Horse” the actors and roles performed by them are of fundamental importance. Spielberg's films have been breakthrough in the careers of many performers, including Tom Hanks, Liam Neeson and Harrison Ford. The novel by Morpurgo, discovered by the director, immediately won his heart, and he immediately decided to make a film according to the script, which for a long time was in the hands of simple enthusiasts. True, it was later redone by Richard Curtis.
A month after the announcement of the project, Spielberg also reported on which actors will star in the film. Thanks to the amazing scenario, technical component and painstakingly outlined characters, “War Horse” received 5 Oscar nominations at once. But this is not so surprising when such a professional takes up the matter.
Jeremy Irwin
All aspiring actors dream of a leading role at Spielberg. "War Horse" was the debut in full meter for the British actor Jeremy Irwin. Until that moment, he starred in only one series called "Life Bites." Participation in such a high-profile film, and even with such a famous director, immediately shed light on the personality of a hitherto unknown guy. Immediately after the release of the movie "War Horse", reviews of his excellent game and all kinds of praise fell upon the young artist in a rapid stream. As a result of this, Irwin even received “Palm Branch” as the best young actor from the company “Shopar”. After that, he managed to light up in the foreground in such films as "Great Expectations", "Retribution", "Game of Survival" and "Now is the time." And in 2016, it is planned to release three pictures at once with his participation.
Before the war
The actors of the movie “War Horse” can be conditionally divided into 2 parts. The first appear in the plot before the war, and the rest - already during the unfolding battles. The mother of the protagonist, Rose Narracott, was played by the famous and respected British actress Emily Watson. Her filmography is a decent list of paintings, including masterpieces such as "Breaking the Waves", "Red Dragon", "The Thief of Books" and "Miss Potter". Her on-screen spouse was Peter Mullan, the owner of the "Palm Branch" for "My name is Joe." He also starred in such beautiful films as Boy A and Tyrannosaurus. And the popular English actor David Thewlis, known to the audience for the role of Professor Lupine in Harry Potter, played a stern landlord.
During the war
In the film "War Horse" the roles of the war period went to no less famous and talented British actors. The image of Captain Nicholls was embodied on the screen by the magnificent Tom Hiddleston. World fame came to him the year before, after participating as the main antagonist of the picture “Thor” by Loki. The role of Major Jamie Stewart went to the equally popular Benedict Cumberbatch, who became famous thanks to the series “Sherlock”. During the war years, a brave horse appears on a farm with the girls Emily and her grandfather, who were played by Selina Buckens and Nils Arerestrup, respectively. Also in the film were Toby Kebbell, Eddie Marsan, David Cross and Robert Emms. The fate of their heroes is directly or indirectly related to the life of an unusual horse, who has seen many other characters in his wanderings.
In all aspects, Spielberg’s painting is perfected and worthy of the highest praise, which have been expressed in countless nominations for prestigious prizes. But it is also worth agreeing that if the actors were not so involved in the roles in the roles, the War Horse would hardly have become so sincere and memorable.