Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Benedict Cumberbatch and Emily Watson
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Britain are as well-known as Tom Hiddleston. Ever since rise to fame in the 1990’s, Hiddleston has created fantastic movies. Whether it’s tormented war soldiers, Demi-gods with hammers or powerful political leaders, Hiddleston has played many bold characters. Arguably, Hiddlestone’s greatest strength as an actor is his powerful presence. He is one of rare actors that has always had a talent for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen-time. Even when he is not a main attraction of a film, Hiddleston has left a lasting impression. Although he is best known for playing Loki in the MCU, Hiddleston has proven he can play roles in every genre. By his ability to craft characters that are compelling, Hiddleston has built a legacy which is lasting. A British icon, Hiddleston has become a star audiences cherish. Throughout an impressive career, Hiddleston has starred in memorable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a big fan of Hiddleston and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “War Horse” is my personal favourite. Ever since its release in 2011, Steven Spielberg’s movie has stood the test of time as a World War II classic. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best period piece movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Tom Hiddleston, who plays a soldier seeking to care for a horse companion. Ultimately, what makes “War Horse” a classic war movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about WWII, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. A bold period piece about race horses that are frightening, there’s many strong reasons why “War Horse” is a film worth seeing.
Set during World War I, “War Horse” tells the story of a horse that becomes a soldier’s life companion. Jeremy Irvine portrays Albert, a dairy farmer that has always shared a strong bond with horses that he often regards with affection. Albert’s dreams come true when he is given chances to care for a Calvary horse of value. Joey is a high-spirited horse which has always had love for embarking on adventures causing adversity. However, Albert’s bond with Joey comes to sudden closure when his horse is sold into warfare disaster. Taken under wing of Captain James Nicholls (Tom Hiddleston), Joey is given a chance to showcase talents in warfare. Joey embarks upon a journey to find identity against the backdrop of war tragedies. While Joey participates in World War I, Albert missed a horse that had become a companion. Unable to leave his celebrated horse behind, Albert embarks upon a dangerous journey to find a horse that’s one-of-a-kind. Facing a dilemma, Albert questions if he will ever reunite with his commemorated horse in a war-torn era.
Steven Spielberg is fascinated with themes of war. A world-famous filmmaker, Spielberg has often made engaging movies about veterans in war disaster. His Oscar-winning movie “Saving Private Ryan” captured soldiers embarking on a journey in a terrifying battle causing tension. With “War Horse”, however, Spielberg created his first horse drama. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the journey of war horses in British history but he succeeded tremendously. Using spellbinding cinematography, Spielberg captures a war horse embarking on a journey during WWI in history. Inspired with Gary Ross’ “Seabiscuit”, Spielberg expertly uses montages to capture horses embarking on a journey in a time of war in history. For instance, montages enhance the horse training scene. During this unforgettable scene, Albert meets Joey for the first time forming a powerful bond with a horse thar becomes his companion. Using montage, Spielberg creates a portrait of horses which is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in history movies. As Joss Whedon’s “The Avengers” suggested, montages elevate comic book blockbusters. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Spielberg captures the tensions that horses participating in war are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “War Horse” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Spielberg uses effective production design to capture horses engaging in warfare that shine. Spielberg’s decisions to use real life horses in the movie is risky but it works well. For instance, the real-life horses enhance the selling scene. During this unforgettable scene, Albert is heartbroken to witness his horse sold into warfare causing adversity. Through using real-life horses, Spielberg creates a portrait of war which audiences can relate to. Real-life horses are tricky to use in movies. That being said, it works in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. John Williams’ music is key toward the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that horses participating in warfare bear. Through phenomenal production design, Spielberg captures horses with cavalry that shine.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “War Horse” is a film about war that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively employs silence to capture the bond between horses and veterans. Throughout the movie, Spielberg uses sequences of silence to convey bonds between horses and soldiers enduring tensions. For instance, silence enhances the farewells scene. During this heartfelt scene, Albert bids emotional farewell to his horse as it is sold into warfare. Through sequences of silence, Spielberg creates a portrait of bonds between horses and humans audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris” demonstrated, silence enhances movies about Paris. Kenneth Branagh’s “Thor” proved that silence elevates comic-book films about Demi-gods. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Spielberg captures horses that face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Tom Hiddleston delivers one of his best career performances as Captain Nicholls. Hiddleston first earned appreciation for portraying Demi-gods in comic-book movies. With “War Horse”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a solider seeking to care for a horse in WWI history but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and inner conflict of a troubled soldier embarking on a commemorated journey to discover his identity. Hiddleston has often excelled at playing emotional heroes that are under pressure, and “War Horse” exhibited his strengths as an actor. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the most commemorated actors in Britain today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Tom Hiddleston, the supporting cast is also excellent and worthy of appreciations. Jeremy Irvine is incredible, capturing the sadness of a farmer whose routine becomes disrupted when his horse is sold into warfares with frightening consequences seen. Emily Watson is excellent, capturing the compassion of a mother seeking to care for impoverished family facing tension. Last, Benedict Cumberbatch deserves praise. As a tormented solider on a mission, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “War Horse” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing war horses enduring tension. Unlike most WWI movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, dedication and trauma which would definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with WWI history to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about warfare that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “War Horse” is one of those rare war films that everyone will adore.
Fans of Tom Hiddleston will definitely enjoy “War Horse” and so will movie-goers which seek exhilarating entertainment. A riveting WWI drama, it honours an iconic actor with charisma.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about courageous horses that participate in warfare causing despair, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated British actor that has manufactured a successful career through portraying complex characters in memorable movies about which audiences deeply care.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 