War Horse

Completely gorgeous film - I was expecting the usual graphic blood and guts and was so pleased they got the message across without.

Me too greenmossgiel. We both were very moved and had tears. Having seen the stage version 18 months ago where we were blown away by it,we still found this film gripping and emotional. well done Spielberg for his interpretation.

Just been to see Warhorse. Really well done. Loved it and could recommend it to anyone. Sad as well as heartwarming!

Yes, crimson, I have seen Show of Hands at Sidmouth several times and in several other places. I don't know whether they will be there this year yet.
When I was researching my family tree I found lots of information about my grandfather who I never met as he died when my father was a child. He came home safely but died at the age of 43. I thought it might have been from the effects of gas or something but it was a gastric problem. I also found that a distant ancestor won the Victoria Cross and got through the war, only to die in Alexandria in 1918 having just got married.

I am going to tell DH about this film because he is fascinated by WW1 and always watching the old black and white footage. I think this might be because his father went to war when he was only 15 after being given a white feather. His father's father was also there. Grandfather did not come back, father did and went on to marry and have a large family but died when my husband (the 11th child) was only five.

So many young lives lost. Can't imagine what it was [is] like to be the mother of a son at such times. crossstitchgill; do you ever see Show of Hands at Sidmouth?

Not to do with horses but WW1 in general.
My late MILs brother served in WW1 and was killed in action aged just 18. When my husband was going through his mother's things after her death we found a photo of her brother, in uniform, with his girlfriend. MIL had wrote on the back, '' My brother on leave from the war.He was killed when he went back''.It brought tears to my eyes. We did not know the name of his girlfriend but it must have been awful for her.

The film was wonderful! I had a tear running down my cheek at the end but managed to wipe it away before leaving the cinema. The scenery was spectacular and the horses were well trained. I am glad I went. We saw John Tams at a folk club last November and he said there was to be a concert of the music from the stage show in March but neither of the London theatres which staged the show knew anything about it. I see from John Tams' website that the music is to be performed at the Sidmouth Folk week so I shall have to try and see it there.

This time last year we saw John Tams at a folk concert, and he was just about to fly out to America to work on the film. He came to our cinema to give a talk before the first showing of the film, but I forgot to book the tickets..they sold very quickly!

I went to see the film on Friday. It really is brilliant and worthy of every accolade. It will make you cry but it shouldn't be missed. I came out of the cinema with mascara all over my face! It is an incredible story and Speilberg has triumphed again!

I am planning on seeing the film tomorrow afternoon and I had trouble watching the trailer too. My husband and I went to see the stage show at the National and found ourselves joining in the songs which we knew as we are fans of John Tams who created the music for the show. The film music was written by John Williams who has composed many film scores but I think there has been a bit of collaboration with John Tams.

The horse trainer is Bobby Lovgren. He uses his own horse, Finder , as one of the 'Joeys' [he was also in Seabiscuit]. He says 'if I am there, my horse has confidence..we have never betrayed that confidence'. I very much doubt that Spielberg would have allowed any horse to be harmed during filming. When Joey gallops across no mans land, there is actually someone riding him. It goes on to say 'it seems Bobby can ask a horse to do almost anything..but working on the film could not have ben safer'. This is from the article in last weeks Observer.

Skinner - wasn't he the one that trained pigeons to turn summersaults? That's about all I can remember about my DipEd Psychology - oh, and Pavlov's dogs

Hi there
I think the regs are very strict.
And to train an animal to do complicated things it works better if you reward them. As BF Skinner demonstrated.

I'm a bit worried about how the (real life) horses are treated on set. I know they are trained to do things like drop dead and such like but I can't believe there is no cruelty involved. Or danger.
I know in the old days (cowboy films) they were deliberately tripped up on hidden wire and many of them ended up having to be shot.

I'm going to see the stage production soon and have the tissues ready.

If it was all sadness it wouldn't be the worlwide hit that it's fast becoming. Yes, there are sad moments [it's about a war that killed countless lives] but it's uplifting and full of hope for mankind. The First World War is fast fading out of people's conciousness, a book/play such as this keeps it fresh in our minds [Morpugos' books are studied in school]. It make us remember and face the horrors of war, but with a message that mankind is intringically good and decent, and that is what will ultimately prevail. To think that, when we went to see it, we were worried that the play was not going to continue [it had moved theatre once]. I understand that Japan are building a theatre specifically to show it [somehow the puppet horses seem Japanese in a way I can't explain; perhaps I've seen pictures of Japanese war horses in the past?], and it's going to Australia also. Sometimes, as an 'animal' we need to see ourselves as other creatures perceive us? It's not gloom and doom, but the most uplifting thing I have ever seen.

yogagran I saw one of the puppets on television and was mesmerised so perhaps the stage version might be the better option for me.

Carol yes greyhounds are beautiful creatures, they have a very special place in my heart. As gracesmum has mentioned people are often mistaken in thinking that they need lots of exercise ha ha ha they are the couch potatoes of the canine world. One of my neighbours mentioned that Basset Hounds were used to hunt hares? Is that a fact?

gracesmum I have added a couple of photo's to my profile.

War horse isn't all sadness and those of you who say you can't see it because you'll cry are missing an amazing experience. I was "blown away" by the stage version. The body language of the puppets is so realistic. Quite brilliant. I'm going to be in Toronto in February & my son has booked tickets for us to see it again there. Not sure that I'll get to see the film though as I often prefer to see just one version & keep those memories intact

We're going to see Warhorse on Tuesday. I hope I'll be 'alright' .

Here is one dog lover who appreciates greyhounds. I have a basset hound now, but have always adored greyhounds - beautiful creatures!

Other dog-people often don't appreciate greyhounds, they think they are too thin or that they need lots of exercise. When asked if she "keeps me fit" I just smile bravely. (See my photos for a pic of her!)

gracesmum.......I have 3 hounds all seniors. One is a retired racer, one is registered to race but wouldn't and number 3 is a greyhound/saluki x. Nobody wanted him because he was so lively. Don't they make wonderful pets?

I think I will have to donate my book to a greyhound charity sooner or later I hadn't realised there was also a video. I couldn't bear to watch it.

Lovely to meet someone else who is mad about greyhounds.

Sook - I was given the DVD of Born To Run by sister in law who thought I would like it as I am mad about greyhounds and we have our 3rd retired racing greyhound.
Don't want to spoil it for anybody - but DON'T WATCH IT if you are a greyhound - (or even a dog-) lover.

My husband bought me Born to Run by Michael Morpurgo for a Christmas present a few years ago, it's about a greyhound, a breed and cause to which I am absolutely devoted to. Sadly it lies in my bedside drawer unread because I know it will make me unbearably sad. There is absolutely no chance that I would be able to read War Horse or sit through the film.

I read Black Beauty once as a child and I got part way through Bambi before I rushed out of the room blubbering because Bambis' mother got shot.

I am a total wimp.