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War Horse

Play trailer Poster for War Horse PG-13 Released Dec 25, 2011 2h 26m History Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
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74% Tomatometer 241 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Albert (Jeremy Irvine) and his beloved horse, Joey, live on a farm in the British countryside. At the outbreak of World War I, Albert and Joey are forcibly parted when Albert's father sells the horse to the British cavalry. Against the backdrop of the Great War, Joey begins an odyssey full of danger, joy and sorrow, and he transforms everyone he meets along the way. Meanwhile Albert, unable to forget his equine friend, searches the battlefields of France to find Joey and bring him home.
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War Horse

War Horse

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Critics Consensus

Technically superb, proudly sentimental, and unabashedly old-fashioned, War Horse is an emotional drama that tugs the heartstrings with Spielberg's customary flair.

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Critics Reviews

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Wendy Ide Times (UK) Spielberg is mindful of the family audience, but still captures the misery of trench combat. Nov 16, 2022 Full Review Deborah Ross The Spectator This is always emotionally obvious, as well as consistently predictable. Something important has been lost in translation that cannot be compensated for by realism or pictorial beauty. Aug 31, 2018 Full Review Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films [Not] entirely satisfying … Somehow, though, the sum of the parts are more than the whole … It is a film of a kind we don't see any more, that it would be good to see more of. Rated: B+ Feb 22, 2012 Full Review Michael Leader Den of Geek War Horse finds it hard to say even something comforting about the Great War. Instead, it poses a question: is the Hollywood master, with his recent record in mind, starting to lose his touch? Rated: 2/5 May 8, 2024 Full Review Iván Kazi EscribiendoCine War Horse marks Spielberg's return to the war genre and the continuance of his journey along the promised path. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 10/10 Jun 21, 2023 Full Review Danilo Castro Next Best Picture “War Horse” is a solid effort from an all-time filmmaker, so it will always be looked upon as lesser. If someone else had made it, its reputation might be better, but as it stands, it’s a solid effort with some remarkable flourishes and structural flaws. Rated: 7/10 Mar 23, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Xiomara T This is an amazing movie, it will really get your emotions. It's a touching story of love, loss and loyalty set against the backdrop of World War I. Expect to get emotional, the visuals are stunning and the performances heartwarming. Jeremy Irvine is perfect as Albert, the boy who owns the brave horse Joey. This movie explores themes of hope, determination and the bond between people and animals and so everyone can relate to it. You should have your tissues ready, you will need them for sure. I recommended this movie for anyone who has owned a pet or just wants to watch a good movie and cry. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/15/25 Full Review kris k The movie War Horse, directed and produced by Steven Spielberg, Is a movie about a man and his pet horse, that he kept very close to him. the boys name is Albert, and the Horse's name is Joey. throughout the movie, they bond, and make memories. that is until they are sent out to war. It is a very intense movie. There are a lot of realistic war scenes when you feel as if it is over. But they strive, and overcome all the obstacles. It keeps you on your feet wondering if the boy and the horse will reunite again, or not. I think it is a 6.5/10, It could use more jokes and horse-playing. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/14/25 Full Review Vahe M War Horse is a movie about a horse named Joey who goes through a lot during World War I. The film shows how Joey’s life connects with different people, and it’s really emotional. The scenery is beautiful, and the war scenes are intense, so it’s hard to stop watching. Sometimes, though, the movie feels like it’s trying too hard to make you cry. There were moments where I thought, “Okay, I get it—horses are amazing, and war is sad!” But even with all the drama, I still found myself caring about Joey and hoping he’d make it through. Overall, War Horse is a good movie if you like stories about animals, history, or just want to feel something. It’s not perfect, but it’s worth watching. Just be ready with tissues because it’s definitely sad in parts! I didn’t think I’d care so much about a horse, but Joey’s story really got to me. My favorite part was when he ran through the battlefield—it was so intense and exciting! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/25 Full Review Oh G War Horse is a powerful play about a boy Albert and his horse Joey during World War I. The horse is brought to life in a unique way making Joey feel alive. The music adds to the emotional impact. The war scenes are intense but also show moments of hope. The actors bring the story to life especially in showing the bond between Albert and Joey. The pacing keeps you engaged. The play explores loyalty friendship and the cost of war. It's a beautiful and unforgettable experience. -Julia E Habashi Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/11/25 Full Review Sophia B This movie takes you into a journey through history. Showing from a horses perspective. As the horse sets of on his journey, he ends up with a lovely owners just wanting to keep there farm a float. As the story progresses he experiences the chaos and twist of the World War l. Meeting a variety of people on his way. I feel this movie perfectly displays the story of the war and make you wonder what will truly happen in the end? Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/11/25 Full Review Audience Member War Horse by Steven Spielberg was an emotionally well-written film showing loyalty and the bond between a young man and his horse. The cinematography shocked me with beautiful scenes, almost like each frame was a portrait. With the changing ownership of the horse through war, I felt myself connected to the struggles of every character in the film. Jeremy Irvine's performance of Albert was extremely well-played and written. The orchestral score by John Williams in the movie is masterful by bringing all the sad and gruesome scenes to light. I found a few scenes sentimental and I appreciate how the movie balanced its emotional weight with the realism of war brutality. Genuinely War Horse changed my life and I highly recommend it to people who haven't already watched it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/08/25 Full Review Read all reviews
War Horse

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Movie Info

Synopsis Albert (Jeremy Irvine) and his beloved horse, Joey, live on a farm in the British countryside. At the outbreak of World War I, Albert and Joey are forcibly parted when Albert's father sells the horse to the British cavalry. Against the backdrop of the Great War, Joey begins an odyssey full of danger, joy and sorrow, and he transforms everyone he meets along the way. Meanwhile Albert, unable to forget his equine friend, searches the battlefields of France to find Joey and bring him home.
Director
Steven Spielberg
Producer
Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy
Screenwriter
Lee Hall, Richard Curtis
Distributor
DreamWorks SKG
Production Co
Amblin Entertainment, Kennedy/Marshall
Rating
PG-13 (Intense Seq. of War Violence)
Genre
History, Drama, War
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 25, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 23, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$79.9M
Runtime
2h 26m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital
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