War Horse Movie Review (2024)

Common Sense Media Review

War Horse Movie Review (1) By Sandie Angulo Chen , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

Spielberg's sweeping horse drama is beautiful but intense.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 13+?

Any Positive Content?

  • Violence & Scariness

    some

    The war scenes aren't sugar-coated. They're not as graphic as the R-rated Saving Private Ryan, but there's definitely a body count -- with dead and injured soldiers and horses shown. Most of the disturbing war scenes are in the movie's second half. Particularly upsetting moments include two young soldiers being shot for deserting, other key supporting characters (including a horse) being killed in action or from exhaustion, and a major character being injured (it's unsure whether he'll make it or not).

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  • Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

    a little

    Mr. Narracott drinks and seems to be known for being drunk on a regular basis. He stumbles around and slurs his words on occasion.

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  • Language

    a little

    British slang/insults like "barmy," "bugger," "bloody," "daft," "stupid git," "old sod," "fool of a father," and the like. Also "hell," "damn," and "good lord" (as an exclamation).

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  • Sex, Romance & Nudity

    none

    A teenager flirts with a girl he's driving around town; Albert shows off on Joey in front of them.

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  • Positive Role Models

    a lot

    Albert is an amazing young man. He's dedicated and disciplined to train and teach Joey and later to find him again. He's brave during battle and selfless in his actions. Despite his courage, he's also quite kind and sweet. A German soldier tries to save his younger brother from fighting, even if by doing so he endangers himself. A French grandfather and his sick, precocious granddaughter have a beautiful relationship that's combative but close.

  • Positive Messages

    some

    Albert and Joey's relationship is a story of perseverance, loyalty, and unwavering friendship. The two belong together, and Joey is committed not only to serving his country but to finding his beloved horse again. There are also messages about war -- both that it's an honor to serve your nation but that it's a tragedy to have to die for it.

  • Parents Need to Know

    Parents need to know that Steven Spielberg's adaptation of the English children's book and hit Broadway show, War Horse, depicts war in a realistic manner that's too intense for younger kids. Despite being an earnest, sentimental horse drama, the war sequences show soldiers being killed in action (and for desertion) as well as a field of dead cavalry horses. Three subplots focusing on families depict their own wartime tragedies, including a drunk father; a sick, orphaned granddaughter; and a soldier trying to save his underage brother from going to the front line. But the heart of this story is the touching bond between Albert and his beloved horse, Joey, who might be the bravest horse ever portrayed on film. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.

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Parent and Kid Reviews

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  • Parents say (33)
  • Kids say (63)

age 12+

Based on 33 parent reviews

Keshu R. Parent of 3-year-old

September 4, 2023

age 2+

barlow123 Parent of 8, 10 and 12-year-old

October 28, 2022

age 10+

Violence

Rate movie

See all 33 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In WAR HORSE, after English teenager Albert Narracott (Jeremy Irvine) sees a beautiful foal being born and his father, Mr. Narracott (Peter Mullan), spends the family's rent money to buy the thoroughbred at auction -- just to outbid his cruel landlord, Mr. Lyons (David Thewlis) -- Albie thinks the foal is his destiny. After agreeing to train "Joey" himself, Albie works tirelessly to teach the horse to plow a field. Against all odds, Albert and Joey succeed -- but when a storm damages the family's crops, Mr. Narracott is forced to sell Joey to a cavalry officer (Tom Hiddleston) setting out to fight in World War I. The action then follows Joey as he switches owners -- and sides -- in the Great War. Eventually, Albie is old enough to enlist and hopes to find his beloved Joey again.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:

Parents say (33):

Kids say (63):

This film combines two of Spielberg's favorite themes as a director -- family and war. The stand-out performances deserve credit for making the movie's 146 minutes worth your while. The cast is a virtual who's-who of rising English talent -- up-and-comer Irvine (making his feature debut), the always terrific Benedict Cumberbatch, and Thor breakout star Hiddleston as the earnest captain who buys Joey -- along with veteran supporting actors led by Emily Watson, who shines as Albert's wise, hardworking mother, who always knows what to say.

Yes, War Horse is long (nearly two and a half hours) and sentimental, but that's fine. The story demands emotional depth, especially in the second and third acts, when it's Joey the audience is following, not Albert. Between the gorgeous cinematography (all those lush landscapes and claustrophobic trenches) and the expert editing, the film doesn't drag. As epic dramas go, this one is more heart than heft, but it's a beautiful portrayal of the extraordinary friendship -- and circ*mstances -- surrounding a boy and his horse.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about War Horse's violence. What is its impact? Do you think it should have been toned down to make the movie even more family friendly?

  • Talk about the techniques Spielberg uses to "humanize" Joey. Do the extreme close-ups and swelling score make it easy to relate to the horse? Were you expecting the focus to shift to Joey's adventures instead of Albert's?

  • Why are horse movies so popular with audiences? Compare War Horse to other famous horse-centered films.

Movie Details

  • In theaters: December 25, 2011
  • On DVD or streaming: April 3, 2012
  • Cast: David Thewlis, Emily Watson, Jeremy Irvine
  • Director: Steven Spielberg
  • Inclusion Information: Female actors
  • Studio: DreamWorks
  • Genre: Drama
  • Topics: Book Characters, Great Boy Role Models, Horses and Farm Animals
  • Run time: 142 minutes
  • MPAA rating: PG-13
  • MPAA explanation: intense sequences of war violence
  • Last updated: May 11, 2024

Inclusion information powered by War Horse Movie Review (8)

Did we miss something on diversity?

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War Horse

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War Horse Movie Review (2024)

FAQs

What is the main message of War Horse? ›

Through Joey's perspective, the book explores the bond between humans and animals, the brutality of war, and the power of friendship. It is a heartwarming and poignant tale that captures the resilience and courage of both man and horse.

How historically accurate is the movie War Horse? ›

These are pretty minor quibbles, however, and the film actually paints a surprisingly accurate picture of the role played by horses during the First World War.

What is the moral of the War Horse movie? ›

Courage is what keeps Joey and Albert going through four danger-filled years apart, and it is courage that becomes a theme woven through the entire texture and fabric of the film. “I think 'War Horse' has a lot to say about courage–and about doing things not just for yourself but for the sake of those you love.

What is the important quote from War Horse? ›

'I tell you that I am the only sane man in the regiment. It's the others that are mad, but they don't know it. They fight a war and they don't know what for.

What does a horse symbolize in war? ›

A horse with all four feet on the ground is said to represent a rider that was neither killed nor injured in battle but who died away from the battlefield of something unrelated to war or battle. A horse with both the legs in air is said to represent a rider who died in the battlefield, during a war.

What is the true story of War Horse? ›

The book tells the history of Warrior from his birth in an Isle of Wight field to his amazing life as a famous war horse, and how a combination of the horse's extraordinary character and some unbelievable twists of fate helped him survive a war which claimed the lives of so many horses.

Did any horse get hurt in the War Horse movie? ›

According to "War Horse" director Steven Spielberg, "Four million horses were killed in World War I and not just from shelling or gunfire, but from malnutrition and exposure." Spielberg depicts that brutal reality in his new film, but despite the harrowing situations they face, the equine heroes of Spielberg's latest ...

Did they use a real horse in War Horse? ›

During filming, fourteen different horses were used as the main horse character Joey, eight of them portraying him as an adult animal, four as a colt and two as a foal; four horses played the other main equine character, Topthorn. Up to 280 horses were used in a single scene.

How does Albert get to keep Joey? ›

The man, Emilie's grandfather, tells Albert how Emilie lost the will to live after the horses were taken. His deathbed promise to her was to make sure Joey was cared for. He sells Joey to Albert for one penny, as long as Albert promises to share Emilie's story so her life will not be in vain.

What happened to the girl in War Horse? ›

She wants to keep the horses with her forever, and it breaks her heart when Herr Major commandeers them for his artillery unit. After this final loss, she wastes away and eventually dies of sorrow and trauma at the young age of 15.

What is the main plot of War Horse? ›

Joey is a young farm horse, sold to the army at the beginning of the First World War. Through his eyes the reader experiences the devastation of the Western Front, his capture by the Germans and his entrapment in No Man's Land.

Why did Steven Spielberg make War Horse? ›

Spielberg said that he regarded War Horse as a "love story" with the horse as a metaphor for "common sense, or horse sense". He added that he made the film for his daughter, a keen rider, saying: "I don't ride but I know how to muck out a stable."

What was the real name of the horse in War Horse? ›

A miraculous horse named Joey is winning audiences' hearts in Steven Spielberg's new film adaptation of War Horse, including that of Catherine, duch*ess of Cambridge, who was moved to tears when she attended the London premiere this weekend.

What is Albert's dad's name in War Horse? ›

Plot. A man named Ted Narracott buys a colt for 30 guineas when he was supposed to buy a horse for plough at an auction. Ted's son, Albert, names the horse Joey and grows to love him, protecting him when Ted is drunk.

What is the message of the film War Horse? ›

"War Horse" is a fable about compassion vs cruelty. The story is simple, a boy and his horse survive World War I. The filmmaking elegantly depicts the costs of survival. Spielberg films are now routinely disavowed but I think WH is a fine motion picture with powerful insights, better than all the hipster films of 2011.

What is the primary focus of war horse? ›

Joey is a young farm horse, sold to the army at the beginning of the First World War. Through his eyes the reader experiences the devastation of the Western Front, his capture by the Germans and his entrapment in No Man's Land.

What is the purpose of war horse? ›

A war horse is often thought of as a huge cavalry charger or a smart officer's mount. But during the First World War (1914-18), horses' roles were much more varied. Their contribution included carrying and pulling supplies, ammunition, artillery and even the wounded.

What does the horse symbolize in the wars? ›

In Timothy Findley's "The Wars," the horses symbolize innocence, vulnerability, and the brutal impact of war on all living beings, reflecting the broader themes of suffering and loss in the novel.

What is the main plot of the war horse? ›

War Horse is a British war novel by Michael Morpurgo. It was first published in Great Britain by Kaye & Ward in 1982. The story recounts the experiences of Joey, a horse bought by the Army for service in World War I in France and the attempts of 15-year-old Albert, his previous owner, to bring him safely home.

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