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In War Horse, the horse steals the show

Posted: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 11:27 AM

WAR HORSE

photo courtesy of David Appleby/DreamWorks II Distribution Co. LLC

by Alex Brown

I will admit that when I went to see War Horse, which was released on Christmas Day, I was hoping to see a great movie. The horse’s place in modern culture continues to slide as its roles diminish. A great movie can help restore the horse’s place in our imagination. I had read the book, and loved it. I had seen the play and enjoyed that, too, although I was so intrigued by the puppets that played the horses, I was a little distracted from the story itself. No matter how good the book is, or the play, a movie is going to be much more accessible to the public, so it was important that this was a well-executed adaptation. I believe it was.

The best acting in the movie was from the equine star who played Joey, Finders Key. Often in horse movies, as a horseman, you cringe at a couple of scenes because they are either unrealistic or simply incorrect. Such scenes may work for those who are not horsemen, but not for us. In War Horse, Joey’s role was brilliant, and very well done. I found Joey to be engaging, almost humorous at times. He was stoic when required, compassionate and playful, and much more.

When I first learned who was playing the part of Joey, a Thoroughbred named Finders Key, I wanted to know more about the horse. Finders Key is a great example of a now-13-year-old Thoroughbred who was simply in the wrong role when he was a racehorse. He started only three times, all in $2,500 maiden-claiming races at Los Alamitos Race Course, and never placed. He now has a few movie credits to his name, and certainly his performance in War Horse should guarantee him a great career going forward.

For me, the “No Man’s Land” scene was the best few minutes of the movie. Not only does it highlight the inhumanity of war, but more importantly how a horse can halt the madness and elicit cooperation and friendship among people. Joey highlighted humanity from both sides throughout the movie, but specifically in that scene. Because the movie is set during World War I, some may be offended by its violence.

Joey ultimately became a symbol of hope to those who survived the wretchedness of trench warfare during the four years of war. This hopefulness ensured that he would then not be betrayed; he would not suffer the same fate of many other war horses who actually survived the war only to be sold at auction after the war was over.

Finders Key will not win an Oscar for his performance, but perhaps it is an opportunity for our industry to highlight second careers for Thoroughbreds by honoring him with a Special Eclipse Award.

Overall, I think this is a terrific film for any animal lover, and a movie that horsemen will love if only for its realism.

Alex Brown is author of the 2011 book Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and His Legacy. Follow him on Twitter at @alexbrownracing

READER COMMENTS

Posted by: hornsix1, palmyra, NJ on January 05, 2012 at 07:37 PM I read this w/o seeing who authored it. I was thinking how well written it was and in agreement with my own assessment of the movie and then looked at the author's name and thought, "No wonder!" Thank you, Alex. To your sentiments I would add that the following was a distraction to my enjoyment of the movie: Being a "horse person" myself and knowing the unwavering loyalty and trust that horses show toward humans, I found it disturbing that humans have betrayed that loyalty by involving horses in the ugly business we call "war". Going into the movie, I knew it happened, but seeing it played out on the screen completely incensed me! Report Abuse Posted by: ronelle, Orange, CA on January 05, 2012 at 04:17 PM Some horses win our hearts; which is sometimes more iomportant than winning a $2500 claiming purse. I am alway glad when an ex-race horse finds the right 2nd home. Finders Key did a great job. Report Abuse Posted by: Hansenlover!, Horseland, IL on January 05, 2012 at 02:17 PM The most beautiful and heart breaking movie i have ever seen! And the fact that the horse was played by a ex-racehorse just made it better!! four stars for sure! Report Abuse Posted by: Hansenlover!, Horseland, IL on January 05, 2012 at 02:15 PM The most beautiful and heart breaking movie i have ever seen! And the fact that the horse was played by a ex-racehorse just made it better!! four stars for sure! Report Abuse Posted by: hillbilly, charles town, WV on January 04, 2012 at 02:13 PM he started 4 times not 3....two times 5th,two times 7th... Report Abuse