The Film
After an unnecessary and uninspired remake of War of the Worlds and the train wreck that was Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, it's easy to see why Steven Spielberg chose to change gears, look backward, and tell a simpler story with guaranteed, universal appeal. War Horse may be manipulative in its relentless tugging on your heartstrings, but it's an easy film to like and one that's simply beautiful to behold - especially on Blu-ray.
Starting in Devon, England just before World War I, War Horse tells the story of Joey, a lively thoroughbred purchased in a fit of drunken stubbornness by a poor farmer (Peter Mullan) sent to town to purchase a plow horse to help tend the fields. Although the farmer's wife (Emily Watson) is furious upon his return, his son Albert (Jeremy Irvine) is thrilled, vowing to train Joey and turn him into the horse the family so desperately needs.
The bond between Albert and Joey anchors the film, but hard times and the war conspire to separate the pair. It's at this point that the story of War Horse begins to earn its namesake. Bringing out the best in everyone he encounters, Joey inspires as a symbol of determination amid the horrors of war. Watching Joey move from one setting to the next, from one owner to the next, we're never sure who Joey will meet next and if he'll ever manage to find his way back to Albert.
The Picture
Watching War Horse, it's sometimes hard to believe this is a new film. Although the film's superbly-orchestrated action set pieces remind us that this is in fact a modern day, big budget film, Spielberg's use of (what has to be) sound stages at Albert's quaint hillside farmhouse, bathed in (what must be) pools of warm, artificial lighting, War Horse could easily be mistaken for a product of the 1950's. These brilliant sunrises and sunsets, as well as the picturesque exteriors we explore in between, are beautifully rendered in this exceptional high definition transfer. Black levels and shadow detail also shine, with Joey's "barbed wire run" and the ensuing nighttime sequence providing ample evidence of this transfer's ability to persevere during dark times.
The Sound
If you're watching a sprawling Spielberg epic, odds are good you're also listening to a masterful score from the best in the business, John Williams. Williams' work on War Horse is majestic and moving and appropriately rousing, though it doesn't rank among his best when it comes to memorability. Still, it's fine work and it's made all the more so thanks to this disc's lossless 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. This DTS track offers up clear dialogue, surprising nuance in the surround channels, and plenty of low-end grunt during scenes of war - including one utterly deflating assault on an enemy campground.
The Extras
If there's one area where this War Horse Blu-ray stumbles - at least at first glance - it's in the special features department. In truth though, the focus here is simply on quality over quantity and that's fine with this reviewer. Disc One (the movie disc) gives us two featurettes: one, a useless quickie about the background extras in the film and two, a high def roundtable discussion between Spielberg and select members of the cast and crew. A few interesting remarks are made, but it's primarily a warm and fuzzy back-patting session. For the good stuff, you'll have to move to Disc Two.
Much more interesting is "A Filmmaking Journey" on Disc Two. This hour-long look at the making of War Horse is quite entertaining and covers many facets of the film's production. Here we'll see how that quaint stone farmhouse is indeed a Hollywood construction, and hear from Spielberg how and why he chose some of the film's principal cast members. From location scouting and stunt work to horse make-up and actor interviews, this is definitely worth a watch for fans of the film.
Three other shorter featurettes round out the offerings on Disc Two, and "The Sounds of War Horse" is definitely worth your time if you're a fan of sound design. Gary Rydstrom provides a brief interview and the nuggets he shares are simultaneously fascinating and depressing. You mean NONE of Joey's horse noises were recorded on-set? Really? Sometimes you shouldn't peer behind the curtain of movie magic. The good news: it's (apparently) a lot easier to convincingly dub a horse than it is a person.
Final Thoughts
You don't have to be a horse lover to find value in War Horse. This simple and affecting film is filled with beautiful photography, a moving score from John Williams, and a universal story of hope and determination. Add to that this Blu-ray's top shelf technical presentation and a comprehensive making-of documentary, and this Horse is one to bet on.
Product Details
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