Padme's Library: Friday's Film Adaption: War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

Friday, August 21, 2015

Friday's Film Adaption: War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

Summary:
A powerful tale of war, redemption, and a hero's journey.

In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?

Film:
When World War I breaks out, young Albert Narracott's beloved horse Joey is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. Joey serves in both the British and German armies before he winds up alone in the dangerous area between the two sides-"No Man's Land." Albert is too young to enlist, but goes to France to save Joey.

Release Date: December 25, 2011

Running Time: 146 minutes

Cast:

Jeremy Irvine as Albert Narracott

Emily Watson as Rose Narracott

Peter Mullan as Ted Narracott

Niels Arestrup as Grandfather

David Thewlis as Lyons

Tom Hiddleston as Captain James Nicholls

Benedict Cumberbatch as Major Jamie Stewart

Céline Buckens as Emilie

Toby Kebbell as Colin, the British soldier from South Shields

Hinnerk Schönemann as Peter, the German soldier from Düsseldorf

Patrick Kennedy as Lieutenant Charlie Waverly

Leonard Carow as Private Michael Schröder

David Kross as Private Gunther Schröder

Matt Milne as Andrew Easton

Robert Emms as David Lyons

Eddie Marsan as Sergeant Fry

Nicolas Bro as Private Friedrich Henglemann

Rainer Bock as Brandt

Geoff Bell as Sergeant Sam Perkins

Liam Cunningham as Army Doctor

Gerard McSorley as Market Auctioneer

Tony Pitts as Sergeant Martin

Pip Torrens as Major Tompkins

Philippe Nahon as French Auctioneer

Julian Wadham as British Captain in Trench

David Dencik as German Base Camp Officer

Edward Bennett as Cavalry Recruiting Officer

Johnny Harris as Infantry Recruiting Officer

Tam Dean Burn as British Medic in Trench

Maximilian Brückner as German Artillery Officer

Maggie Ollerenshaw as the Narracott's neighbour

Awards:

84th Academy Awards--February 26, 2012

Best Picture--Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy---Nominated

Best Art Direction--Rick Carter (production designer), Lee Sandales (set decorator)---Nominated

Best Cinematography--Janusz Kamiński---Nominated

Best Original Score--John Williams---Nominated

Best Sound Editing--Richard Hymns, Gary Rydstrom---Nominated

Best Sound Mixing--Gary Rydstrom, Andy Nelson, Tom Johnson, Stuart Wilson---Nominated

65th British Academy Film Awards--February 12, 2012

Best Film Music--John Williams---Nominated

Best Cinematography--Janusz Kamiński---Nominated

Best Production Design--Rick Carter, Production Designer, Lee Sandales, Set Decorator---Nominated

Best Sound--Stuart Wilson, Gary Rydstrom, Andy Nelson, Tom Johnson, Richard Hymns--- Nominated

Best Special Visual Effects--Ben Morris, Neil Corbould---Nominated

69th Golden Globe Awards--January 15, 2012

Best Motion Picture – Drama---Nominated

Best Original Score--John Williams---Nominated

Trailer

Clips

Author Bio:
Michael Morpurgo is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to Cumberland during the last years of the war, then returned to London, moving later to Essex. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army, he took up teaching and started to write. He left teaching after ten years in order to set up 'Farms for City Children' with his wife. They have three farms in Devon, Wales and Gloucestershire, open to inner city school children who come to stay and work with the animals. In 1999 this work was publicly recognized when he and his wife were awarded an MBE for services to youth. He is also a father and grandfather, so children have always played a large part in his life. Every year he and his family spend time in the Scilly Isles, the setting for three of his books.