Roles and actors: "War Horse" - a film by Steven Spielberg

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Steven Spielberg's films are always a holiday for any admirer of his work and cinema in general. Most of all, the director succeeded in dramas in which sincere life stories are told and eminent actors are filmed. "War Horse" was no exception, telling the world about the amazing and sometimes tragic fate of an extraordinary horse. The film was released in Russia in 2012, and it was immediately a box office success and excellent criticism.

Storyline

The plot is based on the book of the same name written by Michael Morpurgo, as well as a play based on it in 2007. The story takes place during the First World War in England. The main character, a boy named Albert Narracott, lives on a rented farm with his parents and has a passion for horses. One day, he and his father go to an auction, where, after tedious bargaining, the father buys a purebred mare foal for fabulous money. Because of this acquisition, the family is unable to pay the rent to the landlord Lyons. The only way to stayfarm - to plow a rocky field, almost impossible to cultivate, and sow it with turnips. Albert undertakes to train a horse that is not adapted for such hard work, as a result of which he becomes very attached to him. He calls him Joey and spends all his free time with his new friend. But merciless war and dire need separate the comrades, and both have to go through a lot of obstacles on the way before they meet again.

Stephen Spielberg

The director was one of the most iconic and respected directors of our time, Steven Spielberg. As in other works of the master, in the film "War Horse" the actors and the roles they play are of fundamental importance. Spielberg's films have become breakthroughs in the careers of many performers, including Tom Hanks, Liam Neeson and Harrison Ford. Morpurgo's novel, discovered by the director, instantly won his heart, and he immediately decided to make a film according to the script, which had been in the hands of ordinary enthusiasts for a long time. True, it was later remade by Richard Curtis.

A month after the announcement of the project, Spielberg also announced which actors would star in the film. "War Horse" received 5 Oscar nominations thanks to its amazing script, technical component and painstakingly drawn characters. But it's not so surprising when such a professional takes over.

Jeremy Irvine

All aspiring actors dream of starring in Spielberg. "War Horse"feature debut for British actor Jeremy Irvine. Until that moment, he starred in only one series called Life Bites. Participation in such a high-profile picture, and even with such a famous director, immediately shed light on the personality of a hitherto unknown guy. Immediately after the release of the film "War Horse", reviews of his excellent performance and all kinds of praise fell upon the young performer in a swift stream. As a result of this, Irwin even received the Palme d'Or as the best young actor from the Chopard company. After that, he managed to light up in the foreground in such tapes as "Great Expectations", "Retribution", "Game of Survival" and "Now is the Time". And in 2016, it is planned to release three films with his participation at once.

Before the war

The actors of the film "War Horse" can be conditionally divided into 2 parts. The first appear in the plot before the war, and the rest - already during the unfolding battles. The mother of the protagonist, Rose Narracott, was played by the well-known and respected British actress Emily Watson. Her filmography is a decent list of films, including such masterpieces as "Breaking the Waves", "Red Dragon", "The Book Thief" and "Miss Potter". Her on-screen husband was Peter Mullan, winner of the Palme d'Or for My Name Is Joe. He also starred in such wonderful films as Boy A and Tyrannosaurus Rex. And the popular English actor David Thewlis, known to the audience for his role as Professor Lupin in Harry Potter, played a harsh landlord.

During the war

In the film "War Horse" the roles of the war period went to no less famous and talented British actors. The image of Captain Nicholls was embodied on the screen by the magnificent Tom Hiddleston. World fame came to him a year before, after participating as the main antagonist of the film "Thor" Loki. The role of Major Jamie Stewart went to the equally popular Benedict Cumberbatch, who became famous thanks to the TV series Sherlock. During the war years, the brave horse ends up on the farm of the girl Emily and her grandfather, played by Selina Bakens and Niels Arestrup, respectively. The film also stars Toby Kebbell, Eddie Marsan, David Cross and Robert Emms. The fate of their heroes is directly or indirectly connected with the life of an unusual horse, who has seen many other characters in his travels.

In all aspects, Spielberg's picture is brought to perfection and deserves the highest praise, which resulted in countless nominations for prestigious awards. But we should also agree that if the roles had not involved actors so skillfully accustomed to the images, "War Horse" would hardly have become so sincere and memorable.