Galloping through WWI: War Horse Review Steven Spielberg’s War Horse is a breathtaking visual masterpiece full of driving storytelling, gorgeous cinematography and fine acting. Set during World War I against a panoramic canvas of agrarian Europe and England the story follows an extraordinary horse named Joey. He is a thoroughbred unfit for farm labour however, he is bought on a whim by an impoverished tenant farmer much to the dismay of his pragmatic wife. Through one of Spielberg’s many striking montages, their teenage son Albert teaches him to pull a plough—showing the first sparks of their unbreakable bond. After the breakout World War I, to Albert’s dismay, his father is made to sell the horse to a fervent young army captain. From there the story follows the unbelievable journey of Joey as he moves through the war, from British cavalry, German soldiers, and a French farmer with his granddaughter he alters and strikes the lives of all those that he meets. The story ends in a climactic finish where the now enlisted Albert is reunited with his beloved horse. By way of Joey’s eyes the hardships of war a marvellously depicted. The horse moves from person to person, civilian to army captain; the viewer can clearly see the toll the Great War took on the soldiers and innocent people. Throughout the film there is a sense of the worthlessness of war and how tragic it was. The battle scenes are heartfelt and one can feel the desperation to live and the exasperation
In today’s world, many students have had some sort of tragedy happen to them or their families. In his novel, “Indian Horse,” Richard Wagamese chronicles the story of one man’s journey through his troubled life. He uses descriptive language to present painful memories of loss and abuse. "Indian Horse" accurately illustrates the effects of irresponsible drinking, the abuse that took place in Residential Schools, and the inspiring way in which adversity can be overcome; for these reasons, among others, Canadian students should engage with this subject matter despite its use of explicit language.
Society often masks the true horrors of war in order to promote patriotism. In All Quiet on the Western Front, Remarque captures the reality of war through the horrific imagery, which he portrays through similes. The narrator, nineteen-year-old Paul Bäumer, and his comrades look over the trenches to witness horse suffering in no man’s land. Prior to ending the horse’s misery, the soldiers see the last one “[prop] itself on its forelegs and [drag] itself round in a circle like a merry-go-round” (Remarque 64). Remarque compares the dying horse to a merry-go-round to create situational irony through imagery. Associated with happiness and nostalgia, merry-go-rounds portray purity as they are ironically compared to a tortured
When German and English soldiers both want Joey, one suggests that King Solomon had an answer but it wasn't very practical in this case. Albert says he asked God to help him save the horse because, when it's all said and done, it's up to Him. At the end when they have the auction for Joey the old man says something like
The American Quarter Horse is one of the oldest recognized breeds of horses. By the late 17th century, these horses were being raced successfully over quarter mile courses that is why they are called the American Quarter Horse. The Quarter Horse was a breed for performance and had considered thoroughbred blood as well as traits of other lines. In the early 19th century the Quarter Horses were overshadowed by thoroughbred which ran better over longer distances. But, Quarter Horses soon found a new acceptances in the western and southern United States as a stock horse.
Tim O'Brien's book, "The Things They Conveyed," gives profitable understanding into the brains of officers, and edifies us to the enthusiastic and mental expenses of war. In particular, the stories of Mary Anne, the infant water wild ox and the section, "In the Field," assist us with relating to the transformation that fighters experience. While the conspicuous connection for O'Brien's novel is to talk about the physical protests every fighter conveyed were a great deal more critical, including such things as individual questions, reasons for alarm, and dreams.
The 60s, a time most people remember to be full of partying, overrun with tacky Afros, high Hippies, and cheap Lava Lamps. However, even in the happiest of times, no matter how peaceful the world seems, you can always count on a minority being mistreated, which during the 60s was happening right here in Canada, specifically in Residential Schools. These institutions were designed to assimilate native children into Canadian society, but in reality, they more often than not became host to the mutilation of the native people’s rights, all in the name of the gods that every man, women, and child of Canada worshiped. Richard Wagamese’s book Indian Horse focuses on this aspect of Canadian history. The story follows the life of Saul Allen, an Ojibwa
The defining characteristics of WW1 were its sickening violence and its immense death toll so, understandably, many pieces of war literature aim to present the horrors of war in order to unflinchingly reveal the true experiences of the soldiers. However, Journey’s End by R.C Sherriff and A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry also focus on the emotional aspect of war and the relationships it created and destroyed. The war forced people of every background to rely on and interact with each other while it also wrenched soldiers away from their families, introducing unique tensions between people that would not have existed otherwise. However, it is debatable which form, Sherriff’s play or Barry’s novel, is most effective in presenting these relationships.
The film, which is structured like a typical musical, contrasts the cheerful, popular songs of the era intended to be used as propaganda and to boost morale with the very real horrors of war. This juxtaposition carefully allows none of the heroism that was exhibited in World War I to be exposed. The film portrays the solicitation of soldiers by the Crown as entirely self-serving the generals know that the young men who take the King's Shilling are going to die, and do not care. The soldiers are literally seduced with promises of sexualized women, glory, and adulation, and then sent
For hundreds of years, the horse was an extremely important aspect in battle. Organized cavalries, soldiers who fought on horseback, allowed armies to travel faster and for longer distances. Of course, there were some major fallbacks to having horses on the battlefield. Keeping a whole army of horses was expensive, and as result many died of starvation. During World War I, times were beginning to change and the whole outlook on horses in battle was transformed. Their value was significantly less. However, horses still played a significant role in World War I: they served as a boost of morale, pulled heavy loads, and fought on the front line.
World War 1 has been a famous war throughout history. Many films have been made surrounding it, sometimes realistic and sometimes not so much. Paths of Glory and All Quiet on the Western Front were two such movies that depicted the Great War. Each movie is unique in their own sense and although no movie will completely convey the harsh reality of the war some movies are better than others. Depending on when and what year the war would have looked vastly different to different soldiers. Some would only know the reality of the trench while others would recognize “tanks” rolling over the ground which were impenetrable to normal gun fire. Which side of the war one was on would have also lead to different views, as in when one side is winning the other is losing, and when morale is up on one side normally morale is down on the other.
On Monday the 21st of September I went to see the play ‘War Horse’ at the New London Theatre. The play was directed by Marianne Elliot and Tom Morris and is written about the novel ‘War Horse’ by Michael Morpurgo. The play is about a horse, Joey. He is sold to the English cavalry and is shipped off to France were we serves in WW1. His owner, Albert desperate not to lose Joey, enlists in the army despite the fact that he is under aged. Albert embarks on a treacherous journey on a quest to find Joey. The play is based upon the horse’s perspectives and views. War Horse is trying to emphasis the strong brutality of war, and
Especially if that job involves herding cattle and other herd animals. They are also good at pulling heavy material, working for police force, racing, rodeo, and being therapy horses. The reason why the American Quarter Horse is great for herding animals is because they have a type of sense called “cow sense”. Cow sense is a reflection of what a horses natural talent is when it becomes when focusing on working cattle. Horses just seem to be able to predict what a group of cows is going to do before the rider knows. This makes the Quarter Horse popular on farms and ranches. Quarter Horses are also used in the police force because they are very good at keeping crowds contained or running down a suspect that is on foot. Most farmers and ranchers use heavy farm equipment for building/ hauling but in the earlier days people would use horses to pull big loads of wood or steel. They used horses because they were more than capable of pulling such weight. On the other hand, therapy horses are used for the exact opposite. Therapy Quarter Horses are used mostly to help people calm themselves when needed and believe me Quarter Horses are very good at relieving stress and helping you calm down. Therapy Quarter Horses make great companions and if you have ever owned a horse you know that it is very easily for you to get attached to the horse as well as the horse getting attached to
The wartime events are apparent in the way the men on horseback are dressed. They are all in the same clothing, which looks to be a gray uniform. They have swords and pistols on their hips. Their fists are raised in an enthusiastic camaraderie, and the shout that comes to mind is ‘Charge!’
My creative response is about the book War Horse by Michael Morpurgo. The first artwork is of Joey and Albert standing together. For this response, I explored chapters 1, 2, 3, 18, 19, 20 and 21. These chapters explore how Joey and Albert work together and then how they are reunited after being separated. The second response, depicts Albert and Joey again, in a yard with the horrors of war charging towards them.