I’ve just watched the film Warhorse, directed by Steven Speilberg. It’s the story of a part thoroughbred  foal that is bought by a farmer who’s rivalry with his landlord causes him to buy the young horse for more than he can afford.

The farmers son trains the horse to pull a plough and work around the farm. But his father sells it to help save the farm.

The horse, Joey, is transported to France where it becomes part of the British Army and fights in the first world war. In the meantime the farmers son Albie joins up and goes to France to search for his friend. The story has a series of incidents where awful things happen to the boy and Joey. Will they find each other? I won’t say!

The story was originally on in the theatre, the horse and other animals were puppets, the main horse was supported and moved by two men and was made of a lattice work of plastic? strips that gave the impression of a horse.

It’s an excellent story and both theatre production and film brought tears to my eyes.