Watching War Horse Is for Me....

.....Like Beating an old horse half to death and then putting it out of its misery by a single click on my remote. But thanks to Netflix,  Trophy Wife and I watched the whole miserable production last night. It made us late for church. Actually so late we kissed church off this Sunday.

Part of my problem is that World War I has always been conflictual for me. My own father was a veteran in the Rainbow Division, which he has never let me forget. He was in the field artillery. A ceremonial sword of his still graces our fireplace. His colt .45 automatic is still in the most remote recesses of my garage. World War I is a real old story for me.

And last night, Spielberg's rendition of a 1980's children book proved too long and too bloody for us. (Much like the real WW I?) Watching the Oscar's this year, I couldn't understand how a flick that looked so enticing in the teasers didn't fare better in the winners' circle. Now I know.

I'm as pro-horse as they come. (Maybe because I love varsity-sized dogs.) So, on that account, I expected to warm up to this movie. I rented this movie expecting to see it with my horse-loving grandchildren. That would have been a mistake. War Horse is not a horse story, but a war story.

Which is all right of course. As a war story, I can credit Spielberg et. al. for a compelling look at multiple facets of WW I. For one thing, the cinematography was outstanding. Character development? not so much. Suspension of disbelief? The horse, Joey is sold to the British Army to carry its cavalry rendered obsolete by German Machine guns. Miraculously, Joey, survives a disastrous attack only to become a German POW. Whence he is drafted to haul German artillery into position. He eventually escapes and ...... Well, I don't want to spoil the rest of the story, do I? Unneccesarily?

Bottom line: I felt this film was too dismal and emotionally manipulative.