Evolving from page to stage to screen, War Horse’s tale of a boy and a horse thrown into the horrors of World War I is already well known. And who better to take a sprawling epic to the big screen than Spielberg?

From a surprise cavalry attack to a blast of mustard gas to the terror of going over the top, Spielberg masterfully visualises some of Europe’s darkest days.

Unfortunately this potentially excellent war film is compromised by a nauseating excess of equine sentimentality and some very dubious German accents, leaving an enjoyable film that falls short of expectations.

6/10

BEN HOPKINS

WAR HORSE
DIRECTOR STEVEN SPIELBERG
RELEASED JANUARY 13th
CERT 12A
WALT DISNEY