War Horse
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: December 25, 2011
6.8
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 400 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
268
Mixed:
78
Negative:
54
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
2
weisbergerJan 28, 2012
A really tedious, saccharine, obvious, bland, boring, grossly sentimental attempt at a throwback to the "good old days" of sweeping Hollywood emotional epics. Just terrible and I just don't get how some well respected critics gave this filmA really tedious, saccharine, obvious, bland, boring, grossly sentimental attempt at a throwback to the "good old days" of sweeping Hollywood emotional epics. Just terrible and I just don't get how some well respected critics gave this film glowing reviews. The prevailing emotion while watching alternated between "wow, this really stinks" and "please let it end"! If you want to see a "big" movie with broad emotion go see Hugo, which really is good.… Expand
4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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1
BattleCatMay 25, 2012
Boring, sugar coated rubbish. I was waiting for Skippy the Bush Kangaroo to tell Albie that Joey had been captured, but not to worry as Lassie had been sent on a suicide mission to rescue him. I thought they could have cast Inspector Rex asBoring, sugar coated rubbish. I was waiting for Skippy the Bush Kangaroo to tell Albie that Joey had been captured, but not to worry as Lassie had been sent on a suicide mission to rescue him. I thought they could have cast Inspector Rex as the evil German commandant. More of a G rated Walt Disney feel good film than anything else.… Expand
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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0
TindleBay14Jan 8, 2012
A trashy cliché. Donâ
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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3
gurra4Jan 11, 2012
A huge piece of cheesy cheese. Overly sentimental garbage. Tries playing on the heart strings of the audience but it just made me wonder when this pile of nothing would end. It's wall to wall piling up of stereotypical characters in the humanA huge piece of cheesy cheese. Overly sentimental garbage. Tries playing on the heart strings of the audience but it just made me wonder when this pile of nothing would end. It's wall to wall piling up of stereotypical characters in the human rolls and a wonder horse with super intelligence, insightful and a pedagogy ability to teach other horses. If only they had let this same horse both write the manuscript and direct this movie it might have turned out to be something actually worth watching...… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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0
PrimordialFeb 12, 2012
the performance of "the boy" was.. well, i laughed at the theater couple of times.. beside that, very bad and boring movie, period.
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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3
Apemonkey666Aug 18, 2012
The best way to disribe this film is sunday afternoon family entertainment. A bit like old yeller and lasie but then with a horse. It's all very clean and uplifting (read sickening) as you would expect from a movie distributed by Walt Disney.The best way to disribe this film is sunday afternoon family entertainment. A bit like old yeller and lasie but then with a horse. It's all very clean and uplifting (read sickening) as you would expect from a movie distributed by Walt Disney. For me this doesn't have to win any of it's 4 Oscar nominations as there are many better movies out there!… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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3
duromiJan 26, 2013
Spielberg's sappy and way over the top production created in a movie which was barely watchable. Knowing the story , I was ready for some sap and suspension of reality, but his approach almost turned it into a farce. What a disappointment!
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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3
EisensapperJan 8, 2012
Yet another movie that uses the backdrop of war to bring guy to what otherwise would be a boring and predictable chick flick. The directing seems fair, as well as most of the acting, but the story and editing seems to really make the movieYet another movie that uses the backdrop of war to bring guy to what otherwise would be a boring and predictable chick flick. The directing seems fair, as well as most of the acting, but the story and editing seems to really make the movie fall apart at the seams. The movie blazes through WWI where years seem to pass by over night, with no exposition. There are no battle scenes at all in the movie, something that I would not think possible in a movie called War Horse. Instead we are given scenes with soldiers either running from a battle or hiding while being attacked. There are some exceptions where there is some offensive fighting on the part of the protagonists but they could be condensed into a 30 second clip.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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2
KasatovJan 9, 2012
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. While the cinematography might be excellent, the story telling is downright awful. I can't believe that people have rated this movie so high. Lets take a look at a few of the absurdities:

The horse is bought by a farmer who "knowingly" will not be able to pay the rent on his farm because of it.Then when the horse will not take the yoke he is about to shoot it... rather than sell it and pay his rent!

The horse is trained by his son who insists on plowing uphill through rocks rather than removing them. Then the neighbours come over to "watch" rather than helping remove them! Then the horse pulls right through a bolder, strong horse strong plough?

Off to war where the cavalry do a surprise charge through a German camp, only to end up facing German machine gun fire set up on the edge of the forest pointing into their own camp?

Off to the little girl's farm where they manage to hide two horses in the upper bedroom with soldiers ransacking the place, and they don't make a sound...

The old man gives her a saddle and she can instantly ride like a pro, but rides over a hill and across a river into the German army, which nobody heard coming!

All I can say is wow, this really is a classic, critic's choice, full of horse stuff.… Expand
5 of 6 users found this helpful51
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0
RJV_78Jan 16, 2012
One of the worst movies I have seen in a long time. I am embarrassed that I spent money to see it. It was so unspeakably bad. I am shocked that the man who directed Band of Brothers was able to churn out a war-related that was so foul that IOne of the worst movies I have seen in a long time. I am embarrassed that I spent money to see it. It was so unspeakably bad. I am shocked that the man who directed Band of Brothers was able to churn out a war-related that was so foul that I was holding back laughter throughout the movie. Just horrendous.… Expand
5 of 6 users found this helpful51
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3
Passenger56Jan 15, 2012
Simply awful film. Nothing more than a well polished (visually) made for TV movie. If the horses had spoken it would actually have been a better story!
4 of 5 users found this helpful41
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3
skykappahJan 22, 2012
CGI horses... That just about sums it up. It's very hard to have empathy for a CGI horse so I went through the movie not really caring much about anything especially when the writing and directing itself is aimed at jelly fish and notCGI horses... That just about sums it up. It's very hard to have empathy for a CGI horse so I went through the movie not really caring much about anything especially when the writing and directing itself is aimed at jelly fish and not humans. Besides that... I haven't read the book but why is the whole thing so ridiculous? It's fiction yes but at least have some integrity. This is not classic Spielberg, god knows what this is and the news of upcoming awards just prove that critics kow tow to Spielberg now due to the fact when he actually did good films, the awards treated him like crap. In the end this not most of us. It's for people who love 3D Studion max who hate actual live scenery and animals.

I will score it a point for amazing CG work though. If you didn't know what to watch out for, you'd think that they were real. The acting is above par and the score rather grand. So three points in total.… Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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0
horsecrazyDec 28, 2011
If you like Lifetime Movie Network movies, you will love War Horse. I hate them; they insult my intelligence. This movie was a huge disappointment, and I left the theatre before it was over. Very poor acting; plot was corny and trite.
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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0
VorlargenSep 6, 2012
I really hated this movie, mind numbing saccharin rubbish!! It encapsulates everything that is wrong with mainstream American cinema. It takes an adapted young adult book that enjoyed serious success as a stage adaptation in the UK, rapes itI really hated this movie, mind numbing saccharin rubbish!! It encapsulates everything that is wrong with mainstream American cinema. It takes an adapted young adult book that enjoyed serious success as a stage adaptation in the UK, rapes it and turns into a great chunk of sickly American cheese that will be lapped up by the typical cinema goer who has had their senses dulled by a lifetime of movie drivel. Sadly for them they will not recognise that the script is ridiculous and immature, the plot is seriously underdeveloped, the characters are one dimensional and improbable, many scenes are silly with no understanding of the WWI era or effort to even mask their unlikelihood (e.g the horse making no noise in the windmill while the Germans search not to mention the nice clean Brady Bunch farm) and the unmitigated offence of wasting top actors talents. All this is accentuated with John Williams contemporary score that blows any early 20th century credibility out of the water as well as the rehashed snippets of earlier work (Indiana Jones theme) that pop out if you listen carefully. I found the music as insulting as the rest of this woefully crappy offering and ended up becoming angry that my time was being wasted watching it. I stopped watching when it got to the auction and all the characters the horse had come across miraculously converged in the yard. Just stupid. Spielberg should be heartily ashamed of himself. I truly hated the hatchet job he did on the timeless classic War of the Worlds but at least I got to the end of that. I couldn't finish this. If you have any movie integrity do not see this horrendous offering.… Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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3
lbolenJan 22, 2012
Very slow starting, then picks up in the middle and towards the end. Movie has a clumsy pace. There are some great acting here and there, but overall for me it fell rather flat. Historically, the writers could have done much more research, asVery slow starting, then picks up in the middle and towards the end. Movie has a clumsy pace. There are some great acting here and there, but overall for me it fell rather flat. Historically, the writers could have done much more research, as I was watching for more of the allies, but apparently WWI only had germans and brits fighting eachother!… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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2
TedPancakesDec 28, 2011
Spielberg movies have to hook you from the start or you're going to feel like a sourpuss at the positivity party. I felt like the latter during this movie. At times, the sentimentality could be cringe-inducing and the dramatic developmentsSpielberg movies have to hook you from the start or you're going to feel like a sourpuss at the positivity party. I felt like the latter during this movie. At times, the sentimentality could be cringe-inducing and the dramatic developments were so infused with nostalgia that I started to get uncomfortable. All movies are manipulative in some way, but this one is so obviously intent on making you emotional that it's creepy. Plus, I'd just seen the documentary Buck, and it was hard not to think of the horses being directed to hit their marks while we're expected to view them as free-thinking characters.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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2
victormeldrewJan 17, 2012
This really is a bad film, Catherine Cookson meets Walt Disney with a bit of James Herriott and Heidi for good measure. The result, appallingly embarrassing sugary script which annoys from start to finish, combined with an over the topThis really is a bad film, Catherine Cookson meets Walt Disney with a bit of James Herriott and Heidi for good measure. The result, appallingly embarrassing sugary script which annoys from start to finish, combined with an over the top musical score and hideous pseudo German/French/Belgian accents. Just whereabouts on the Somme was this working windmill in beautiful pasture supposed to be? Spielberg should really have been made this film for children. Saving grace, some good cinematography, but little else. Must appeal to some though, given the blubbing in nearby seats.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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0
HDeezyFeb 8, 2012
This film is utterly unsatisfying.
Not even slightly entertaining, some of the performances were utterly laughable, and the script was horrifyingly bad.
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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2
coxmailDec 26, 2011
I do not recommend to go see this movie, I expected much more from a Spielberg direction. Bad plot, unexplained solutions... Where is Private Ryan?.... The scenery is indeed beautiful however it does not make up for the bad script and painfulI do not recommend to go see this movie, I expected much more from a Spielberg direction. Bad plot, unexplained solutions... Where is Private Ryan?.... The scenery is indeed beautiful however it does not make up for the bad script and painful shortcuts. No, No and No.… Expand
7 of 11 users found this helpful74
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2
gvk123Dec 25, 2011
Well, what do you know. Steven Spielberg's 'War Horse' is a stunningly bad movie, from beginning to the end. Is it beautifully made? Sure, it is Spielberg, after all. Does it matter? Not one single bit. Because from the amazingly bad plotWell, what do you know. Steven Spielberg's 'War Horse' is a stunningly bad movie, from beginning to the end. Is it beautifully made? Sure, it is Spielberg, after all. Does it matter? Not one single bit. Because from the amazingly bad plot concept to its ultimately pointless conclusion, this is Spielberg at his worst. It is one of the Worst movies of the year.… Expand
9 of 15 users found this helpful96
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3
movieboyJan 9, 2012
It's so laughably bad it's hard to imagine a leading director made it. The laudatory reviews are completely perplexing. As some one commented already it really is a bizarre combo of "Black Beauty" and " All Quiet on the Western Front." JustIt's so laughably bad it's hard to imagine a leading director made it. The laudatory reviews are completely perplexing. As some one commented already it really is a bizarre combo of "Black Beauty" and " All Quiet on the Western Front." Just read an interview where Spielberg said it's a family movie! Not sure what family enjoys machine gunning lines of soldiers, deadly gas attacks and impaling on barbed wire? No way should kids see this.
He has made some very interesting movies but subtlety is not in his play book. The plot machinations are laughable swinging from idyllic country to ravaged war zones, and almost every scene is way over the top in terms of emotional manipulation.… Expand
3 of 5 users found this helpful32
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0
shaymanJan 8, 2012
This has to be one of the worst films I have ever seen. Total lack of action from the first minute and even the horses acting was sloppy. I want my monet back NOW
3 of 5 users found this helpful32
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2
jbuddahDec 26, 2011
SPOILERS - This war film insults my intelligence. They attack the German camp - which has zero guards and protection. After storming through they are met in the woods with a batterie of German cannon that are inexplicably pointed directly atSPOILERS - This war film insults my intelligence. They attack the German camp - which has zero guards and protection. After storming through they are met in the woods with a batterie of German cannon that are inexplicably pointed directly at the German Camp. Were the Germans planning on firing upon themselves just before the English attacked? If they want to win the horse in the second auction, why do they wash and dress the horse to make it look attractive to buyers? Why not make the horse appear lame and get him cheap?… Expand
9 of 17 users found this helpful98
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3
RacogoDec 31, 2011
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This definitely is not a war-movie as some claim. Only interesting scene in the movie was the conversation in "No-man's Land" between the British and German soldier.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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0
Pants_FaceJan 22, 2012
oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar baitoscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait 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oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait oscar bait!… Expand
2 of 6 users found this helpful24
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0
MovieMan12Jun 28, 2013
This is a stunningly disaster of a movie. Complete rubbish. I don't recommend this to anybody that has taste in movies. Pointless stupid film. Speilberg needs to get back to what he does best.
2 of 7 users found this helpful25
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3
TokyochuchuApr 27, 2013
War Horse is a tepid Spielberg epic that is both boring and depressing. The history contained within this movie is skimmed so vapidly that it holds no insight whatsoever, and most of the characters don't hang around long enough to forge anWar Horse is a tepid Spielberg epic that is both boring and depressing. The history contained within this movie is skimmed so vapidly that it holds no insight whatsoever, and most of the characters don't hang around long enough to forge an attachment to. War Horse was a chore to sit through.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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2
ASanePersonSep 6, 2013
This movie was just plain horrible, there is no action, effects are horrible, plot is horrible, and voices are all horrible, and is undeniably the worst WWI movie I have ever seen, huge disappointment!
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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1
MovieGuysSep 15, 2013
This has to be the only Spielberg film I dislike. It drags and is boring. I saw the play War Horse on Broadway, and it was a million times better. So if you want to see this story in front of you, see the play.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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0
BroyaxNov 10, 2019
Ce n'est pas un film sur la Première Guerre Mondiale, c'est un film sur un putain de bourrin ! plus de deux heures vingt sur le bourrin qui de toute façon finira en lasagnes (meeerde,alerte spoileuur...) en compagnie ou plutôt en con--pagnieCe n'est pas un film sur la Première Guerre Mondiale, c'est un film sur un putain de bourrin ! plus de deux heures vingt sur le bourrin qui de toute façon finira en lasagnes (meeerde,alerte spoileuur...) en compagnie ou plutôt en con--pagnie du jeune baltringue qui le suit partout, le perd, le retrouve, le récupère...

Même qu'il s'emmêle les sabots dans les barbelés ce con de canasson mais ne vous en faites pas, il s'en sort sans une égratignure... sinon Spielberg aurait eu 30 millions d'amis sur le cul et une Brigitte Bardot en colère.

Dommage qu'il ne parle pas le cheval, car sur un malentendu, ça aurait pu marcher. Pour le reste, ce n'est de toute façon que du remplissage mièvre qui se fatigue à nous faire comprendre que le bourrin a gagné la guerre, parce que les casques à pointe n'avaient pas parié sur le bon cheval. En fait. Pauvre Spielberg, il a dû se cogner la tête très fort au fond de son cul pour nous pondre un truc pareil ! pauvre vieux...… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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