After seeing a moving performance of the original War Horse (see my review) at Lincoln Center last month, I was curious to see how Steven Spielberg's feature film stacked up. Now that I have viewed both, I think I can safely say that, despite their differences, both are fine pieces of work in their own rights.
In terms of plot line, both the play and the film are essentially the same. Various elements were altered, added or omitted (ect..., ect...) throughout the film, but most of these were relatively minor, and didn't take away from the main message of the story. On the plus side, several distinctive scenes from the play (plowing the field, English and Germans working together to release the star- that would be the horse, Joey- from a trap of barbed wire, and the first appearance of a tank the the battlefield) were beautifully preserved in the film, retaining the spirit and passion seen in the live performance.
In one respect, the film actually out-performed the play. Throughout the story, the horse Joey passed through the care of many different people, French and Germans as well as English. Despite the searing conflict of WWI that served as a backdrop for the story, and no doubt the bitter feelings between these nations, Joey had the ability to bring out the finest qualities in whoever he met (the barbed wire scene referenced above is a perfect example). This theme was visible in the play as well, but Spielberg's abilities brought it further to the main, strengthening the all-powerful theme of hope present in both play and film.
Overall, I would say that Spielberg has done an excellent job preserving the vision, scope and, above all, the spirit of the original War Horse. For anyone unable to see the live performance, his film would be a fine substitute. Go and enjoy.
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