The Hollywood Reporter: "It’s easy to see what attracted Steven Spielberg to British children’s author Michael Morpugo’s novel War Horse. But it’s hard to imagine how the screen version, due in December, can improve upon the thrilling experience of this stage adaptation, which is as emotionally stirring, visually arresting and compellingly told as anything on the filmmaker’s resumé.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
War Horse: Theater Review
The Hollywood Reporter: "It’s easy to see what attracted Steven Spielberg to British children’s author Michael Morpugo’s novel War Horse. But it’s hard to imagine how the screen version, due in December, can improve upon the thrilling experience of this stage adaptation, which is as emotionally stirring, visually arresting and compellingly told as anything on the filmmaker’s resumé.
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4 comments:
It's interesting to note that many reviews have commented on whether Spielberg's film version will translate well on screen, given how most critics were impressed by the sheer theatricality of the production. The more I hear about this play, the more I get excited about it. Although it probably was a safe/predictable decision on LCT's part to bring this over from the National Theatre, it's nice that both companies are benefiting tremendously from War Horse during these tough times. And predictably, it already announced that it'll be an open-ended run (along with Los Angeles engagement already scheduled for next year) so hopefully I'll have the chance to see it.
This show seems incredible. I remember seeing a short documentary about the making of the puppets.The efforts taken to make this puppets life-like are extremely impressive. I do think that this theatrical element would be lost in the movie and may detract from its universality and tenderness. The realism brought to the events by film may take away from the sentimentality of the show and instead make it seem like more of a story about war and action. I think the make-believe elements of the show are what give it its ability to be more touching than horrifying. I also love the idea of the maps and drawings that are being used. This element would also be lost in film. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the film will be great; I just think that the story will have to be handled differently for film and that the theater provides a powerful setting for this story.
The thing that seems so great about this show is just what Hiro mentioned, the sheer theatricality. Even more than that, it's the extremely effective low-tech theatrically of it. Juxtaposing War Horse with the not-powerful-anymore house of Spiderman, War Horse is proving that low-tech can be massively successful. I'm glad to see that everyone is enjoying this show, and I hope to see it myself.
the visuals in this theatre epic are so strong that it is not of any surprise to me that a film director with a strong vision would eat this up. the closest i have seen to this on stage is the production of Equis on broadway two years ago and this i believe in many ways is even more fascinating to me (though the designs in Equis are perfect for their certain purpose)
the design for this production really is breathtaking and beautiful and i really hope it is a story that is strong enough to translate for literature(its original text) and translate well to both the film and stage and still give the story justice
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