The highly-praised film War Horse, originally released in 2011, is scheduled for a television broadcast this weekend.
BBC One will air the war drama on Sunday 10 October at 2:35pm, making it an ideal choice for a relaxing Sunday spent indoors with the telly.
The movie was directed and produced by the renowned Steven Spielberg, who has an impressive portfolio of blockbuster films such as Jaws, Jurassic Park, E. T. and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom under his belt.
War Horse is an adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s 1982 novel of the same name and its 2007 stage version, reports Wales Online. Set against the backdrop of World War 1, the story revolves around Joey, a bay Irish Hunter horse raised by a British teenager named Albert.
After being purchased by the British Army, Joey embarks on a journey across Europe during the war, meeting various individuals and experiencing the horrors of the conflict.
The film boasts a star-studded cast including Peter Mullan, Emily Watson, Niels Arestrup, Jeremy Irvine, David Thewlis, Tom Hiddleston and Benedict Cumberbatch. It was produced by DreamWorks Pictures, Reliance Entertainment, Amblin Entertainment and The Kennedy/Marshall Company.
Upon its release, War Horse was a box office hit, raking in $177 million against a budget of $70 million. It also received critical acclaim and positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.
The film received widespread critical acclaim, earning a spot on the American Film Institute’s and the National Board of Review’s lists of the top ten films of 2011. It garnered six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, as well as two Golden Globe and five BAFTA nominations.
On Rotten Tomatoes, one critic praised the film, saying: “War Horse is a moving tribute not just to the unsung heroes of the First World War – horses – but also the men who bravely fought alongside them.” Another critic noted: “One of Spielberg’s most inspiring, enjoyable efforts of the last twenty years.”
A third critic commented: “Leave it to the great Steven Spielberg to be able to inject a great deal of heart into a story about a boy and his horse.”
War Horse will air on Sunday at 2:35pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.