War Horse is a critically acclaimed 2011 film adaptation of the novel by Michael Morpurgo. The story tells the tale of a young man named Albert and his beloved horse, Joey, during World War I. The movie was praised for its realistic and emotional portrayal of the bond between the two and their journey during the war. While the movie was a huge success, one of the most interesting aspects of it was the use of multiple horses to portray Joey.
In this article, we will be discussing how many horses were used to play Joey in the movie War Horse. We will also be exploring the different techniques used to make the film possible and how the different horses were used to portray Joey’s movements. Finally, we will be looking at how the different horses were trained for their roles and the impact that these horses had on the movie’s overall success.
Background on War Horse
The movie War Horse was the first feature-length film adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s 1982 novel of the same name. The movie follows the story of a young man named Albert and his beloved horse, Joey, during World War I. The story follows their adventures during the war as they face various obstacles and Albert’s determination to find Joey.
The movie was directed by Steven Spielberg and starred Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson and Tom Hiddleston. It was released in the United States in December 2011 and became a box office success, grossing over $177 million worldwide. It was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Sound Editing, and won one award for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song.
How Many Horses Played Joey in War Horse?
To accurately portray the movements of Joey, the filmmakers used a total of 14 horses to play the lead role. Fourteen horses were used throughout the entire production of the movie, with each horse playing a different role. Four of the horses were used to portray Joey’s movements, while the other ten horses were used for specific scenes.
The Four Main Horses Used to Play Joey
The four main horses that were used to portray Joey’s movements throughout the movie were referred to as “The Joey Horses”. These four horses were a stallion named Jack, a gelding called Mosey, a mare named Rose and a gelding called Toby. The Joey Horses were chosen for their temperament and the way they moved, as well as for their size and appearance.
Jack was the main horse that was used for the majority of the scenes. He was chosen for his strong character and the way he was able to portray the emotions of the character. Mosey was used for some of the more difficult scenes, such as when Joey is galloping. Rose and Toby were used for some of the scenes that needed a more gentle and subtle performance.
How the Horses Were Trained for Their Roles
It was important for the horses to be able to accurately portray the movements of Joey in the movie. To do this, the horses underwent extensive training to prepare them for their roles. The horses were trained to perform a variety of actions, including galloping, rearing, trotting, and jumping.
The horses also had to be trained to respond to voice commands and visual cues. For this, the trainers used a combination of clicker training, which uses a clicker to reward the horses for performing the desired actions, and verbal commands. The horses were also trained to work with the actors and to pay attention to their cues.
The Use of Special Effects and Visual Effects
In addition to the horses, the filmmakers also used a combination of special and visual effects to create the realistic movements of Joey. Special effects were used to create the scenes that were too dangerous for the horses to perform, such as when Joey is galloping or rearing up.
Visual effects were used to create the more subtle movements of Joey, such as when he is trotting or jumping. These were created by combining the movements of the horses with computer-generated imagery. This allowed the filmmakers to create realistic movements that were both safe for the horses and visually appealing.
The Impact of the Horses on the Movie’s Success
The use of multiple horses to portray Joey in the movie War Horse was an important factor in the movie’s overall success. The horses were able to accurately portray the emotions and movements of the character, which made the movie more realistic and emotionally powerful.
Furthermore, the use of multiple horses also allowed the filmmakers to create more complex and visually appealing scenes. The combination of special effects and visual effects allowed the filmmakers to portray Joey in a way that was both safe for the horses and visually stunning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a total of 14 horses were used to portray Joey in the movie War Horse. Four of the horses were used to portray Joey’s movements, while the other ten horses were used for specific scenes. The horses underwent extensive training to prepare them for their roles and the filmmakers used a combination of special effects and visual effects to create realistic movements. Finally, the use of multiple horses to portray Joey was an important factor in the movie’s overall success.