I have not yet read the book, but I just watched the movie! Based on other books by Morpurgo, I knew it was going to be sad, and, lo and behold, it was!
From the perspective of a beautiful horse named Joey, the story begins with Albert, a poor farmer's son who ends up with Joey because of his father's pride. Joey and Albert become best friends.
However, when the family falls on hard times, Albert's father sells Joey to the army to save their farm. Albert is heartbroken, but makes a promise that he'll find Joey... someday. Even if it means joining the war.
Joey continues his journey, working his way through the lives of military men, civilians, and underage soldiers.
Toward the end of his journey, Joey is released by a kind, German soldier in charge of the horses, and- frightened- charges through no-man's land. He get's tangled in the barbed wire, and in a touching scene, two soldiers from either side go out to save him.
My mom refused to see the film unless she knew it ended happily. Upon a little research, I discovered that our beloved protagonist (Joey)...
*SPOILER WARNING*
...survives.
As to his best friend, Albert... he keeps his promise and finds Joey, returning with him to their farm.
I LOVED this movie (and I plan to read the book), and must say that it was VERY sad, as most of the friends Joey makes along his journey die because of the war. However, it is a touching movie that relates to us that war effects all people- soldiers, civilians, and animals.
Michael Morpurgo's book Private Peaceful is also a WWI novel, and in my opinion, was a little more startling and sad because a MAIN character is- er- killed.
If you are not into sad books, Michael Morpurgo is. I suggest you look elsewhere if you are looking for happy stories (:
From the perspective of a beautiful horse named Joey, the story begins with Albert, a poor farmer's son who ends up with Joey because of his father's pride. Joey and Albert become best friends.
However, when the family falls on hard times, Albert's father sells Joey to the army to save their farm. Albert is heartbroken, but makes a promise that he'll find Joey... someday. Even if it means joining the war.
Joey continues his journey, working his way through the lives of military men, civilians, and underage soldiers.
Toward the end of his journey, Joey is released by a kind, German soldier in charge of the horses, and- frightened- charges through no-man's land. He get's tangled in the barbed wire, and in a touching scene, two soldiers from either side go out to save him.
My mom refused to see the film unless she knew it ended happily. Upon a little research, I discovered that our beloved protagonist (Joey)...
*SPOILER WARNING*
...survives.
As to his best friend, Albert... he keeps his promise and finds Joey, returning with him to their farm.
I LOVED this movie (and I plan to read the book), and must say that it was VERY sad, as most of the friends Joey makes along his journey die because of the war. However, it is a touching movie that relates to us that war effects all people- soldiers, civilians, and animals.
Michael Morpurgo's book Private Peaceful is also a WWI novel, and in my opinion, was a little more startling and sad because a MAIN character is- er- killed.
If you are not into sad books, Michael Morpurgo is. I suggest you look elsewhere if you are looking for happy stories (:
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