Spielberg To Ride The "War Horse"
Steven Spielberg has selected his next directing job: World War I epic "War Horse."
Disney and DreamWorks will release the film Aug. 10, 2011.
"War Horse" is based on Michael Morpurgo's novel of the same name, as well as a stage adaptation. Spielberg is producing with Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Revel Guest. Scribes Lee Hall and Richard Curtis are penning the adapted script.
Set against the sweeping backdrop of the Great War, storyline charts the extraordinary friendship between a boy and a horse who are separated but whose fates continue to intertwine over the course of WWI.
The Great War was a natural topic for Spielberg to take on. He's already explored World War II in a number of projects, including directing "Saving Private Ryan." He exec produced HBO's "Band of Brothers," and more recently, the pay cabler's "The Pacific."
Spielberg and DreamWorks co-chair-CEO Stacey Snider acquired the rights to Morpurgo's "War Horse" last fall.
At that time, Spielberg said he knew from the minute he read the book that he wanted DreamWorks to make the film. "Its heart and its message provide a story that can be felt in every country," he said.
"War Horse" was first published in 1982 when it was a runner-up for the prestigious Whitbread Award. Morpurgo is the best-selling author of more than 120 books for children including "Kensuke's Kingdom" and "Private Peaceful."
The hit stage adaptation of "War Horse," written by Nick Stafford and directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, was first produced at London's National Theater in 2007. It has since played successful repeat engagements in the West End.
DreamWorks also has optioned the rights to the stage play. Spielberg saw the play in London in March.
Here’s the official synopsis of the book:
“In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey’s courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer’s son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?”
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Source-Variety
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