Warhorse Movie Summary

                In the movie Warhorse, a half thoroughbred foal is born in the hills of England and is sold for 20 guineas to Ted Narracott after he outbid his landlord, Lyons. Despite not being a work horse, Albert Narracott, Ted Narracott’s son, manages to make him plow a rocky field, which would allow them to pay the rent. However, their crops fail to grow and Ted sells Joey, the throughbred horse, to Captain Nichols, despite Rosie, Ted’s wife, and Albert’s protests. Joey is taken to a military emplacement and is introduced to a horse named Topthorn, who he becomes close to. However, the cavalry regiment is disbanded after most of the soldiers had been killed, including Captain Nichols, during a suprise attack on a German camp. Both Joey and Topthorn survive the attack but they are both captured by German forces, and then made to pull ambulances under the supervision of brothers Michael and Gunther. Michael, who is 14 years old, is soon told he would be marching to the frontlines while Gunther will stay and tend to the horses. This does not bode well for Gunther and he kidnaps Michael while he is marching and both of them desert. They flee to a windmill where both of them try to get some sleep. They are soon captured and executed by German forces. Joey and Topthorn, both still in the windmill, are found by the owner’s daughter, a girl named Emilie. She shows them to her grandfather, who is only known as grand-pere throughout the movie, and she is allowed to keep them. Soon, German forces raid the farm and take all jams as well as the fruits, leaving Emilie and her grandfather broke. Despite a bone disease Emilie has where they break easily, her grandfather eventually lets her ride Joey. She somehow rides them straight into German forces, where they seize ownership of the horses. They are delegated to a german man named Heiglemann, who has genuine care for them. However, they are made to pull artillery, which nearly kills them, Topthorn being exhausted despite not pulling. The artillery is fired into the trenches where we see that Albert, his friend Andrew, and his acquaintance, David Lyons, are. They are soon sent over the top and into no-man’s-land, where they all survive the initial charge. Albert enters the trench, and sees that german forces have been killed because of the gas attacks. Andrew soon comes after, yet David was wounded so he is left outside. They survey the area but a gas attack soon takes place, killing Andrew. Heiglemann, during this time, is seen trying to pull Topthorn and Joey with German forces. However, Topthorn is too exhausted and lays down, shortly before dying. Heiglemann tells Joey to run while he is being taken away by German soldiers. Joey is chased by a tank he escapes by jumping over and runs into the german trenches, where he is soon  caught into the barbed wire and left in no-man’s-land. Eventually, both the British and German forces see the horse and a respresentative of both sides comes to help the horse. Colin, of the British, and Peter, of the Germans, both help the horse free from the wire and then toss a coin to see who will get the horse. Colin wins and is brough back to British territory. In this same area, we see Albert who has had his eyes damaged after a gas attack.  Joey is brought to a doctor in the area but the doctor says he can’t do anything for him. Joey is then almost executed but Albert starts calling him, with a whistle, for no apparent reason and the execution is cancelled after Albert proves Joey is his horse. Despite support for Albert, Joey is put on auction. Alberts friends gather money to buy Joey back but they’re outbid by a random rich person. However, grand-pere makes a comeback with a bid of 100 in currency. Joey then argues with grand-pere for his horse back, and eventually wins. The last scene is a sunset and Joey returning to his family and returning his father’s regimental pennant.

Overall, the themes in the movie relate to loyalty and friendship. War is a big factor but it is mainly used to show how important the themes of loyalty and friendship are. So, in the end it is about the friendship Joey and Albert share, as well as the loyalty all the characters showed to their loved ones.

Reflection

This unit LB, we mostly talked about either argumentative essays or debates. I learnt a lot about argumentative essays, I had adequate information beforehand, but now I know about different formats, the thesis statement and how it can be structured. I have also learnt that citation in my essays is very important. I have also learnt, in debates, to be expressive in what I say as well as making sure to keep track of what my opponents say.

Overall, I think I learnt a lot in these past several weeks. I feel much more capable in my ability to write argumentative essay, as well as debating, which I am quite proud of. However, I felt I was mostly relying on past knowledge mixed with a little new knowledge, instead of  being entranced by an influx of new knowledge. In the end, I’m still happy with what I've learnt and performed.