Well, not really but I have fallen head over heels for a horse called Joey. Oh and I did brush shoulders with Steven Spielberg on the red carpet.

Joey is the equine star of the latest film from Dreamworks pictures War Horse. Based on the novel written by Michael Morpurgo, of which my children are huge fans, we see the tale of a boy and his horse torn apart because of war and remember the forgotten heroes of World War 1. Did you know that 1 million horses went into battle with the British forces in WW1 and only 62,000 returned?

I was extremely lucky to get an invitation to the Royal Premiere of War Horse in aid of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry, and attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It was indeed a star studded event. Directed by Steven Spielberg, screen play by Lee Hall and Richard Curtis the cast list for the film is amazing. Including Emily Watson, Peter Mullan, David Thewlis, David Kross ( The Reader), Niels Arestrup, Tom Hiddleston, Patrick Kennedy and Benedict Cumberbatch (note he got a huge round of applause- man of the moment I think aka Sherlock Holmes) but there are a few newcomers to watch out for notably Jeremy Irvine, who plays Albert and Celine Buckens, who plays Emelie. Albert trains Joey as a young horse but is left devastated when his father sells his beloved Joey to the army and 15 year old British actress Celine Buckens plays a convincing young French girl who falls in love with Joey when she finds him abandoned on her grandfather’s land in France.

The story depicts a strong determined horse, Joey, on his epic and remarkable journey on the battlefields of WW1 working for both the British and German forces. I don’t want to spoil the story but the emotions evoked in me were of courage, strength, despair, sadness for the innocent young men from both sides put on the front line, horror and joy.
The battle scenes while not the most violent ever seen are still toe curling and sad to watch, showing the stark reality of this brutal war. I could actually feel people around me flinching. This is a story from both sides of the battle and at times I felt very moved for the lives lost.
The story is very clever, dividing up four years of Joey’s life as his owners change through circumstances of the war.
Yes the film is a little cheesy at times, but then this is Hollywood. It is still quintessentially a British tale which has been given some Hollywood glitz but that doesn’t detract from the bigger picture of growing up, courage and determination. The Dartmoor hills provided a stunning backdrop.
A thought provoking film, I now have a new found respect for horses and a need to find out more.

Aptly Ancestry.co.uk have partnered with War Horse and invite you to ” delve into the true stories in your family’s past and see which of your ancestors stepped up to reveal their bravery”

I had fantastic photo opportunities standing directly on the red carpet right where the stars were getting out of their cars, sadly I got a bit flustered and didn’t take the best photos. The stars of the film made two appearances on the carpet taking time to sign autographs and have photos taken with fans. After passing several celebrities we found our front row, yes front row seats where we could very nearly touch the stars of the film as they took to the stage before the film started. Taking time to talk to members of the Forces and the cast of War Horse on their way in, the whole cinema was silent as The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took their seats. Making an elegant entrance despite the rain Kate looked stunning in a full length black lace Alice Temperley dress. I couldn’t help but wonder if they tucked into their complimentary popcorn though.

Thank you so much to Grace from Disney for this amazing experience, to the Radisson Edwardian hotel for their hospitality before the film and to my film buddies Maggy, Gigi, Janis and Annabel. It certainly was a night to remember.
War Horse is in UK cinemas on 13th January