BURBANK, CALIF. (December 22, 2011)-DreamWorks
Pictures announced today that the premiere of its latest film "War
Horse," directed by Steven Spielberg, on Sunday, January 8, 2012, at the
Odeon Leicester Square, London, will benefit the Foundation of Prince
William and Prince Harry. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be in
attendance.
The
Duke and Duchess will greet members of the cast and Director Steven
Spielberg before watching the film. Six hundred serving and ex-serving
military personnel and their families have been invited to the Premiere,
alongside beneficiaries of military charities, which the Foundation of
Prince William and Prince Harry helps to support. The servicemen and
women have been invited from The Duke of Cambridge's regiments,
including RAF Search and Rescue, Household Cavalry, Irish Guards, Royal
Air Force Coningsby, Scotland Royal Naval Command and Submarines Royal
Naval Command.
"War Horse," which opens in theatres in the U.S. on December 25th,
is the epic tale of loyalty, hope and tenacity set against a sweeping
canvas of rural England and Europe during the First World War.
Based on the best-selling book by Michael Morpurgo and the Tony
Award®-winning stage play by Nick Stafford, "War Horse" is one of the
great stories of bravery and friendship, brought to the screen by one of
the greatest directors in film history.
The
story begins with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey
and a young man called Albert, who tames and trains him. When they are
forcefully parted, the film follows the extraordinary journey of the
horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of
all those he meets-British cavalry, German soldiers, and a French farmer
and his granddaughter-before the story reaches its emotional climax in
the heart of No Man's Land. The First World War is experienced through
the journey of this horse-an odyssey of joy and sorrow, passionate
friendship and high adventure.
Directed
by Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Pictures' "War Horse" stars Emily
Watson, David Thewlis, Peter Mullan, Niels Arestrup, Tom Hiddleston,
Jeremy Irvine, Benedict Cumberbatch and Toby Kebbell. It is produced by
Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, and executive producers are
Frank Marshall and Revel Guest. The screenplay was written by Lee Hall
and Richard Curtis and is based on the book by Michael Morpurgo and the
international hit stage play by Nick Stafford, originally produced by
the National Theatre of Great Britain and directed by Tom Morris and
Marianne Elliot.