Le cheval venu de la mer

This film's title is forgettable, though the film is not. It also is a film that defies categories. (i. e., adventure, family, etc.)

The cast is marvelous, including the children, and not least of all the beautiful horse. It is this ensemble of actors that endows the film with a legendary quality that is hard to forget.

The modern, harsh, and unadorned setting makes the story all the more poignant because it is not a fairytale. We can relate to these characters because their problems are problems that confront all of us. It is a story about underdogs we can root for, and about how animals and children enrich our lives by reminding us to set aside our cynicism, have faith, and be true to ourselves.

This is a great, highly underrated film that I'd recommend to anyone, anytime. I loved it!

This small-scale film focuses on Gypsy folklore and myth, reincarnation, nature, and childhood.

Early in the film two Irish boys are given a horse by their grandad, which they decide to keep hidden in their tenement flat. Their father is severely depressed after the death of his wife, and lets the boys run riot. When the children (and horse) go on the run, he comes to terms with his travelling past with the Gypsies again and seeks solace in their help, wisdom, and faith.

'Into the West' is a truly remarkable film. The actors playing the children are remarkable (especially Ciaran Fitzgerald as Ossie), while the adult cast are headed by Gabriel Byrne (as the former traveller father) and his then-wife Ellen Barkin (as the mystical gypsy Kathleen). Both are excellent, while the mystical thread of the story - against the odds - remains believable and leaves an ending of optimism and goodwill.

Mike Newell, the director, and Jim Sheridan, the writer, deserve high praise for this movie. I also need to mention the Celtic music which pushes the story along and does much to set the atmosphere. Superb.

I always remember this movie for the shock of seeing a horse trying to live an apartment. Now, there's an unusual sight! I revisited this film last week and for a second and an overdo "ride" with these mystical Irish gypsies and their strange. By the way, I hadn't realized how nicely filmed this was until I saw it on 1.85:1 widescreen DVD.

Also to my surprise was that it wasn't the happy, family film I had remembered. There are many moments of frustration, sadness, violence, injustice, ete. It's hardly a bunch of fun times. The language is such, too, that I wouldn't recommend this for little kids, unless perhaps in Ireland where everyone seems to use Jesus' name in vain frequently, even kids.

It's still a story, basically, about two kids trying to capture and then keep a white horse, which is taken away from them. The cops (some crooked, as filmmakers love to show), the crooks and family are all out over the countryside looking for the boys and the horse.

In between, their father slowly comes to grips with the death of his wife some seven years earlier, a tragedy he has never been able to deal with correctly.

The best character and the most fun to watch is little "Ossie," played by Ciaran Fitzgerald. He's the one most-attached to the horse and the wee one has some of the best lines in the film.

Ignore that stupid video cover up above, it does not in any way do this film justice, and why they decided to sell it as a kids adventure, when it is much more, I will never know. The film is a simple tale, yet its the supernatural undertones, and reference to Irish myth which adds a whole different dimension to the film, raising it above most films of this sort. Its funny and poignant, and by the time the climax is reached, you have been sucked in and are willing the lads along, to its fantastically touching, thought provoking ending. The acting is superb, music perfectly apt, visuals hauntingly bleak. Its a contemporary fairy tale, strangely reminiscent of Edward Scissorhands, due to the pure simplicity of its plot. Watch this film, and get carried along on the journey, of course, ignoring that stupid poster.

A very entertaining and interesting film on several levels.

Educational: about the life of the Tinkers or Travelers and the prejudice against them.

Entertaining: the little boys are lovable and delightful.

Mythical: where did the wonderful white horse come from and go?

Beautiful: country and seaside scenery and photography contrasted with crowded city scenes.

Romantic: he lost a wife he loved and left the wandering life, but returns to it when a lovely woman appears.

This film has everything! One of my All-Time Favorite movies!