minxy
Novice Poster
Posts: 37
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Post by minxy on Dec 9, 2012 2:14:41 GMT 1
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QujoEMaNc2UI am surprised at the "based on the books that I have written" comment. I thought War Horse, play and film, was based on the documented experiences of horses in WW1. I do not understand this quote. Can anyone enlighten me as to any link whatsoever to Monty Roberts and his books or "methods"?
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Post by Beth&Rosie on Dec 9, 2012 9:53:30 GMT 1
I'm not sure but both play and film are based on a book by Michael Morpurgo, written in 1982...
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Post by Beth&Rosie on Dec 9, 2012 10:19:03 GMT 1
So that's way before Monty was even known over here really, so there is no way that can be based on it. So that comment confuses me also...
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Post by SarahW on Dec 9, 2012 11:51:58 GMT 1
I'm sure the play was based on the War Horse book but the directors and actors spent a long time working with Monty and learning from Monty as to how horses move, breathe, react to energy - as explained in the clip. That's what brought the play to life.
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Post by SarahW on Dec 9, 2012 11:54:26 GMT 1
I was privileged to be in the audience for this one off experience at the theatre. The really amazing bit was that Pie had to go up to the stage via a LIFT!
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Post by Catrin on Dec 9, 2012 12:03:29 GMT 1
Monty books were not the inspiration for the storyline, but for the play's producers to find out more about the way the horses moves and how to reproduce it on stage. Monty's work was the inspiration for the stage performance.
Brilliant video, haven't seen it before. I love it where Joey tries to bite Pie's bum, and Pie responds as he would to another horse.
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Post by mandal on Dec 9, 2012 12:05:27 GMT 1
Yes it is very confusing. I am another sure the play isn't based on his books. My total guess is he means based on horse behaviour in his books.
Of course it's food for those that dislike him and everything about his methods. ;D
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Post by Bridget RA on Dec 9, 2012 19:48:03 GMT 1
I have been asked to pass on the following from Monty:
“Word has come through to me that there is verbiage on my website that is incorrect regarding involvement with the creation of War Horse. If anyone interprets my words to suggest that the play or the movie War Horse was based on my books this is absolutely incorrect. The War Horse story was set in the time of WW1. I wasn’t even born and my books were nearly a century from existing. What are actually the facts surrounding this situation is that the writers of War Horse needed education on how the puppets could move in such a way so as to express the true essence of Equus the language. They communicated with me asking for coaching sessions with the actors who operated from within the puppets.
Kelly Marks, American Pie (Kelly’s horse) and I traveled to the National Theatre with a number of Kelly’s team to assist us. We conducted several extended coaching sessions exploring the gestures of what I refer to as ‘Equus’ the language of the horse. In addition, one of the principal actors completed a course with Kelly and Ian at Hartsop Farm Whitney Oxfordshire. What these kids did was absolutely miraculous. Many people have told me that the essence of War Horse the story was brought to life by the actions of the puppets. As a conclusion, Kelly and team brought Pie back to the National Theatre where I did a live ‘platform performance’ with him on stage. A full house gave that event very high reviews.
These are the facts regarding involvement with War Horse where I was involved Kelly Marks was involved and the IH team was involved. If there was reason to interpret my original words in any way contrary to the above facts then I deeply apologize for them. I appreciate the efforts of the writers and decision makers of War Horse: they did a great job. I so appreciate the attendees to the international performances of the War Horse which celebrate the wonderful gifts that horses have brought to us humans for centuries. I further appreciate Kelly, Pie and team for their contributions. With these facts in mind however I must say that I most appreciate the actors who miraculously brought the puppets to life.”
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Post by rj on Dec 9, 2012 22:20:31 GMT 1
I sooo wish I had gone to that performance, Sarah W. We were all given the option, but I said 'no'. Why?!
I thought we all knew how Monty, Kelly & Pie had helped the puppeteers understand the language of Equus. Obviously not!
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minxy
Novice Poster
Posts: 37
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Post by minxy on Dec 10, 2012 18:48:25 GMT 1
I have been asked to pass on the following from Monty: “Word has come through to me that there is verbiage on my website that is incorrect regarding involvement with the creation of War Horse. If anyone interprets my words to suggest that the play or the movie War Horse was based on my books this is absolutely incorrect. The War Horse story was set in the time of WW1. I wasn’t even born and my books were nearly a century from existing. What are actually the facts surrounding this situation is that the writers of War Horse needed education on how the puppets could move in such a way so as to express the true essence of Equus the language. They communicated with me asking for coaching sessions with the actors who operated from within the puppets. Kelly Marks, American Pie (Kelly’s horse) and I traveled to the National Theatre with a number of Kelly’s team to assist us. We conducted several extended coaching sessions exploring the gestures of what I refer to as ‘Equus’ the language of the horse. In addition, one of the principal actors completed a course with Kelly and Ian at Hartsop Farm Whitney Oxfordshire. What these kids did was absolutely miraculous. Many people have told me that the essence of War Horse the story was brought to life by the actions of the puppets. As a conclusion, Kelly and team brought Pie back to the National Theatre where I did a live ‘platform performance’ with him on stage. A full house gave that event very high reviews. These are the facts regarding involvement with War Horse where I was involved Kelly Marks was involved and the IH team was involved. If there was reason to interpret my original words in any way contrary to the above facts then I deeply apologize for them. I appreciate the efforts of the writers and decision makers of War Horse: they did a great job. I so appreciate the attendees to the international performances of the War Horse which celebrate the wonderful gifts that horses have brought to us humans for centuries. I further appreciate Kelly, Pie and team for their contributions. With these facts in mind however I must say that I most appreciate the actors who miraculously brought the puppets to life.” "Verbiage"?! Offensive, and inaccurate. If he's on about this thread. Particularly when taking into account the length of this "statement"! Still doesn't make much sense. He says it, plain as day. I think perhaps what he meant was the stage play used what he'd written, to make the fake horse realistic. Still, if that is the case, it's one aspect of the stage production. "But it was in 2008 that they wrote this play, based on the books that I have written". His words are at very best misleading, and unclear. But clearly it's not ok to question! |
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Post by Bridget RA on Dec 10, 2012 19:13:34 GMT 1
Blimey - no-one is saying it's not okay to question, Monty is just trying to clear up the misunderstanding that has been caused. He says he 'deeply apologizes' - I would say that is pretty clear. Haven't we all at some point said something that comes out differently to how we meant it?
As for offensive and inaccurate... eh?! He is using the word verbiage to simply means 'wording' or 'words' and he is talking about his OWN words!!! He says "on MY website"... nothing to do with this Discussion Group whatsoever.
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Post by mandal on Dec 10, 2012 21:23:11 GMT 1
Of course it's food for those that dislike him and everything about his methods. ;D Ooops, not food, rocket fuel!  |
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Post by sarahbing on Dec 10, 2012 21:30:29 GMT 1
Great video - I knew Monty, Kelly and Pie had helped the puppeteers understand how the horse moves but didn't realise how much, or that one of them went on the 5 day course. It paid off - it really is an amazing play. You totally 'forget' they are puppets. Monty has cleared up any confusion his words may have caused and clarified his involvement, but I expect this thread will run anyway  |
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minxy
Novice Poster
Posts: 37
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Post by minxy on Dec 11, 2012 0:22:31 GMT 1
Blimey - no-one is saying it's not okay to question, Monty is just trying to clear up the misunderstanding that has been caused. He says he 'deeply apologizes' - I would say that is pretty clear. Haven't we all at some point said something that comes out differently to how we meant it? As for offensive and inaccurate... eh?! He is using the word verbiage to simply means 'wording' or 'words' and he is talking about his OWN words!!! He says "on MY website"... nothing to do with this Discussion Group whatsoever. Calm down, don't react like Monty  I assumed he meant this website. Interesting...so the lengthy statement above, was not issued as a result of this post? Maybe you (Bridget) can point us to the page he's talking about when he uses the word? |
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Post by Francis Burton on Dec 11, 2012 15:13:50 GMT 1
Monty's comment is also being 'discussed' elsewhere (in rather uncharitable terms, as you can imagine).
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I assumed he meant this website.