Spielberg and the trouble with horses

Steven Spielberg has reportedly expressed frustration with the fact that the horses featured in his forthcoming movie of Michael Morpurgo's novel War Horse (like the one above) were not nearly as expressive as life-size puppet ones used in the original play.

Tom Morris, who co-directed the First World War-set stage hit with Marianne Elliott, told the Daily Telegraph today that Spielberg had made his comment about the animal actors during a recent lunch.

"We didn't have any input into the film, but we saw Mr Spielberg and he was a straightforward and very nice man," said Morris. "He was telling us that, when they were in the middle of filming, he was quite frustrated as the real horses weren't nearly as expressive as the puppets. They wouldn't do what you wanted them to do."

War Horse is still playing at the New London theatre in the West End after opening in 2007 at the National Theatre. A new production recently opened on Broadway. The film is due for release at C Christmas.