War Horse – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack cover

War Horse – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

John Williams · 2011

65 min · 16 tracks · contemporary classical music

A sweeping orchestral score that captures the emotional landscape of war and friendship through lush melodies.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • narrative-driven emotional crescendos
  • sweeping melodies for reflection
  • immersive storytelling through orchestration
  • wave-like pacing with dynamic shifts

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
  • dislike instrumental soundtracks

Where this album fits

Career context
When 'War Horse' was released in 2011, John Williams was already a celebrated composer with an extensive filmography, including iconic scores like 'Star Wars' and 'Jaws.' This soundtrack arrived shortly after his work on 'The Adventures of Tintin', showcasing his continued relevance in contemporary cinema while reinforcing his mastery of evocative orchestration.
Stylistic neighbors
Ennio Morricone· Howard Shore· James Horner

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Dartmoor, 1912 3:36
  • 2 The Auction 3:34
  • 3 Bringing Joey Home / Bonding 4:42
  • 4 Learning the Call 3:20
  • 5 Seeding / Horse vs. Car 3:33
  • 6 Plowing 5:10
  • 7 Ruined Crop / Going to War 3:29
  • 8 The Charge and Capture 3:21
  • 9 The Desertion 2:33
  • 10 Joey's New Friends 3:30
  • 11 Pulling the Cannon 4:12
  • 12 The Death of Topthorn 2:45
  • 13 No Man's Land 4:35
  • 14 The Reunion 3:55
  • 15 Remembering Emilie / Finale 5:07
  • 16 The Homecoming 8:06

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata