October 22, 2011–Breyer Animal Creations? is proud to announce an affiliation with Michael Morpurgo to make the portrait model of ?Joey,? the lead horse character in his popular book, War Horse. War Horse, published in 1982, is a story that begins in England during World War I. Joey, a brave and beautiful horse, owned by a poor village farmer and much loved by his son Albert, is sold to the cavalry to support the war effort. Heartbroken, Albert goes in search of his beloved horse. The story of their journey is seen mostly through Joey?s eyes. Joey and Albert are reunited, but not before they experience both the horror of war and heartwarming acts of kindness from the people they meet along their way home.
War Horse was a runner-up for Britain?s famed Whitbread Prize and went on to enjoy much success in children?s publishing. Then, in October 2007, it became a smashing theatrical success when it opened on stage at London?s National Theatre, the result of a brilliant collaboration by the Handspring Puppet Company and directors Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris. After a two year run, it moved to the West End in 2009, and then opened in New York in April, 2011 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.
The acclaimed production and heart wrenching story behind it attracted the attention of director Steven Spielberg who recruited a mostly British cast and crew to bring the story to the screen. His live action film War Horse, filmed entirely in England, is slated to open December 2011.
?I was deeply moved when I read War Horse,? said Stephanie Macejko, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development at Breyer Animal Creations?. ?I knew that I wanted Breyer to be the company to create the portrait model of Joey. We are thrilled to be able to create Michael Morpurgo?s Joey in a figurative form that can be treasured by children who loved the story of Albert and Joey as much as I did.?
Details of the launch of Breyer?s ?Joey? model will be forthcoming. Breyer, founded in 1950, is a division of Reeves International. Breyer is renowned for its realistic and authentic model horses and accessories for play and display. Breyer is especially well-known for its ?portrait models,? models of real horse champions and legends. To learn more, visit www.reevesintl.com and www.breyerhorses.com.
