War Horse author tells of film set coincidence

Best-selling War Horse author Michael Morpurgo took a role as an extra in Steven Spielberg’s movie version – and was amazed to find himself acting alongside the grandchild of one of the book’s inspirations.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Dec 2011, 09:00 BST

By an incredible fluke, the granddaughter of one of the First World War veterans to whom he dedicated his moving tale 30 years ago had also been given a minor role unknown to producers.

The new film – which stars Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson and Benedict Cumberbatch – is being tipped as a huge hit when it is released in the UK early next year.

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The story is set against the backdrop of the First World War and tells of the bravery, loyalty, and the extraordinary bond between a young recruit and his horse, Joey. It was inspired by talking to people in the Duke of York pub in the village of Iddesleigh, Devon.

They included Captain Arthur Budgett, who along with Wilfred Ellis and Albert Weeks received a dedication in the children’s novel.

Morpurgo revealed his extraordinary meeting with Vanessa Budgett, 17, when Spielberg invited him and his wife, Claire, to be extras during filming in Castle Combe, Wiltshire.

Morpurgo said the coincidence had been so incredible that he called over Spielberg to tell him the story and made his new friend’s day by letting her meet the Hollywood legend.