Spielberg’s ‘War Horse’ delivers gripping World War I drama as well as a little American Humane Association history

The holiday season always bring a variety of high-octane movie releases, but the one we’re anticipating this year isn’t about space aliens or vampires.

We’re counting the days until the Christmas Day release of War Horse, a Steven Spielberg-directed film about a young man, a horse and the war that pulled them apart. The gripping World War I movie is based on the 1982 young adult novel by Michael Morpugo.

In addition to looking forward to its wonderful animal story, we’re also excited about the historical connection the movie represents. You see, American Humane Association began doing animal relief in August of 1916, after it accepted an invitation by the War Department to help animals used by the U.S. Army during World War I. The invitation resulted in the development of the American Red Star Animal Relief Program known today as Red Star Animal Emergency Services.

So put War Horse on your “must” holiday viewing calendar and, until then, check out these great stories about the movie (of course, it earned our “No Animals Were Harmed” credit) from Hollywood Reporter and USA Today.