During the filming of “Horse Soldiers”, a war film based on a true story, Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Peña and their partners spent long hours on horseback. An experience certainly “fun” but far from being easy for the actors, who were treated to a few scares.
horse soldiers : Chris Hemsworth goes on a secret mission
Based on the eponymous bestseller by Doug Hanson, horse soldiers relates a mission organized by the CIA and the American Special Forces after September 11, 2001. Following the attacks, a team is formed and sent to Afghanistan. Led by Captain Mitch Nelson (Chris Hemsworth), the soldiers aim to support a local warlord in his fight against the Taliban.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer makes another foray into war film with horse soldiersafter Pearl Harbor and The fall of the Black Falcon. He calls on director Nicolai Fulgsig, who signs his first feature film here, and once again brings together a solid cast. Rounding out the cast are Michael Shannon, Michael Peña, Trevante Rhodes, William Fichtner, Rob Riggle and Elsa Pataky.
Filming has not always been easy for the actors. They must not only be trained in the handling of weapons but also learning to ride mostly. During their mission in Afghanistan, the soldiers on whom the characters are based had no choice but to circulate in this way through the steep mountains. In the press kit of the film quoted by Allocinated, Chris Hemsworth says about this preparation:
We all felt comfortable with our weapons and on the ground, but then we had to get on horseback… That was a whole other ballgame! But it was perfect because that’s exactly the situation the Special Forces guys went through. None of us really knew what to expect.
“A few misadventures” with horses
Asked by IGNthe star of Thor claims she has never had such intense training for a film. The actor specifies that usually, the physical preparation is used for short scenes. Conversely, for horse soldiersthe actor and his partners have spent long hours on horseback. A “fun” experience, but marked by a few hiccups:
Once you’re in the action, there are bombs exploding, fire, smoke, and you’re on horseback, the variables are amplified. There are many things that can go wrong. We had a few mishaps, but nothing too serious. We’ve all had quite a few bumps and scrapes. But it adds such authenticity, that adrenaline that you feel and the horse reacts to. We couldn’t have faked it.
If Chris Hemsworth has already had the opportunity to gallop before the production of the feature film, some of his colleagues are real beginners. This is for example the case of Trevante Rhodes, who very quickly realizes that he would have done well not to lie to the producers about his experience in the rodeo, as reported USA Today. As for Michael Peña, he is undoubtedly “the worst horseman” According to Chris Hemsworth:
He was like, ‘Are you kidding me? I’m from Chicago. I don’t ride a horse.
Michael Peña also remembers a moment when his animal began to gallop without warning:
I was in survival mode, trying not to fall. My life flashed before my eyes.
Nevertheless, no major incident occurred. Chris Hemsworth assures that the amateurism of the actors served horse soldierssince the Green Berets they embody were themselves inexperienced:
We didn’t have to look like the best riders, but we had to be rough, dirty and unpredictable.
