Devils On Horses Dir: Edward Sampson (13th Floor/Doc Edge Film Review)
Why are there horses in front of the Bridgeway Cinema? The Doc Edge Festival opened last night with a neigh and a whinny at the world premiere of a New Zealand film called Devils On Horses.
Celebrating 20 years, the documentary film festival is going strong with last night kicking off the season with four screenings at The Bridgeway (the other Auckland venue is The Capitol).
Once we pet the horses, grab some popcorn and ice cream, the audience…including members of the cast and crew…find their seats in cinema three.
Festival director Dan Shanan speaks briefly and then the show begins.
Devils On Horses “explores the deep bond between soldiers and their horses during WW1”.
With no survivors to tell their stories first-hand, director Edward Sampson has woven together interviews with relatives, soldiers’ journals, still photos and grainy silent film along with reenactments to tell the stories of the men and their horses who travelled from New Zealand and Australia in 1915 to fight the Ottoman Turkish forces in the Sinai-Palestine desert. Yes, the Middle East was a mess 100 years ago.
But this is not a film based in political ideology, but one that focuses on the human (and animal) cost of war.
I’m sure everyone can sympathise with the soldier who is forced to shoot his horse, either because it has been wounded, or is no longer viable.
It is often difficult to watch, even if it is not graphic.
But the real story being told here is the futility of war and the effect it has on the soldiers who manage to survive, only to suffer “shell shock”. Many wound up either suffering for the rest of their lives or ending their lives.
Sadly, this is still very relevant today.
The hero of the film, if there is one, was on the stage with director Sampson after the credits rolled.
Producer Terry Kingi was very hands on with the making of the film…which was shot in Canterbury. And it is his own horses we see on the screen, all of whom he personally saved from the slaughterhouse.
As a film, Devils On Horses sometimes struggles to find its focus, but overall, it does what any good documentary should do…make the audience think, feel and learn.
Marty Duda
For more information about the festival and full programme, visit docedge.nz
2025 KEY FESTIVAL DATES & VENUES
Industry: 30 June – 3 July, Grand Millennium Auckland
Auckland: 25 June – 13 July, Bridgeway Cinema, The Capitol Cinema, SkyCity Theatre and Silo 6
Wellington: 16 – 27 July, The Roxy Cinema
Christchurch: 16 – 27 July, Lumiere Cinemas, Christchurch Art Gallery, Tūranga Central Library, and the University of Canterbury
Awards: 3 July, Grand Millennium Auckland
Nationwide: 28 July – 24 August, The Virtual Cinema
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