Martin Clunes: Heavy Horsepower

Martin Clunes: Heavy Horsepower is not so much a movie, as much as it is an engaging and informative documentary. It is a well-crafted masterpiece that captures the bond between Martin Clunes, a renowned British actor, and some of the most impressive and largest horses across the globe showcasing the strength and magnificence of these sublime creatures.

Martin Clunes, best known for his roles in a series of British comedies including Men Behaving Badly and Doc Martin, takes viewers on an enchanting journey across the world to showcase the incredible abilities and tasks of working horses. As an avid equestrian and lover of horses himself, Clunes shares his personal affection and understanding of these majestic creatures that lend a sense of authenticity and warmth throughout its entirety.

The documentary specifically focuses on heavy horses, enormous beasts of burden, which were historically employed for tasks that demanded significant strength including pulling wagons, hauling logs, or plowing fields. Patronized for their immense strength, these magnificent equines have played a pivotal role in the development and progression of human societies across the globe.

In Martin Clunes: Heavy Horsepower, Clunes seeks to highlight the declining use of these heavy horses in modern times as a result of mechanization and technological advancements, an issue that perturbs him deeply. However, he unfurls an optimistic narrative by showcasing that even today, heavy horses have managed to endure in certain pockets of the world where they continue to serve a purpose even in the contemporary world.

Throughout the documentary, Clunes embarks on fascinating ventures to various locations including Belgium, America, and even remote areas of his own backyard in the British countryside. He meets with people from vastly different landscapes and cultures who still rely on these majestic beasts for their livelihood. From assisting in the logging industry in Washington State, to pulling huge weights at Minnesota horse shows, to working in European vineyards, the heavy horses showcase their deep-rooted importance and versatility.

One of the outstanding aspects of Martin Clunes: Heavy Horsepower is the sentimentality with which it has been crafted. No stranger to these spectacular beasts, Clunes’s love and affection for the horses are palpable. His interaction with these horses presents an extraordinarily sincere portrayal of the man-animal bond. Through his familiar, gentle handling, Clunes communicates effectively with the horses, confirming their shared understanding and mutual respect.

The documentary is as mesmerizing visually as it is informatively. It showcases the natural beauty, grace, and distinctive characteristics of these heavy horses in all their splendor. From the powerful Clydesdales to the attractive Shires, and the distinctive Percherons, the myriad variety of breeds are enriched by individual histories and contributions to society.

Martin Clunes: Heavy Horsepower does more than just illuminating the invaluable contribution of heavy horses to human civilization. It is both a celebration of the beauty and power of these animals, and Clunes’ passionate plea for preservation and avoidance of relegating them to mere relics of the past.

Clunes intersperses the narrative with light-hearted humor and personal anecdotes, making it more relatable and engaging. Despite its potentially somber theme, he manages to instill hope through the emerging resurgence of interest in heavy horses. Some of the horses even starred in prominent Hollywood movies, he points out, indicating an increasing, broader appreciation.

The production values are top-notch and Clunes’ warm, inviting narration, with the picturesque backgrounds captured beautifully add to the viewing pleasure. Martin Clunes: Heavy Horsepower is passionate, moving, and vividly entertaining– an documentary that is in equal parts educational and enjoyable, making it a must-watch.

Whether one is a horse lover or not, Martin Clunes: Heavy Horsepower offers a refreshing glimpse into a beautiful, nearly forgotten aspect of human life and highlights both their historical significance and modern-day relevance. Throughout this compelling narrative, viewers will be truly captivated by the resilience, versatility, and sheer power of heavy horses, and the undertold story of their enduring relationship with mankind.