Morpurgo's book tells the epic tale of a friendship between a boy and a horse, who are separated, but whose fates continue to be intertwined over the course of World War I. The book was a runner-up for the Whitbread Award.

War Horse has been previously adapted by Nick Stafford, who wrote the stage version of the piece that has been a hit for the Royal National Theatre. This Olivier Award winning production continues to run at the West End's New London Theatre.