From battlefield to big screen

Devils on Horses reveals the profound bond between soldiers and their horses during World War One. Filmed primarily in Canterbury, on New Zealand’s South Island, the documentary illustrates how these animals provided comfort, security, and emotional support amid the trauma of combat in the desert, using reenactments, archival footage, and interviews to tell its story. The film also sheds light on the mental health struggles soldiers face when returning home.

For producer Edward Sampson and his team, the process of creating the documentary has been lengthy but rewarding. During the film’s development stages in 2019, the team could not have foreseen the impact of the COVID pandemic, which delayed production. “Every film comes with unique challenges, and overcoming them is part of the journey,” reflects Sampson. Despite this setback, Sampson speaks fondly of the experience. “We’ve had the privilege of meeting incredible people who have wholeheartedly supported the project,” he shares.

Production was divided into three segments, allowing for horse training and seasonal restrictions. Each filming block spanned five to six days, enabling Sampson to refine the story in post production and adjust shooting needs accordingly. “Ensuring the horses remained calm during diverse settings required careful desensitization, which could take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes per setup.”

Working with horses presented a unique set of challenges. “Unlike actors, horses don’t take directions, so capturing those perfect moments often involved coaxing them to look at the camera,” explains Sampson. Filming on the beach added to the complexity, as the team contended with strong winds, water, and intense sunlight. “Overcoming technical issues, environmental factors, and the intricacies of working with animals is all part of the reality and excitement of filmmaking,” he added.

Sampson praises the Atomos Ninja monitor-recorder for its compact size and ability to record in ProRes RAW, which was invaluable for the workflow. “Its bright display was particularly useful during our shoot in direct sunlight,” Sampson notes. “We paired the Panasonic S1 camera with DZOFilm Catta Ace Zoom lenses, and thanks to the Ninja, we could capture high bit-rate ProRes RAW footage.”

“The Ninja’s bright display was particularly useful during our shoot in direct sunlight.”