Nokota Horses... 
in the Movies!!

(by Holly Offermann)

August 7 & 8, 2004

The Movie...  H.G. Wells The WAR of the WORLDS from Pendragon Pictures and directed by Timothy Hines.  The first authentic movie adaptation of the 1898 H.G. Wells classic novel.  Nokota Horses and members of the Pacific Northwest Nokota Horse Association appear in their film debut of the H.G. Wells classic...The WAR of the WORLDS.  It  was  released on DVD June 14, 2005!  For more information on the moves please visit www.pendragonpictures.com.  

How...  On August 3rd, Dale was at a farm just down the road from us to evaluate a horse for training that is being boarded there.   He met the farm owner & naturally began talking to her about Nokota Horses, Chief especially, when she asked if we would be interested in participating in a movie that was being filmed there over the weekend.   Some of the horses and riders originally scheduled just cancelled.  Of course Dale said yes even though we had no idea what would be expected of us & all we were told is that the movie was science fiction.  It was short notice but we were able to get 7 of us & 6 horses. 

Who... 
    Dale Offermann
    Holly Offermann
    Brie Brodahl
    Dianna Miller
    Davida Miller
    Rick Fletcher
    Linden Crow

The Horses...
    Chief, Nokota Stallion
    Rebel, Nokota Gelding
    Rumba, Nokota Gelding
    Gypsy, Nokota Mare   
    Boozer, Arab/Quarter Horse
    April, Nokota Mare

What...   All of us were in several scenes consisting of slight wardrobe changes & actions.  Dale & Chief were in about 5 or 6 scenes!   We did everything from walking, trotting, cantering, galloping, & of course a few scenes where we reared on our horses.  It was all very exciting.  One of our favorite scenes was when we were all riding through a large green field (there were 7 horses and riders), when the Martians appear & we need to run for our lives.  We were suppose to panic and have our horses panic, then run away as fast as we could.   It went perfectly with 4 of the 7 horses rearing on command almost simultaneously (Chief, Rebel, Rumba, & April) & then all 7 of us galloping as fast as we could across the field.  The Director was absolutely thrilled and never thought he could get such a scene in one take!   After this performance the pressure was on for Dale & Chief.   One of the next scene's just features them & is a turning point in the movie.  The Director said it was very important for it to be perfect.  While the cameras were set up at the next location, Dale had a wardrobe change & Chief had a rest; then they were off to the country lane for their big scene.  The Director explained what he was looking for and called "Action!"   Dale & Chief nailed it in the first shot!   It was so perfect the Director said he is planning on using that scene in the movie trailer! 

Behind the Scenes Pictures...