London, Dec 22 (ANI): Steven Spielberg is all set to bring ‘War Horse’ on the big screen after he bought the rights to the children’s story that became a huge West End hit.

Theatre audiences have been mesmerised by the tale of a boy who braves the trenches of the First World War in the hope of finding his beloved horse.

Michael Morpurgo, who wrote ‘War Horse’ in 1982, welcomed news that the Hollywood director is developing his story into a film script.

“I can think of no one better to do this. It is so exciting. I only just learnt this in the last two days. After such a fantastic success with the play, it needs someone of his imagination and skill at turning books into great visual experiences for the film version,” Times Online quoted him as telling the London Evening Standard.

The film rights to the 1982 novel have been acquired by Spielberg’s DreamWorks Studios.

The director said that he had been deeply moved by the story of a young boy from Devon who follows the horse to the Western Front in 1914.

In fact, he revealed that he had known that he wanted to make the story into a film from the moment he read it.

“Its heart and its message provide a story that can be felt in every country,” he said.

DreamWorks Studios have confirmed that Lee Hall, the Newcastle-born scriptwriter nominated for an Oscar for Billy Elliot, has already been drafted in to write the screenplay.

It has not yet been confirmed if Spielberg would direct the film himself.

‘War Horse’ tells the story of Joey, first seen as a yearling colt, who is sold to the cavalry in the First World War. (ANI)