The Horse Soldiers
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Movie Reviews of The Horse Soldiers
Movie Review: The Duke makes a film for the ladies....
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw THE HORSE SOLDIERS when it was released in theaters in the early 1960s. It's one of those rare films Wayne made where he actually got more emotional about the female lead than his horse. If you like John Wayne in a romantic role this is the film to see (or IN HARM'S WAY with Patricia Neal, or THE QUIET MAN or MCLINTOCK with Maureen O'Hara). Wayne is often labeled as an "action hero" and I suppose he was but he was also funny and a great romantic lead when Hollywood let him be one. Sadly, this film may be overlooked because some fans will think it does not have enough action. I believe the female lead is Constance Horner, and the chemistry between Horner and Wayne is fabulous. The addition of Holden made the triangle complete.
Wayne an officer in the Union Army during the Civil War. He has been assigned to take a calvery unit behind enemy lines to a strategic rail site he is to destroy. The destruction of the rail site will cut off supplies for the enemy and hopefully shorten the war. Wayne is the typical loyal soldier--his is not to question why, his is but to do or die.
Holden is a civilian doctor who has been drafted and he hates the war and everything it stands for. He thinks the carnage is unnecessary and that civilized men should be able to settle things in a more humane way. He is of the school "Rich man's war, poor man's fight." Holden dislikes Wayne and vice versa.
On the way South, the unit stops at a plantation house. Since they are behind enemy lines and traveling fast they are not accompanied by a supply wagon and they must live off the land. The plantation where they stop is occupied by a young woman and her slave Lukie. The plantation mistress (Horner) overhears a discussion amoung the men about their objective, and being discovered, she is forced to accompany the men South. She becomes Holden's helper in the medical sense, but tries at every opportunity to escape so that she can forewarn her breatheren. The tension between the three main actors is fabulous. Over the course of the film it becomes obvious that although they are diametrically opposed in their thinking, Horner and Wayne are falling in love. Of course the good doctor Holden can see what's happening when they can't.
I suppose one thing that makes your heart palpitate a bit, even if you're disabused of the notion that war has it's glorious moments is the beautiful sight of the Union Horse Soldiers. Mounted calvery are one of the most wonderful sights in the world, and when they sing "Round Her Hair She Wore A Yellow Ribbon" well, what can I say. I'm just a romantic at heart.
Movie Review: Possibly my favorite John Wayne flick
Summary: 5 Stars
John Wayne's a bit before my time so I was late getting on The Duke wagon. At first, I admit, that I didn't really like him (I lean more to the likes of Eastwood, Heston, Rambo and Thomas Jane) but I slowly came to appreciate his unique presence & vibe.
Of the approximately 25 Wayne films I've seen some of my favorites include: "The Cowboys" ('72), "El Dorado" ('66), "North to Alaska" ('60), "The Shootist" ('76), "The Conqueror" ('56) and "The Horse Soldiers" ('59). Okay, I'm just jokin' about "The Conqueror" (LOL) but John Ford's "The Horse Soldiers" is definitely one of my favorites.
THE STORY: Loosely based on Col. Grierson's 1863 Cavalry raid behind Confederate lines, The Duke leads a cavalry force deep into rebel territory to cut off supply lines to Vicksburg, Mississippi, which was being attacked by Gen. Grant. Along for the ride is a medical officer (William Holden) who is at odds with Wayne. As their journey progresses they are forced to acquire a troublesome Southern belle (Constance Towers).
Although the film has some expected dated aspects, like the dreadful opening song (almost on a par with "North to Alaska"), "The Horse Soldiers" holds up well, highlighted by authentic Southern locations -- filmed in Mississippi, Louisianna and Texas.
What works best is the story and characters. The conflict between Wayne and Holden adds tension and is entertaining, but you just know they'll likely come out of this venture highly respecting one another. Needless to say, Wayne and Holden have great chemistry. Some complain about the Southern belle but she's a good touch and, really, there are no romantic dallyings to speak of (until the very end, that is).
"The Horse Soldiers" is one of those film you enjoy seeing no matter how many times you've seen it. It plainly shows the horrors of war but, somehow, it ultimately manages to be enjoyable and even uplifting.
This ranks with the best Civil War pictures, along with "Gods & Generals" (2003), "Glory" (1989), "Ride with the Devil" (1999) and "Pharaoh's Army" (1995).
Movie Review: John Ford At His Best
Summary: 5 Stars
Director, John Ford, seemingly never made a bad movie and the list of his really good ones is long. "The Horse Soldiers" is one of his best. Ford portrayed the cavalry exceptionally well, capturing in near perfect detail the equipment, the formalities and drill, and all of the realities of this long defunct service. His "Cavalry Trilogy", set in the West during the Indian Wars will never, I suspect, be equalled. "The Horse Soldiers", based on a true Civil War event, is very close to the Trilogy in richness of story and characterization. It follows a raid by a large force of Union cavalry deep into the heart of the Confederacy. Wayne plays the role of Col. Marlowe, whose stern dedication to duty and the realities of operating behind enemy lines brings him into conflict with the regiment's idealistic surgeon, played by Willaim Holden. The only negative aspect of this film is the love interest, which was required in films of that time. Constance Towers is a "fifties girl" placed in the middle of a Civil War movie, and it is more than a minor distraction. Modern films like "We Were Soldiers" and "Black Hawk Down" don't have this element because girlfriends don't suddenly appear in the middle of a battle. Be that as it may, this is still a highly entertaining movie. If you like John Ford's work or would like to know why his films are still highly regarded, see this film. Similarly, if you are looking for a good story well told, you will not be disappointed.Movie Review: Ford and Wayne do it again
Summary: 5 Stars
To many who look at John Wayne as a one dimentional jingoistic actor this is likely the first film I would show them to change their mind. It is a fine war movie with some great battle scenes, yet it never fails to take away from the viewer the message that war is a terrible thing.This film adaption of the Grierson's raid during the Vicksburg campaign gives us a close up look at the pain that war causes. Historical license it taken often Grierson the music maker becomes Marloe the engineer. Several battles are added to spice up the script, and the inclusion of the use of the Cadets harkens to a fameous battle a year later in Va.
It also give us pleanty of good subplotting in the roles, both in the ranks particlarly Sergeant Major Kirby who is loads of fun, and among the officers. It also contains some classic lines between Holden as a doctor who is regular army but a doctor first and Wayne a commander who doesn't like war, doesn't like doctors but does what needs to be done. "...the coffee tastes better when the latrines are dug downstream. How do you like your coffee Col?" as usual the actors who I refer to as the "John Wayne Guild" do their usual good supporting jobs.
In closing it is the interaction between Wayne, Towers and Holden, combined with the painting of war as something to be avoided that makes this movie a five stars classis vs just another John Wayne movie.
Movie Review: Excellent Civil War Film from John Ford
Summary: 5 Stars
THE HORSE SOLDIERS is an unusual cavalry movie from director John Ford. Usually Ford gives us an image of the United States Cavalry in all its might and splendor defending the frontier against Indians against the backdrop of Monument Valley. In THE HORSE SOLDIERS the cavalry, again commanded by John Wayne is relegated to a mission during the Civil War deep behind Confederate lines. They are on a mission of mayhem and destruction, which is repugnant to Wayne. This is really contrary to earlier Ford films where the cavalry is a defender of society. William Holden, the doctor assigned to Wayne's staff is there to remind Wayne of just how futile War is and that his own talents as a doctor are being squandered in the conflict. This is actually a great film from Ford and it is a treat because Civil War films have always been too few and far apart. This is a film about duty, loyalties and misconceptions. The images in this film are indelible. The scene where the Confederate military school sends out its young boys to face Wayne's cavalry is unforgettable. The film also asks the viewer through its images some hard questions about the nobility of the Southern society vs. that of the rag tag looking Union cavalry. This is a much deeper film than it appears or has been given credit. As for the DVD, the print is sharp and very attractive looking.