Movie Reviews for The Horse Soldiers

The Horse Soldiers

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Movie Reviews of The Horse Soldiers

Movie Review: Sense of Honor among men
Summary: 5 Stars

This is one of my favorite movies by John Ford. It shows a sense of honor among men and between North and South. The character of Constance Towers adds a surprising twist. Great humor also abounds.

Movie Review: Great old-fashioned actioner
Summary: 4 Stars

John Wayne on horseback. The Civil War. A daring raid. William Holden as a whiskey-swilling surgeon. What else do you need?

This story, based very loosely on a historical incident, follows The Duke as he leads his cavalry unit on a long raid through Confederate territory, causing as much mayhem as possible. And with John Wayne in the saddle, that's a lot.

I first saw this movie in the theater, when I was a kid. I loved its action and grand sweep. Many (too many) years later, watching it again on DVD I still enjoyed its action and sweep.

Some things you just never outgrow.

Movie Review: The Horse Soldiers 1959
Summary: 5 Stars

John Wayne (1907-1979) teams with William Holden (1918-1981) and eminent western director John Ford (1894-1973) for this frontier action : packed with laughter , romance and thrills . Writed by John Lee Mahin (1902-1984)and Martin Rackin (1918-1976) , this faithful representation of one of the most daring cavalry exploits in history is both a moving tribute to the men who fought and die in that bloody war , and a poweful , action-packed drama . Based on an actual Civil War incident , THE HORSE SOLDIER tells the rousting tale of a troop of Union soldiers who force their way deep Southern Territory to destroy a rebel stronghold a Newton Station . In command is hardbiten Colonel Marlowe (Wayne) , a man who is strikingly contrasted by the company's gentle surgeon (Holden) and the beautiful but crafty Southern belle (Constance Towers 1933 - ) who's forced to accompany the Union raiders on perhaps the most harrowing mission in the war . High Quality Transfer . Recommended

Movie Review: John Wayne and William Holden saddle up for this fact-based All-Action Horse Ride!
Summary: 4 Stars

THE HORSE SOLDIERS (1959) directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne this is their penultimate Western together, sandwiched neatly between the vastly superior THE SEARCHERS (1956) and THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE (1962). Nevertheless this is a fine film, which returns once again to Ford's beloved US Cavalry that was depicted so wonderfully in the so-called Cavalry Trilogy some ten or so years earlier.

This American Civil War story is based on a true successful incident in 1863 known as Grierson's Raid. General Ulysses S. Grant sent a brigade of Union Cavalry under Colonel Benjamin Grierson though enemy-held territory from southern Tennessee through Mississippi to Louisiana to the union-held city of Baton Rouge. The purpose was to destroy enemy rail infrastructure so creating a diversion from the Union's main attack on Vicksburg. Ford has taken some poetic licence with the story but is pretty even-handed in his story telling of a period in American history that set North against South and brother against brother, that resulted in the loss of over 620,000 men.

Ford's version is taken from a novel "The Horse Soldiers" by Harold Sinclair and has a former railroad builder Colonel John Marlowe (John Wayne) leading his mini-brigade through enemy territory to attack the Confederate held Newton Station, along the way at Greenbriar he picks up "southern belle" Hannah Hunter (Constance Towers) who has overheard details of the forthcoming raid also frustrating his efforts is his new Regimental Surgeon Major Henry Kendall (William Holden). Other contentions are his second in command Colonel Philip Secord (Willis Bouchey) is more interested in securing an election victory than a military one. The rest of the cast is made up of many of Ford's regulars including Ken Curtis, Hank Worden and former cowboy star Hoot Gibson.

This may not be John Ford at his very best, but the film does contain some excellent sequences in the directors' best manner including: The horse soldiers on the skyline, The aftermath at Newton Station, The young cadets advancing on the Union troops, The charge over the bridge at the end and last but not least the scene where Towers is serving supper to Wayne and his men at Greenbriers, she asked an embarrassed Wayne "What is your preference leg or breast?" during which time Ford gives us a daring (for the 1950's) view of Miss Towers cleavage!

The filming on location in Louisiana came to an unsatisfactory conclusion when one of Ford's regular stuntman Fred Kennedy was killed whilst falling from his horse during the final battle scenes at the bridge. Ford was very upset and lost interest in the film, so they packed up and went home. Later additional footage was shot back in The San Fernando Valley, California to complete the film!

Transfer to DVD is just about okay; included are the original theatrical release trailer with interactive menu screens and chapter selections. All Ford / Wayne Westerns are worthy of treatment to the highest standard available in Restoration and Presentation. Still pretty good value for money though!