Movies:
The Horse Soldiers
DVD Release
- Release Date: 2001
- English: mono
- Spanish: mono
- Original theatrical trailer
- French & Spanish subtitles
- Rating:
- Genre: Western
- Movie Type: Cavalry Film
- Themes: Heroic Mission
- Director: John Ford
- Main Cast: John Wayne, William Holden, Constance Towers, Althea Gibson, Hoot Gibson
- Release Year: 1959
- Country: US
- Run Time: 114 minutes
Plot
Based on an actual Civil War mission, Colonel Marlowe (John Wayne) and Major Kendall (William Holden) are ordered by General Grant to take three regiments 300 miles into enemy territory. They must destroy the railroad line between Newton Station and Vicksburg in hopes of choking off supplies to the South. Marlowe encounters a Southern belle loyal to the enemy, and keeps her in sight throughout the journey so she can't warn the Confederates. Kendall, a Northern surgeon, and the crusty Marlowe have their differences along the way. Action, romance and gory battlefield surgery accompany the army as the mission is completed. John Ford directed this film based on a novel by Harold Sinclair. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie GuideReview
John Ford's only film to center around the Civil War, The Horse Soldiers overcomes a number of flaws to emerge as a solid, often exciting, movie that just misses being top-drawer Ford. Of course, even lesser Ford is still better than most movies, and Horse has plenty going for it. It has that distinctive Ford look, and William Clothier's cinematography is nothing short of stunning; several shots practically cry out to be framed and placed upon the wall, and the fluidity of the action sequences adds to the film's energy and drive. John Wayne delivers his usual strong, solid performance; it's not necessarily acting of a high order, but it provides the kind of brawny anchor that the film requires. It also gives William Holden's humane doctor a foil to play off of, which he does quite effectively. Unfortunately, the screenplay doesn't develop these or any of the characters to the extent necessary, giving the film a superficial quality that blunts its effectiveness. That said, it does contain a number of moving and effective scenes, such as one in which a group of Southern children must go into battle. Constance Towers is another problem; she's attractive, but Ford fails to reign in her excessive and annoying performance. Despite its flaws, Horse manages to be an engrossing and exciting horse opera. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie GuideCast
- John Wayne - Col. John Marlowe
- William Holden - Maj. Hank Kendall
- Constance Towers - Hannah Hunter
- Althea Gibson - Lukey
- Hoot Gibson - Brown
Anna Lee - Mrs. Buford; Russell Simpson - Sheriff Capt. Henry Goodboy; Stan Jones - Gen. U.S. Grant; Carleton Young - Col. Jonathan Miles; Basil Ruysdael - Commandant, Jefferson Military Academy; Danny Borzage; Willis B. Bouchey - Col. Phil Secord; Ken Curtis - Wilkie; Richard H. Cutting - Gen. Sherman; William Forrest - Gen. Hurlbut; Fred Graham - Union soldier; Ron Hagerthy - Bugler; Sam Harris - Confederate Major; Sam Harris - Passenger to Newton Station; Chuck Hayward - Union captain; William Henry - Union officer; Stuart Holmes - Passenger to Newton Station; Fred Kennedy - Soldier; William Leslie - Maj. Gray, Confederate artillery; Cliff Lyons - Sergeant; Strother Martin - Virgil; Judson Pratt - Sgt. Maj. Kirby; Denver Pyle - Jagger Jo; Walter Reed - Union officer; Bing Russell - Dunker; Charles Seel - Newton Station commander; William Wellman, Jr.; O.Z. Whitehead - "Hoppy" Hopkins; Hank Worden - Deacon Clump; Jack Pennick - Sgt. Maj. Mitchell; Donald Foster - Dr. Marvin; Jan Stine - Dying Man
