The Horse Soldiers

Starring:John Wayne, William Holden, Constance Towers, Judson Pratt, Hoot Gibson, Ken Curtis, Willis Bouchey, Bing Russell, O.Z. Whitehead, Hank Worden, Chuck Hayward, Denver Pyle, Strother Martin, Basil Ruysdael, Carleton Young, William Leslie, William Henry, Walter Reed, Anna Lee, William Forrest
Director: John Ford
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
This latter-day sort-of Western from John Ford--falling midway between The Searchers and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance--is a crisp retelling of a true-life episode from the Civil War. In 1863 a Union colonel named Grierson (Marlowe in the film, and John Wayne by any name) led his cavalry several hundred miles behind Confederate lines to cut the railroad between Newton Station and soon-to-be-embattled Vicksburg. Grierson's Raid was as successful as it was daring, and remarkably bloodless. Never fear that the screenplay makes up for that un-Hollywood lapse--as well as supplying amatory distraction for the colonel in the form of a feisty Southern belle (Constance Towers) who has to be dragged along to protect secrecy.

Amazon.com

This latter-day sort-of Western from John Ford--falling midway between The Searchers and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance--is a crisp retelling of a true-life episode from the Civil War. In 1863 a Union colonel named Grierson (Marlowe in the film, and John Wayne by any name) led his cavalry several hundred miles behind Confederate lines to cut the railroad between Newton Station and soon-to-be-embattled Vicksburg. Grierson's Raid was as successful as it was daring, and remarkably bloodless. Never fear that the screenplay makes up for that un-Hollywood lapse--as well as supplying amatory distraction for the colonel in the form of a feisty Southern belle (Constance Towers) who has to be dragged along to protect secrecy.

Description

John Wayne teams with William Holden and eminent western director John Ford for this frontier actioner "packed with laughter, romance and thrills" (The Hollywood Reporter)! Written by John LeeMahin and Martin Rackin, this faithful representation of one of the most daring cavalry exploits inhistory is both a moving tribute to the men who fought and died in that bloody war and a powerful, action-packed drama.Based on an actual Civil War incident, The Horse Soldiers tells the rousing tale of a troop of Union soldiers who force their way deep into Southern territory to destroy a rebel stronghold at Newton Station. In command is hardbitten 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) who's forced to accompany the Union raiders on perhaps the most harrowing mission in the war.

Customer Reviews:

John Wayne and William Holden saddle up for this fact-based All-Action Horse Ride!.......2007-06-30

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 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!

The Duke hates Doctors..........2007-06-16

I saw this John Ford film in a theatre in 59 when it was released. I don't think I liked it that much because I never bothered to get it on VHS years ago...well the DVD was on sale here at Amazon and I picked it up, very glad I did. It is so well made and great characters populate this tale. Bill Holden is alongside John Wayne as their Union Calvary penetrate their way into the deep South. Constance Towers is dragonned into their mission for they fear she will alert Johnny Reb of their whereabouts. The Duke hates Holden because Bill is a doctor and The Duke has his reasons why he cares little for "you sawbones". Loads of action and scenery a trademark of Mr Ford and this is now is one of my favorite of his many fine films.

the horse soldiers.......2007-05-13

i donot enjoy this movie as much as the other john wayne western

History of the Civil War.......2007-01-12

I purchased this DVD because of my interest in the history of the Civil War in the U.S.A., especially the facts concerning General Grant's capture of the fort at Vicksburg, Mississippi. General Grant was the person responsible for intiating the attact on Newton Station to destroy supplies the South had, the railroad tracks that would be used to reinforce the fort at Vicksburg and as a distraction to the Southern armies during Grants attack on the fort at Vicksburg. I believe this movie portrayed these facts quite well, while adding a description of the terrible experiences caused by this war.

Aging Greats Creak Along.......2006-12-05

Ford, Wayne and Holden were all getting a bit old for this saturday matinee kiddie action stuff and it shows. Holden plays a doctor and seems a perfectly reasonable chap but Wayne picks a bone with him because Ford needed some dramatic intensity. Indeed, it would seem Holden was included for his star power not because they needed an experienced actor for his poorly drawn role. Constance Towers seems to be in the same boat as she perfornms the obligatory spirited but feminine 50's era postergirl. Ford and Wayne's second to last collaboration. By this time Wayne was doing Pappy a favor as Wayne had shot past his one time mentor in the fame department. Cliches and stereotypes abound. Both Wayne and Holden, particularly Holden, look thoroughly bored. If you really want to see Holden in a great western, watch The Wild Bunch. If you want to see a great Ford/Wayne western, you're in luck. They made five Westerns that qualify as genuine classics: The Searchers, Stagecoach and the calvary trilogy. Horse Soldiers is for Wayne, Ford and Holden completists.

Average customer rating:

Riding Behind Enemy Lines.

The Horse Soldiers [Region 2]
Starring: John Wayne , William Holden , Constance Towers , Judson Pratt , and Hoot Gibson
Director: John Ford
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00015N588

Customer Reviews:

Riding Behind Enemy Lines........2006-12-05

Undoubtedly John Ford is one of the greatest film directors of all times. He had a special knack to imprint a galloping rhythm to his movies, most adequate virtue for making "The Horse Soldiers" (1959).

The film based on Harold Sinclair's historical novel of the same title recounts the foray of a Union's Brigade into Confederate territory.
In command of this column is Col. Marlowe and attached to his staff is regimental surgeon Maj. Kendall. Both men are strong headed and will clash since the very begging of the raid.
To add some more stress into the picture the detachment has to carry an unwilling and hostile Southern Lady.

The film contains some wonderful and emotive actions scenes. To be noted the charge of the Rebs into the town controlled by Marlowe's troop and the Military Academy's child-soldiers marching in line with unflinching decision.
The numerous cavalcades underlined by joyous marching songs are a pleasure to see.

John Wayne and William Holden put into action all their charisma and acting experience to flesh the two main characters. Constance Towers as Miss Hannah Hunter of Greenbriar display a very good acting piece; starting as a Country Lady trying to deceive her enemies and ending as a compromised acting nurse to the soldiers around her.
The rest of the cast is great in their supporting roles. Special mention is deserved by Hoot Gibson in his picturesque Sgt. Brown.

It is a great film to be enjoyed by general public and a special treat for Ford's fans as me.
Reviewed by Max Yofre.

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