The Horse Soldiers [Blu-ray]

Director: John Ford John Ford

Overview

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.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/14/2022
UPC:	0738329259167
Original Release:	1959
Rating:	NR
Source:	Kl Studio Classics
Language:	English
Time:	2:00:00
Sales rank:	5,130

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

William Holden	Maj. Henry Kendall
John Wayne	Col. John Marlowe
Constance Towers	Miss Hannah Hunter of Greenbriar
Althea Gibson	Lukey,Brown
Anna Lee	Mrs. Buford
Russell Simpson	Sheriff
Stan Jones	Gen. U.S. Grant
Carleton Young	Col. Jonathan Miles
Basil Ruysdael	Boys School Commandant
Willis Bouchey	Col. Phil Secord,Col. Phil Secord
Ken Curtis	Wilkie
O.Z. Whitehead	Hoppy Hopkins
Judson Pratt	Sgt. Maj. Kirby
Denver Pyle	Jagger Jo
Strother Martin	Virgil
Hank Worden	Deacon
Walter Reed	Union Officer
Jack Pennick	Sgt. Maj. Mitchell
Fred Graham	Union Scout
Chuck Hayward	Capt. Woodward
Charles Steel	Newton Station Bartender
Stuart Holmes	Train Passenger
Major Sam Harris	Confederate Major,Passenger to Newton Station
Richard Cutting	Gen. Sherman,Gen. William T. Sherman
Bing Russell	Dunker
William Forrest	Gen. Steve Hurburt
Fred Kennedy	Cavalryman,Wrangler
William Henry	Confederate Lieutenant
William Leslie	Maj. Richard Gray
Ron Hagerthy	Bugler
Donald Foster	Dr. Marvin
Cliff Lyons	Sergeant
Jan Stine	Dying Man
Dan Borzage	Actor,Ned
Otis Courville	Soldier
Sarge Allen	Union Officer
Charles Seel	Newton Station Bartender
William Wellman Jr.	Bugler
David Buttolph	Composer
Duke Fishman	Prisoner at Newton
Michael Jeffers	Prisoner at Newton

Technical Credits

Martin Rackin

John Lee Mahin

Harold Sinclair

John Ford	Director
Martin Rackin	Screenwriter,Producer
John Lee Mahin	Screenwriter,Producer
Augie Lohman	Special Effects
Harold Sinclair	Screenwriter
Jack Solomon	Sound Effects
Walter Mirisch	Producer
Jim Burk	Stunts

Editorial Reviews

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.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler