The Horse Soldiers (1959)
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100% of critics liked it
(7 reviews) -
70% of users liked it
(7,420 ratings)
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… More 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, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Ford
- Written By
- John Lee Mahin, Martin Rackin
- Genres
- Western, Drama, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1959 Wide
- Studio
- United Artists
Critic Reviews
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Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Lively Western full of events and imagery.
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Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
Though flawed, John Ford's The Horse Soldiers has a fair amount going for it: the well-oiled partnership of Ford and star John Wayne (and an assist from William Holden); Ford's vivid visual style; and large-scale action. [Blu-ray]
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Though not one of John Ford-John Wayne's best collaborations, this Civil War Western has some merits, primarily visual, but also thematic in positing the military (Wayne) verus the medical profession (William Holden) in terms of civic and personal duty
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Fine Wayne and Ford western with equally strong Holden.
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Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
It's a lesser Ford, rife with his backward attempts at humor, and the DVD transfer is slightly grainy, but it's still very much worth a viewing.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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John Wayne
as Col. John Marlowe
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William Holden
as Maj. Hank Kendall
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Constance Towers
as Hannah Hunter
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Althea Gibson
as Lukey
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Hoot Gibson
as Brown
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Anna Lee
as Mrs. Buford
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Russell Simpson
as Sheriff Capt. Henry Goodboy
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Stan Jones
as Gen. U.S. Grant
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Carleton Young
as Col. Jonathan Miles
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Basil Ruysdael
as Commandant Jefferson Military Academy
- Danny Borzage
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Willis B. Bouchey
as Col. Phil Secord
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Ken Curtis
as Wilkie
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Richard H. Cutting
as Gen. Sherman
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William Forrest
as Gen. Hurlbut
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Fred Graham
as Union soldier
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Ron Hagerthy
as Bugler
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Sam Harris
as Confederate Major, Passenger to Newton S...
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Chuck Hayward
as Union captain
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William Henry
as Union officer
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Stuart Holmes
as Passenger to Newton Station
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Fred Kennedy
as Soldier
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William Leslie
as Maj. Gray Confederate artillery
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Cliff Lyons
as Sergeant
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Strother Martin
as Virgil
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Judson Pratt
as Sgt. Maj. Kirby
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Denver Pyle
as Jagger Jo
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Walter Reed
as Union officer
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Bing Russell
as Dunker
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Charles Seel
as Newton Station commander
- William Wellman Jr.
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O.Z. Whitehead
as "Hoppy" Hopkins
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Hank Worden
as Deacon Clump
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Jack Pennick
as Sgt. Maj. Mitchell
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Donald Foster
as Dr. Marvin
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Jan Stine
as Dying Man
