The Horse Soldiers (1959)

100% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(7,316 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

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 54 min.
Directed By: John Ford
Written By: John Lee Mahin, Martin Rackin
Genres: Western, Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1959 Wide
On DVD: May 8, 2001
Studio: United Artists

Critic Reviews

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]
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
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Fine Wayne and Ford western with equally strong Holden.
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.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
This is a quintessential John Ford Western.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Graham J

Not one of the essential Ford/Wayne westerns but nevertheless a strong film. Wayne and Holden are great and Ford's vivid visual style is striking.
Tim S

Another fantastic Wayne/Ford classic. The Searchers seems to have a lot in common with this film as far as themes and actors, so it tends to remind me of it a lot at times.
Dean M

This John Ford's frontier actioner packed with laughter, romance and thrills. Based on a true incident during the Civil War, this is a minor, but enjoyable. John Wayne and William Holden play well-matched adversaries.
xGary X

The John Ford/John Wayne partnership is probably the most reliable in the history of the western, although it can seem a little difficult to tell some of them apart. Stoic union colonel Wayne is joined by humanitarian doctor William Holden and a captive southern belle for a typically… More
The John Ford/John Wayne partnership is probably the most reliable in the history of the western, although it can seem a little difficult to tell some of them apart. Stoic union colonel Wayne is joined by humanitarian doctor William Holden and a captive southern belle for a typically solid and entertaining civil war adventure. Quality stuff, but it won't win over non-western fans.
Keith M

Sometimes looks can be deceiving. With John Wayne, William Holden and John Ford all working on the same movie I think that my expectations were really high, so I came out of this a little disappointed. I was just expecting so much from these guys.
Barry L

Its John Wayne...nuff said.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            John Wayne as Col. John Marlowe

            William Holden as Maj. Hank Kendall

            Constance Towers as Hannah Hunter

            Althea Gibson as Lukey

            Hoot Gibson as Brown

            Anna Lee as Mrs. Buford

            Russell Simpson as Sheriff Capt. Henry Goodboy

            Stan Jones as Gen. U.S. Grant

            Carleton Young as Col. Jonathan Miles

            Basil Ruysdael as Commandant Jefferson Military Academy

            Danny Borzage
            
            Willis B. Bouchey as Col. Phil Secord

            Ken Curtis as Wilkie

            Richard H. Cutting as Gen. Sherman

            William Forrest as Gen. Hurlbut

            Fred Graham as Union soldier

            Ron Hagerthy as Bugler

            Sam Harris as Confederate Major

            Chuck Hayward as Union captain

            William Henry as Union officer

            Stuart Holmes as Passenger to Newton Station

            Fred Kennedy as Soldier

            William Leslie as Maj. Gray Confederate artillery

            Cliff Lyons as Sergeant

            Strother Martin as Virgil

            Judson Pratt as Sgt. Maj. Kirby

            Denver Pyle as Jagger Jo

            Walter Reed as Union officer

            Bing Russell as Dunker

            Charles Seel as Newton Station commander

            William Wellman Jr.
            
            O.Z. Whitehead as "Hoppy" Hopkins

            Hank Worden as Deacon Clump

            Jack Pennick as Sgt. Maj. Mitchell

            Donald Foster as Dr. Marvin

            Jan Stine as Dying Man
See full cast