The Horse Soldiers
Directed by John Ford
Written by John Lee Mahin and Martin Racklin from a novel by Harold Sinclair
1959/USA
The Mirisch Corporation/Mahin-Racklin
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Major Kendall: Look here, colonel, I didn’t ask to be assigned to this mission…[/box]
This is an OK civil war flick with good performances from John Wayne and William Holden. I expect something more special from John Ford, however.
Col. John Marlowe (Wayne) and his men are assigned to blow up a railroad and supply depot behind Confederate lines. Physician Maj. Henry Kendall (Holden) accompanies them. He and the Colonel have an instant antipathy, both because of their strong personalities and because Marlowe has a hatred of all doctors since his wife died after unnecessary surgery.
On the way to their destination, the officers are hosted at a plantation owned by Hannah Hunter (Constance Towers). She spies while the men are discussing their strategy. But she is spotted and taken along so she cannot report to the rebels. She is feisty but eventually becomes a part of the team. With Olympic tennis great Althea Gibson as Hannah’s servant and Hoot Gibson, Struther Martin, and Hank Martin doing their thing in character roles.
There are some some good set pieces in this, especially when young Confederate military cadets go off to battle as soldiers. Overall, I found the film watchable, if not particularly memorable.
Trailer
