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The Horse Soldiers Reviews

1959 Certificate PG
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 845 members

THE HORSE SOLDIERS, John Ford's only attempt at tackling the subject of the Civil War, is based on Grierson's Raid, part of the Union's assault on Vicksburg in April 1863. After a number of failed efforts at taking the Southern stronghold, Union leaders assign Col. John Marlowe (John Wayne), a railroad designer in civilian life,.. Read more

Starring John Wayne, William Holden, Constance Towers, Hoot Gibson
Director John Ford
Genres Action/Adventure

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  • Critics' reviews (3) of The Horse Soldiers

    View all
  • 3 stars out of 5

    This stirring American Civil War epic was not liked on its release by fans of the great western director John Ford: it's not really a western and it seemed dramatically unconvincing. Today, however, Ford's marvellous set pieces and stunning use of landscape are genuinely thrilling, and there's nostalgic value in seeing two great lamented movie stars (John Wayne and William Holden) teamed and contrasted so cleverly: it's medic Holden who mouths the liberal sentiments. The film is based on a true incident (the 1863 Grierson raid deep into the south to cut supply lines to Vicksburg), and Ford tells the tale straight and true; but the sequence that stays in the memory is that of the southern military cadets being ordered to lay down their young lives for the cause to the sound of fife and drum. Music is expertly used, as David Buttolph's score includes a range of army choruses, and the combination of the soundtrack and photographer William Clothier's stunning images makes this a minor masterpiece from a major director.

    • Radio Times
  • Underrated Civil War Western, leisurely and sometimes simplistic, but mostly quintessential Ford as Wayne's pragmatic... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
  • 1 stars out of 4

    Typically sprawling John Ford cavalry Western with not too many high spots and more sombre ingredients than usual.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • Most helpful members' reviews (3) of The Horse Soldiers

    View all
  • 4 out of 5 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Average John Wayne

    Average story.

    Average acting.

    Average film.

      • Paul Wright from TEESSIDE, England
  • 1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 2 stars

    Inferior John Ford

    I like Westerns, and I like John Ford. But the director made a lot of mediocre movies, and this is one of them. The dated portrayal of relations between the sexes is annoying. The battle scenes do work but arent enough. Unless you're a big fan of someone or something connected with this one, dont bother.

      • DD from London
  • Rated - 4 stars

    Classic!

    Excellent John Ford flick. John Wayne and William Holden both excel in this enjoyable movie.

      • Jason from Middlesbrough,England
  • Most recent members' reviews (2) of The Horse Soldiers

    View all
  • 4 out of 5 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Average John Wayne

    Average story.

    Average acting.

    Average film.

      • Paul Wright from TEESSIDE, England
  • Rated - 3 stars

    Average Wayne

    John Fords only attempt at a civil war tale, based very loosely on a real raid by Union Cavalry behind Southern lines.John Wayne leads the way but Holden is the better actor by far. Most of Waynes' support group are along in this very average film.

      • A customer from Downpatrick
  • 4 out of 5 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Average John Wayne

    Average story.

    Average acting.

    Average film.

      • Paul Wright from TEESSIDE, England
  • 1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 2 stars

    Inferior John Ford

    I like Westerns, and I like John Ford. But the director made a lot of mediocre movies, and this is one of them. The dated portrayal of relations between the sexes is annoying. The battle scenes do work but arent enough. Unless you're a big fan of someone or something connected with this one, dont bother.

      • DD from London
  • Rated - 4 stars

    Classic!

    Excellent John Ford flick. John Wayne and William Holden both excel in this enjoyable movie.

      • Jason from Middlesbrough,England
  • Rated - 3 stars

    Average Wayne

    John Fords only attempt at a civil war tale, based very loosely on a real raid by Union Cavalry behind Southern lines.John Wayne leads the way but Holden is the better actor by far. Most of Waynes' support group are along in this very average film.

      • A customer from Downpatrick
  • Rated - 5 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    the horse soldiers

    very good typical classic john wayne western

      • ricky
  • Critics' reviews (3)

  • 3 stars out of 5

    This stirring American Civil War epic was not liked on its release by fans of the great western director John Ford: it's not really a western and it seemed dramatically unconvincing. Today, however, Ford's marvellous set pieces and stunning use of landscape are genuinely thrilling, and there's nostalgic value in seeing two great lamented movie stars (John Wayne and William Holden) teamed and contrasted so cleverly: it's medic Holden who mouths the liberal sentiments. The film is based on a true incident (the 1863 Grierson raid deep into the south to cut supply lines to Vicksburg), and Ford tells the tale straight and true; but the sequence that stays in the memory is that of the southern military cadets being ordered to lay down their young lives for the cause to the sound of fife and drum. Music is expertly used, as David Buttolph's score includes a range of army choruses, and the combination of the soundtrack and photographer William Clothier's stunning images makes this a minor masterpiece from a major director.

    • Radio Times
  • Underrated Civil War Western, leisurely and sometimes simplistic, but mostly quintessential Ford as Wayne's pragmatic... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
  • 1 stars out of 4

    Typically sprawling John Ford cavalry Western with not too many high spots and more sombre ingredients than usual.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide

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    • THE HORSE SOLDIERS, John Ford's only attempt at tackling the subject of the Civil War, is based on Grierson's Raid, part of the Union's assault on Vicksburg in April 1863. After a number of failed ...

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845 Member ratings
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66
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14

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