The Horse Soldiers *** (1959, John Wayne, William Holden, Constance Towers, Judson Pratt, Hoot Gibson) – Classic Movie Review 6771

Starting with The Horse Soldiers (1959), six of John Ford’s last eight completed movies were Westerns, including The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. But before that, he made only one Western from 1950 to 1959, The Searchers (1956).

Director John Ford’s 1959 big budget Civil War Western The Horse Soldiers stars John Wayne as Union colonel John Marlowe leading a sabotage party into rebel territory, and clashing with pacifist army doctor Major Henry Kendall (William Holden).

Ford throws in more action than usual, but the spunky heroine Hannah Hunter (played by Constance Towers) and the loyal support crew of actors are typical touches. Although often rousing, The Horse Soldiers remains stubbornly ordinary and stuck in a familiar rut in places, so it is not among Ford’s very best work. However, the beautiful images of Louisiana in autumn shot by cinematographer William H Clothier add a touch of class.

The screenplay by producers John Lee Mahin and Martin Rackin is based on the novel by Harold Sinclair.

Also in the cast are Judson Pratt, Hoot Gibson, Anna Lee, Russell Simpson, Stan Jones, O Z Whitehead, Jack Pennick, Althea Gibson, Ken Curtis, Denver Pyle, Strother Martin, Ken Curtis, Willis Bouchey, Bing Russell, Hank Worden, Chuck Hayward, Basil Ruysdael, Carleton Young, William Leslie, Walter Reed, William Forrest and Ron Hagerthy.

The Horse Soldiers is directed by John Ford, runs 120 minutes, is made by Mirisch, released by United Artists, written by John Lee Mahin and Martin Rackin, based on the novel by Harold Sinclair, shot by William H Clothier, produced by John Lee Mahin and Martin Rackin and scored by David Buttolph, with Art Direction by Frank Hotaling.

Ford won a record four Best Director Oscars – for The Informer (1935), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), How Green Was My Valley (1941), and The Quiet Man (1952).

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6771

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