The Horse Soldiers Classic

The Horse Soldiers

John Wayne teams with William Holden and eminent western director John Ford for this frontier actioner "packed with laughter, romance and thrills". This is a faithful representation of one of the most daring cavalry exploits in the history is both a moving tribute to the men who fought and died in the bloody war, and a powerful, action packed drama.

Based on an actual Civil War incident, the horse soldiers tells the rousing tale of a troop of Union soldiers who force thier way deep into Southern territory to destroy a rebel stronghold at Newton Station. In command is hardbitten Colonel Marlowe, a man who is strikingly contrasted by the company's gentle surgeon and the beautiful but crafty Southern belle (Constance Towers) who's forced to accompany the Union raiders on perhaps the most harrowing mission in the war.

As a war buff, I loved these old, simple movies. As a collector, I had to have this classic

The Horse Soldiers

For the John Wayne people, this a classic Duke picture. He plays a rough and tumble no nonsense Yankee Commander in the Civil War, taking on the impossible mission behind Confederate lines. William Holden plays the Calvary Surgen who is at constant odds with Wayne, and looks down on him and his command. They end up under the roof of the Souther Bell played by Constance Towers, who is true blue to the South and everything it stands for. With a great dislike for Yankees, she accidently overhears secret plans and must be taken prisoner by Wayne. She does all she can to disrute the Yankees plans, but in the end falls in love with the compassionate nature the John Wayne portrays. Great movie to watch with the entire family.

The Horse Soldiers (DVD, 2001)

This was a great John Wayne movie and maybe one of the best Civil War movies of all time. It is April, 1863, and the Union assault on Vicksburg is not going well. The Confederacy has continually been able to keep the garrison resupplied, and unless the tracks and train lines from the supply depot in Newton Station can be knocked out, the Union just may lose the war. The man selected for this mission is Col. John Marlowe (Wayne). Before the war, he was a railroad design engineer. Totally understanding that this mission could wind up being very much a suicide mission, Col Marlowe and his second in command, a rather inept politically appointed officer from New England, Col. Secord (Willis Bouchery), draw up their plans and off they go. A medical unit is assigned to this expedition headed up by Major Kendall (William Holden). Marlowe doesn't want Kendall along, fearing his medical unit will slow them down, and this is a wedge that stays between them. Col Marlowe hates doctors, because an inept doctor once operated on his wife and she died.

The expedition hadn't gone far when it is spotted by Confederate troops. Stopping for the night, Marlowe and his forces billet at a plantation named Greenbriar, the home of Miss Hannah Hunter (Constance Towers). Catching her eavesdropping on a strategy meeting, they are forced to take both her and her servant Lukie with them.

She is a real handful and tries to signal Southern troops twice. The resulting conflict between Marlowe and Kendall is heating up and now the relationship between Hannah Hunter and Marlowe is getting hot too. Finally arriving at Newton Station, a major battle occurs and there are many Confederate and Union casualties. Miss Hunter and Dr. Kendall work hard to save lives as Col. Marlowe wrestles with his own demons. Hannah sees a different side of Col. Marlowe now. Having heard the story of his wife and seeing his concern and compassion for all of the wounded and suffering, both Union and Ccnfederate, she begins to see a different man, one with a dirty job, and one who wants to put an end to it fast.

With the destruction of the rail head and rolling stock, their mission is essentially accomplished. Escape however, is now all but impossible. Their best bet is to head for Baton Rouge and eventually to New Orleans, where Union soldiers are in control. There is a sizable Confederate force between them and New Orleans though. At one point a fight between Marlowe's forces and a boy's military academy almost takes place. This battle was loosely reminiscent of the battle called "The Field of Shoes" that took place between student cadets of V.M.I. and Union soldiers in the Shenandoah Valley. This running battle and chase has Marlowe's troops constantly ahead of Confederate forces through the pine forests and swamps of southern Louisiana and Mississippi.

Having to leave Major Kendall and a large number of wounded soldiers to the clemency of Confederate forces, Col. Marlowe moves his remaining forces towards New Orleans. He and Hannah have fought and struggled against each other so much that they have both found that they are in love. With a kiss, and her blue scarf around his neck, they part for now.

Horse Soldiers

I bought this movie because it is one of my all time favorites. This is based on a true story about a Union raid into the heart of the Confederacy during Grants battle for Vickburg. John Wayne and William Holden are excellent in this movie. Defiantely one to own for any Civil War buff.

The Horse Soldiers

An adventure film typical of what Hollywood was producing in the early 60s. The characters were straight forward with unambiguous values. It was fun to see John Wayne and William Holden again. The story line resembles Grierson's Raid only sligltly but what do you expect when you include a pretty blond and a love story that was never meant to be. dsb