Wednesday, August 16, 2017

The Horse Soldiers (1959)

Director: John Ford

Writers: John Lee Mahin, Martin Rackin, Harold Sinclair

Composer: David Buttolph

Starring: John Wayne, William Holden, Constance Towers, Judson Pratt, Hoot Gibson, Ken Curtis, Willis Bouchey, Bing Russell, O.Z. Whitehead, Hank Worden, Chuck Hayward, Denver Pyle, Strother Martin

More info: IMDb

Tagline:  ...Rides Where Only The Great Ones Go!

Plot: A Union Cavalry outfit is sent behind Confederate lines in strength to destroy a rail/supply center. Along with them is sent a doctor who causes instant antipathy between him and the commander. The secret plan for the mission is overheard by a southern belle who must be taken along to assure her silence. The Union officers each have different reasons for wanting to be on the mission.



My rating: 7/10

Will I watch it again?  Yes.

I don't know...call me weird but I'd like more Civil War action and less of the romance stuff in this picture.  I liked it.  Hell, I'd probably even love it if I got to see it on the big screen with big ole box of corn and a tall glass of Coke.  While I'm in my fantasy I'll go ahead and add hot wings and fried shrimp to that list.  The older I get the more I like John Wayne.  He's not far off from being a one note performer but he does it so well it's hard not to respect him for it.  Holden cast as he usually was but I like the guy a lot.  I doubt I'll see him as badass as he was in THE WILD BUNCH (1969) but I won't stop going through his catalog to find out.  The pair play well off each other and I can identify with each and understand their reasoning.  Ford was a great director and this is easily suited to his talents.  It's a good picture but it falls shy of being a great one.  The lovey dovey stuff throws a monkey wrench into the works but it's still a fun ride nonetheless.  The MGM Blu-ray looks magnificent.


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