Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Civil War Film from John Ford
Review: THE HORSE SOLDIERS is an unusual cavalry movie from director John Ford. Usually Ford gives us an image of the United States Cavalry in all its might and splendor defending the frontier against Indians against the backdrop of Monument Valley. In THE HORSE SOLDIERS the cavalry, again commanded by John Wayne is relegated to a mission during the Civil War deep behind Confederate lines. They are on a mission of mayhem and destruction, which is repugnant to Wayne. This is really contrary to earlier Ford films where the cavalry is a defender of society. William Holden, the doctor assigned to Wayne's staff is there to remind Wayne of just how futile War is and that his own talents as a doctor are being squandered in the conflict. This is actually a great film from Ford and it is a treat because Civil War films have always been too few and far apart. This is a film about duty, loyalties and misconceptions. The images in this film are indelible. The scene where the Confederate military school sends out its young boys to face Wayne's cavalry is unforgettable. The film also asks the viewer through its images some hard questions about the nobility of the Southern society vs. that of the rag tag looking Union cavalry. This is a much deeper film than it appears or has been given credit. As for the DVD, the print is sharp and very attractive looking.
Rating: 
Summary: Good cavalry war picture in full fordian style
Review: There's always something you know very well that you like to see again in every picture filmed by John Ford.Here we are again with the glory of fighting South shining in every frame .The young proud southerner lady.The wound ridden confederate officer at the railway station.The boys of the military school A bit of love out of mutual respect from the lady and the hardened yankee officer.The blacks faithful to their owners. And look at the horse soldiers, the scouts.Silhouettes on the fading light of the day. You know very well every glorious frame,you have already seen it a dozen times in a dozen or so Ford's pictures.But you never feel tired of them.You stay there and look.The film flows into your eyes,camera always pans slowly, to let you have the time to follow people,horses,background,clouds,and all that belongs to the art of this unique film director that was John Ford.
Rating:
Summary: Great Civil war film
Review: This is a classic war film. It has been called a "western", but I think it is more of a war film. Most of the picture takes place in the deep south, not the west. John Wayne is great as usual. John Ford proves he can direct great war films as well as westerns. If you like war films, or The Duke, get this dvd. The picture quality is great for a film released in 1959! This goes great along side "Gettysburg", and "Glory". There is a short part towards the end of the film, where some of the great music from Ford's "The Searchers" is used. This is a well made film.
Rating:
Summary: Another Ford-Wayne based on a Historical event.
Review: This movie teams William Holden with JW and the friction between these characters holds the movie. I rate this as one of my top 10 JW movies. The movie is based on historical events and except for a battle that didn't happen, it is close to the truth.
Rating:
Summary: Another Ford-Wayne based on a Historical event.
Review: This movie teams William Holden with JW and the friction between these characters holds the movie. I rate this as one of my top 10 JW movies. The movie is based on historical events and except for a battle that didn't happen, it is close to the truth.
Rating:
Summary: Purely For Entertainment
Review: This movie, loosely based on Benjamin Grierson's cavalry raid during the war Between the States, contains little in factual information on this raid, but can be viewed purely for entertainment. Those truly interested in cavalry raids, or the war Between the States in general, may be put off by the factual inaccuracies, but I recommend it as pure enjoyment for all. Considering the time period in which it was made, it is very well done. The cast is also great; John Wayne as the bull-headed Colonel dead set on going all the way, William Holden as the surgeon who manages to push Wayne's character to the limit, and Constance Towers as the beautiful Southern Belle forced by the circumstances of war to accompany the cavaliers on their raid. The blossoming relationship between John wayne and Constance Towers in this one only adds to the enjoyment. Though maybe not appealing to all, I feel everyone will enjoy this one.
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Summary: JD's Review
Review: This, I believe Wayne's only full-length Civil War film, movie was based on the historical cavalry raid of B.H. Grierson from La Grange, Tennessee, to destroy Newton Station, Mississippi. Wayne's character Col. Marlow is caught in the paradox of performing his assigned military duty in a role that he detests personally. This was one of two film roles that Wayne handles masterfully, the leader-in-conflict. The other was in the Green Berets. Complimenting the performance of Wayne and Holden is a first-class musical score. I can't wait for this in DVD with digital sound!
Rating:
Summary: Ford and Wayne do it again
Review: To many who look at John Wayne as a one dimentional jingoistic actor this is likely the first film I would show them to change their mind. It is a fine war movie with some great battle scenes, yet it never fails to take away from the viewer the message that war is a terrible thing. This film adaption of the Grierson's raid during the Vicksburg campaign gives us a close up look at the pain that war causes. Historical license it taken often Grierson the music maker becomes Marloe the engineer. Several battles are added to spice up the script, and the inclusion of the use of the Cadets harkens to a fameous battle a year later in Va. It also give us pleanty of good subplotting in the roles, both in the ranks particlarly Sergeant Major Kirby who is loads of fun, and among the officers. It also contains some classic lines between Holden as a doctor who is regular army but a doctor first and Wayne a commander who doesn't like war, doesn't like doctors but does what needs to be done. "...the coffee tastes better when the latrines are dug downstream. How do you like your coffee Col?" as usual the actors who I refer to as the "John Wayne Guild" do their usual good supporting jobs. In closing it is the interaction between Wayne, Towers and Holden, combined with the painting of war as something to be avoided that makes this movie a five stars classis vs just another John Wayne movie.
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Summary: Civil War Riders.
Review: Undoubtedly John Houston is one of the greatest film directors of all times. He had a special knack to imprint a galloping rhythm to his movies, most adequate virtue for making "The Horse Soldiers" (1959).
The film based on Harold Sinclair's historical novel of the same title recounts the foray of a Union's Brigade into Confederate territory.
In command of this column is Col. Marlowe and attached to his staff is regimental surgeon Maj. Kendall. Both men are strong headed and will clash since the very begging of the raid.
To add some more stress into the picture the detachment has to carry an unwilling and hostile Southern Lady.
The film contains some wonderful and emotive actions scenes. To be noted the charge of the Rebs into the town controlled by Marlowe's troop and the Military Academy's child-soldiers marching in line with unflinching decision.
The numerous cavalcades underlined by joyous marching songs are a pleasure to see.
John Wayne and William Holden put into action all their charisma and acting experience to flesh the two main characters. Constance Towers as Miss Hannah Hunter of Greenbriar display a very good acting piece; starting as a Country Lady trying to deceive her enemies and ending as a compromised acting nurse to the soldiers around her.
The rest of the cast is great in their supporting roles. Special mention is deserved by Hoot Gibson in his picturesque Sgt. Brown.
A great film to be enjoyed by general public and a special treat for Houston fans as me.
Reviewed by Max Yofre.
Rating:
Summary: Best ACW film ever!
Review: Well, other reviewers have practically said it all, except you can consider that film a ROAD MOVIE by the MASTER JOHN FORD. Loosely based on ACW Grierson's Raid and the novel "The Horse Soldiers" by Harold Sinclair (if interested try to get a copy of them, both the historical record and the novel are good on their own!). I have always found this film much underrated, is a long favorite of mine (and probably has all the battle scenes missing in "Gone with the Wind"), Ford at his usual masterful direction. For me it is the best ACW film ever (the plot uses every excuse to build a resum of the conflict from both sides point of view, not biased at all and without too much clichés). The inclusion of the cadets sequence (without doubt at Ford's sugestion) is based on the famous VMI charge in another historical action. If you liked the Cavalry Trilogy you would like this one (I never understood why with "Sergeant Rutledge" and "Comanche Autumn" we do not consider them the SIX FILMS about the cavalry). I have the chance to have the original soundtrack of the film on an old LP why it is not reissued in CD I will never know... one of the most stirring soundtracks ever!
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