The Horse Soldiers [Blu-ray] [1959]

This is a review of the Region 2 DVD, released by 20th Century Fox in 2004. The sound quality of this DVD is fine, but the picture is really an insult. This is a film long-overdue a proper restoration and release on Blu-ray.‘The Horse Soldiers’, directed by John Ford, is sadly not one of his better known films, nor one of his more popular ones. Although it stars John Wayne, and is set in America in about 1863, it is not a Western, but a Civil War drama. It is based loosely on a real event, when a force of northern cavalry daringly infiltrated southern lines to destroy their essential supplies.John Wayne, as the commander of the raid, and William Holden as a military doctor attached to the unit, are superb and convincing in their respective roles. They spar and disagree throughout, both for honestly-held and believable reasons, bringing some relief from the tense action as the column advances into enemy territory. Constance Towers, the Southern Belle they encounter, is excellent, as she attempts to thwart them. In real life, she must have endured great discomfort during the filming.The film was shot largely in Louisiana and Mississippi, and the locations and sets are interesting. John Ford always uses landscape well in his films, and this is no exception. And the action builds most pleasingly to the two climaxes at the end. This is a well-paced film, which feels genuinely authentic. There is no hysteria, no unnecessary complication or side turning, just a good honest plot, nicely believable characters and a really satisfying ending. And that makes it a rare gem.

Many of John Wayne's films are mere caricatures. In this film, John Wayne is coaxed into acting, and he's not bad at it. The other cast members aren't bad either.I've seen the film now many times, and it is a cut above his other films.There was something wrong with the DVD, though, with the picture breaking up. So, returned for a refund.

The acting is fairly standard fare and you get to know the story line in the opening titles.An eventful journey to the very end and hangs together all the way. It runs through a full course of basic human emotions without too much melodrama, notable exceptions for example, when the Wayne character loses the plot in the saloon bar scene in newton station - can a man that large really be 'feeling his liquor' after just 2 shots?The relationship between Wayne and Tower and Wayne and Holden dissect in importance towards the end and the way the former is portrayed verges on the endearing - surely a rare Wayne moment.Makes some social and political comments - although I've never been quite sure if it was intended to question prevailing issues in the 1950s or just simply conservative reflections on the civil war.I've been watching this movie since about 10 years old - one of few movies that bares watching many times over across life changes.9 out of 10I'm still trying to find a copy of this movie with the scene at the rail station as the replacement Sargent is trying to get on the train but Wayne's men drag him off to return him to base. Any suggestions welcome.

Colonel John Marlowe (John Wayne) is asked to take his Union calvary troop deep into Confederate territory to destroy the railroad and depot at Newton Station. Much to Marlowe's chagrin, regimental surgeon Major Henry Kendall (William Holden) is also along for the mission. With both men completely at odds with each other as regards adherence to duty and the execution of war. Things are further complicated when the brigade rests at Greenbriar Plantation, because Miss Hannah Hunter (Constance Towers), the plantation's mistress, and her slave Lukey (Althea Gibson) eavesdrop on a staff meeting thus hearing the plans about the raid. To protect the mission, Marlowe is forced to take the two women with him.John Ford's venture into the American Civil War is adapted from Harold Sinclair's novel of the same name. The story is based around the true story of Grierson's Raid and the climatic Battle of Newton's Station, which was led by Colonel Benjamin Grierson who, along with his men, rode hundreds of miles behind enemy lines in April 1863 to blow up the railroad between Newton's Station and Vicksburg, Mississippi. Thus giving Confederate General John C. Pemberton a whole heap of problems.What is at first the most striking thing about The Horse Soldiers is the chemistry between Holden and Wayne, friends in real life they were and my how does it show here. It gives the film a real sense of believability, the characters may be at odds as the ideological conflict between the military and the medical professions shows its hand, but a respectful, almost friendly rivalry shines thru from the two icons of machismo. Tho often described as one of the lesser lights in the John Wayne/John Ford partnership, The Horse Soldiers contains all the stock features that make up the best of Ford's Oaters.The Duke, Holden and bright eyed Constance Towers are obviously well framed in gorgeous settings, William Clothier working his photography magic in Louisiana and in and around Natchez, Mississippi. The lead song is a rousing one as Stan Jones warbles 'I Left My Love,' and the piece is chocked full of interesting characters fleshed with Ford thematics. Respect, strength, a love of your country, all given an observational, and customary, sheen from the master director. Ford even takes time to vent his spleen at cowards, courtesy of an engrossing sequence involving Strother Martin, while a running theme of surgery, particularly the legs, gives the piece a dramatic and honest historical core. The battle scenes are as to be expected, handled with skill, with a poignant moment as Confederate Cadettes are sent out to fight by the besieged superiors being as sad and indicative of the War as it is important in the context of Ford's story telling.Off camera the shoot was not without problems, Ford was battling the bottle and was making everyones life a misery, particularly The Duke. Things were further darkened when Ford's friend, Fred Kennedy, a retired stuntman, asked for a job in the film on account of being broke financially. Reluctantly agreeing he allowed Kennedy to perform a basic stunt of falling off a horse. But tragically, Kennedy broke his neck during the stunt and was dead before reaching the hospital. Ford was shattered, closing down the location site and returning home. The final battle scenes were eventually finished at San Fernando Valley, from where Ford headed to Hawaii and hit the bottle big time. 7.5/10

I have always liked this film. I was put off buying a Blu-ray upgrade for many months because the reviews weren't that good.Anyway, I have bought it and I'm happy with quality, and also the fair price.Obviously it can't compare with the current fad for 2k and 4k restorations, but it is much better than my old DVD.

Based on a true story this is a well made and acted. Can be a bit corny for some as Wayne comes away with the usual clichés we expect from him but this is a good film. I have also been a fan of the "DUKE" since my childhood days.

Thanks for the delivery. A story about The Civil War: "Yankees (J. Wayne) v. Dixies". Maybe not one of his best, though the story is good. Almost every later Wayne-movie from the 1960s is better. The Wimbledon-winner (Althea Gibson from 57 & 58) plays servant.

Este blu-ray representa sin duda alguna una mejora de calidad y de imagen respecto al correspondiente DVD. Quizás se aprecie bastante grano en algunas escenas pero en este caso concreto el original se rodó con esa peculiaridad. La Metro podía haber digitalizado la película aplicando algunos de los horribles efectos para reducir el ruido y eliminar ese grano, pero lo ha respetado.Menos mal. Los colores son muy vivos y el sonido en su versión inglesa más que decente. La única pega de esta edición es otra vez la falta de extras. En esta ocasión se reduce al tráiler. De ahí que esta edición en blu-ray no sea de 5 estrellas.Por último, avisar a los interesados que las versiones alemana, italiana, inglesa y norteamericana que se pueden comprar en Amazon corresponden a la publicada por la MGM.Por el contrario, la edición española equivalente, Misión de audaces, la ha sacado una de estas empresas patrias que llevan varios años comprando los derechos de venta para España para después publicarlas en ediciones infames a evitar comprar a toda costa. Merece la pena pagar más por el producto original, como en el caso de esta película.

If you're a fan of John Wayne this film is a must that should be in your collection. It is a historical action film in which Wayne leads his Union cavalry unit in a foray deep behind Confederate lines during the US civil war. The film was directed by John Ford. & is based on an actual engagement which itself was noteworthy enough that it was studied in military colleges. The duke himself is in top form & is surrounded by a cast of veterans which includes William Holden & Constance Towers.The blue ray conversion is also great showcasing John Ford's talent as a director.

I love John Wayne movies but this one is a stretch. Starts well but just feels unfinished at the end, not surprising based on what sounded like a challenging production. Really doesn't feel like a John Ford movie either.The Blu-ray is an uneven affair, the sound is good not great but the image varies throughout, great in places but weak by blu-ray standards.

Another good western/war/slight romance, with John Wayne and William Holden for fans and collectors of this genre.(1959,color. no english subs.)

Classic John Wayne Cavalry movie.

Typical John Wayne propaganda stuff. Entertaining which is important. Good historical detail with some interesting characters.

i like movie & JOHN WAYNE

Que decir de esta película edición UK que viene en castellano nada de extras se ve muy bien ,. Han hecho una gran remasterizacion sonido 2.0 que se puede pedir más del año que se hizo la película otra obra maestra a mi gusto de Ford.

One of my favourite John Wayne films.

Although some of the story lines in his movies are the same they are still a joy to watch.

The story was about rebels about unions soldiers. It did not make one look bad, and the other look good. The soldiers were in a war, and had a job to do, and did it. Good quality supporting cast.

Really good movie when you remember that it is Loosely based on a true story

Another J Wayne movie one of his best.

What can you say it is John wayne always good.

A depiction, with typically Hollywood fanciful love interest, of the raid that U.S. Grant called "The bravest thing ever done". Good John Ford western - and as usual Ford does appear in a minor cameo role.