Today’s quick review: The Horse Soldiers. To help Union forces win the Siege of Vicksburg, Colonel John Marlowe (John Wayne) leads a cavalry battalion behind Confederate lines to destroy the railway at Newton Station, a crucial junction in the Rebel supply line. Along the way, he clashes with Major Henry Kendall (William Holden), the surgeon assigned to the unit, and Miss Hannah Hunter (Constance Towers), a civilian they have to take prisoner.
The Horse Soldiers is a historical war drama loosely based on an incident from the American Civil War. The movie follows a group of Union soldiers as they make their way through 300 miles of Confederate territory on a mission that could turn the tide of the war. The Horse Soldiers features engaging subject matter, tough moral choices, and enough action to give the journey a sense of danger. The result is a sound movie that lives up to its promises.
The Horse Soldiers is notable for its portrayal of war. Its tone is not as bleak as other war dramas, including some if its contemporaries, but it does not shy away from the brutal and unfair nature of war. Marlowe often has to prioritize his mission over what would be the humane choice in any other situation. The hard decisions he has to make are underscored by his running conflict with Kendall, a doctor with a very different perspective on war.
The Horse Soldiers does have a few shortcomings. The character of Hannah Hunter works better in theory than she does in practice. Her faux-genteel personality is grating, and she does not get enough time with Marlowe to establish a strong relationship with him. Meanwhile, the plot progresses well, but it suffers from some randomness. Not every incidient is woven into the story well, and a couple of them could have been cut without much loss.
Give The Horse Soldiers a shot if you are interested in war movies in general and the Civil War in particular. The tactical side of the movie makes it an interesting pick, while the moral dilemmas do a fair job of showing the ups and downs of war. There are more iconic movies in the genre, as well as films that give John Wayne a little more chance to shine. Even so, The Horse Soldiers has more than enough to keep the right audience engaged.
For a John Wayne Western about the cavalry, try Rio Grande. For a World War II movie about a dangerous push behind enemy lines, try A Bridge Too Far. For a naval drama about the relationship between a military officer and a doctor, try Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.
[7.1 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052902/). I give it a 7.0 for compelling subject matter and capable execution.