THE HORSE SOLDIERS (1959)

SHORT REVIEW: They don’t make movies like this anymore. Of course, that’s probably because everyone involved with this movie has been dead for twenty years. I have weak spot for both John Ford and John Wayne. This, while not the best for either man, is still a wonderful movie. Ford was a master and this is just another feather in his cap. This film is a unique look at the American Cavalry and The Civil War and offers some interesting scenes of the life of the horsemen. To see John Wayne and William Holden working off each other is such inspired casting. To have these two heavyweights working off one another is a true joy. Both actors enjoy some well-written and paced scenes. While Wayne does his usual job in consuming most of the attention, Holden manages to steal some of the spotlight from the legend. These two are a great mix and although their dialog is a tad rigid at times, the oil and water chemistry they have makes the picture Where Wayne and Holden shine, Constance Towers doesn’t quite work. It isn’t that Towers is a bad actress, she’s good. The issue, in my opinion, is that superior performers drown her out. Perhaps it’s not the performances but more an issue of presence. Overall, while this film has dated, it still holds many great scenes and is a pleasure to watch. If you have an affinity for action films and enjoy quality character work, this will be a good film for you. This is a very accessible movie that delivers on both levels. RELATED REVIEWS: Other John Wayne films The Quiet Man (1952) Stagecoach (1939) The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)