The Horse Soldiers (1959)

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BACKGROUND

 

William Holden and John Wayne both received record breaking salaries for their work on The Horse Soldiers which was indicative of the ascendancy of A-list actors into high-level industry power brokers. The complexity of the negotiations and contracts that bogged down preparations for the film were enough to leave a bad taste in Ford’s mouth even before shooting began.  

 

The real tragedy of the film occurred when veteran stunt-man and long time friend and collaborator of Ford’s, Fred Kennedy, begged to be given a stunt to boost his salary despite his advanced age. Ford reluctantly gave in to his request which resulted in Kennedy suffering a broken neck while executing a simple horse-fall which he had done dozens of times before. Ford would have gladly paid Kennedy the extra money out of his own pocket if he had known what would occur and clearly regretted his decision for the rest of his life. The experience devastated Ford, causing him to lose his enthusiasm for the film and cut out the final celebratory scene. 

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PLOT SUMMARY

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A Union Army Colonel leads a battalion of soldiers behind enemy lines to destroy railroads and supplies during the civil war.

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