The Horse Soldiers

John Wayne stars in this historical action adventure directed by John Ford. During the American Civil War, hardened Union soldier Colonel John Marlowe (Wayne) leads his cavalry brigade on a mission deep behind enemy lines to destroy a railroad and cut off vital supply lines. He is frequently at odds with his new doctor, Major Henry Kendall (William Holden), who is torn between his duty and the horrors of war. When the soldiers rest one night at a plantation, Marlowe is forced to bring Hannah Hunter (Constance Towers), the plantation's mistress, along with them on their mission to prevent her from revealing their plans to her Confederate allies, which further complicates an already fraught situation.