Style: Western
Director: John Ford
Starring: John Wayne, William Holden, Constance Towers
Working Time: 120 minutes
Synopsis: In the course of the Civil Conflict, Union Colonel John Marlowe (John Wayne) is tasked with main a brigade deep into Accomplice enemy territory to destroy a key rail provide hub. Regimental surgeon Main Henry Kendall (William Holden) is hooked up to Marlowe’s unit, and the 2 males instantly conflict. As soon as in Accomplice territory, Marlowe tangles with plantation proprietor Miss Hannah Hunter (Constance Towers), who exaggerates her hospitality with a view to support the enemy. She turns into Marlowe’s prisoner, additional complicating the mission.
What Works Effectively: This expansive western tackles a number of thorny wartime themes, usually with surprising sensitivity. The battle between hurting and therapeutic is exemplified by Wayne’s gruff soldier and Holden’s devoted drugs man, however Wayne additionally will get to disclose loads of ache when his troops are excelling at mayhem. Constance Towers matches the 2 males in a fancy position transitioning from overbearing hostess to spy after which love curiosity. Elsewhere examples of coronary heart, chivalry, and in-the-moment decision-making animate the accommodating plot (primarily based on actual occasions) of a harmful mission deep in enemy territory.
What Does Not Work As Effectively: The narrative suffers from episodic choppiness, exposing the dearth of a unifying theme past the plain chaotic brutality of conflict. The battle between Marlowe and Kendall is simply too apparent, and the troopers’ collective lack of ability to manage Hannah at important moments is only a drained plot system.
Key Quote:
Hannah (providing a plate of hen whereas revealing ample cleavage): Do you favor the leg… or the breast?
Marlowe: I’ve had fairly sufficient of each, thanks.
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