Blutiger Befehl

I saw this movie and was pleasantly surprised. I didn't expect a "B-rate" movie to capture and keep my attention the way this one did. I happened to be skipping through channels when I saw the uniforms and cavalry and before I knew it, I had seen the whole movie. It's a good story about how a small group of soldiers went against the grain during a rough period in our country's history. I've seen Don Johnson in a lot of different roles throughout the years and I think this was one of his best roles. Its a simple storyline with a happy ending but I would definitely recommend anyone see it-especially if you are an animal lover.

You don't have to be a horse lover to enjoy this film, but it helps. Sensitive viewers may find some scenes hard to watch, particularly the killing of quite a few horses, but otherwise the action is generally mild. The overall feeling of this film is personal honor. It is about people standing up for what they believe is right and just, even at the cost of their own lives and reputations. This moral standpoint is conveyed, but not overdone. This is not a sweet or sappy film at all, but has restrained, masculine expression that I guess is appropriate for the cavalry. In my opinion it lacks any strong characterization, but this is the fault of the writers, not the actors. There is only one female character in the whole film, and I did not find her to be very believable, but the male leads are all appropriate and seem to fit this film. I enjoyed viewing "In Pursuit of Honor" and got wrapped up in it. It has a triumphant ending and leaves you feeling good, suggesting that even in the carnage and cruelty of war, there can be room for humanity.

This is the first film I have seen that accurately depicts the U.S. Army Horse Cavalry during this time period.

My father was a trooper in the cavalry during this time period, as an orderly to General Patton (then colonel), another cavalry man.

My father's stories reflected this closeness of a trooper and his horse.

The film was also accurate in uniforms, saddles, and tack, along with the handling of the horses.

Don Johnson's roll of the Sergeant was remarkable, one of his best performances.

I would recommend this film to anyone interested in a missed part of our history, and to anyone just wanting to see a very good movie.

I'm biased: I love horses; I love movies with and about horses. I've seen horse-related movies good, bad, & indifferent. But there was nothing bad or indifferent about In Pursuit of Honor. The first time I watched it, I cried like a baby and swore I'd never watch it again, it devastated me so. But it draws me back again and again, and I've watched the movie probably a dozen times. To my mind, In Pursuit of Honor is one of that rare breed: the perfect movie. The writing, filming, and acting all combine to create the kind of movie that, like a good book, you want to experience over and over again. And if nothing else, it showed me that Don Johnson is not the shallow, pretty face I'd always considered him; he gives a wonderfully restrained performance, as does Craig Sheffer. An entertaining, educational, historically accurate movie that my husband and I will enjoy at least another dozen times.

What may be seen by some viewers as just another Western horse chase is really a profound comment on management, military leadership, and courage as well as a very interesting historical antic dote. It dramatically portrays how differently things can look from different points in the chain of command. Gen. MacArthur has seen the threats to the U.S. from Europe and Asia, and he aims to modernize the Army. With an engineering background and the perspective of high command, he simply orders the excess cavalry horses destroyed.

Down on the Mexican border, this order seems absurd by soldiers who have grown to love horses. A courageous bunch led by an honor focused lieutenant and combat wise sergeant seizes the momentary opportunity to save most of the animals. Their superior, who is purely obedience focused, takes after this mutiny, which then becomes an international incident. Retired colonel Hardesty, who is smart enough to have retired to Tucson, and his journalist daughter feed take up the cause with ultimate success.

The story is apparently real, portrayal of the conflict is believable, the characters show their doubts and resolve, and the story is fascinating.