“In Australia, understandably, but also in England and in the U.S., this film was a huge hit on its original release. It was certainly the most elaborate sound film made in Australia to that date, and though dealing with the Anzacs' participation in World War I, it still had decided topicality in that it went into release just as the Australian forces were again fighting in the Middle East.... (Director Charles Chauvel) had more than a normal Australian enthusiasm for the subject since it was his uncle, Sir Harry Chauvel, who had commanded the huge cavalry force that fought in the Sinai campaign in World War I.... More than anything else, 40,000 Horsemen betrays Charles Chauvel's love of the Hollywood style.... Uncle Harry (if he survived at that point) might not have been too happy to find his famous campaign hoked up to Hollywood formula standards.... Handsomely made despite its occasional crudities.... The action is lively, the photography fine....” William K. Everson