Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
Review:
Another John Wayne western, where this time around he plays a cavalry colonel dealing with his son, whom he hasn’t seen in fifteen years, turning up as a trooper, and then his wife coming back to fetch the kid home. There are some nice scenes, some good explorations of the tensions after the American Civil War, but overall, the film is hardly memorable.
Random Observations:
Rio Grande at the IMDb
Conclusion of John Ford’s unofficial cavalry trilogy, following Fort Apache and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.
The film was made quickly and cheaply so that the studio would allow Ford to shoot his next film on location in Ireland and in colour and could finance that endeavour.
Tags: 1950, Alberto Morin, American Film, based on previously published material, Ben Johnson, Chill Wills, Claude Jarman Jr., english, Fort Apache, Fred Kennedy, Grant Withers, Harry Carey Jr., J. Carrol Naish, James Kevin McGuinness, James Warner Bellah, John Ford, John Wayne, Karolyn Grimes, Maureen O'Hara, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Peter Ortiz, Rio Grande, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Sons of the Pioneers, Stan Jones, Steve Pendleton, Victor McLaglen, Western
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Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Review:
John Wayne (at 41) played a 60-year old Cavalry Captain about to retire immediately after General Custer’s now infamous defeat. The American West seems threatened by the Natives and the Cavalry desperately tries to keep it safe for the civilians in this story which is incredibly boring and mainly consists of people riding around. Add to that a completely inappropriate comedic bar fight, a highly unrealistic climatic scene and annoyingly patriotic overtones delivered in the voice-over narration and you might end up with a bad film. But actually, the film is quite good, saved by the beautiful scenery shot in colour, that serves as perfect background for the musings about a man who has none nothing but the military retiring. Add some aspects of the integration of the Confederacy back into the Union and you actually get a pretty good film - if you can look past the hours spent just riding around.
Random Observations:
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon at the IMDb
Second part of John Ford’s Cavalry trilogy, following Fort Apache.
The film also has a romantic subplot, which doesn’t really add anything to the story, but gives Wayne another chance to shine as the wise and good old guy who the other soldiers look up to.
Tags: 1949, American Film, Arthur Shields, Ben Johnson, Chief John Big Tree, Chief Sky Eagle, english, Fort Apache, Frank S. Nugent, Fred Graham, George O'Brien, Harry Carey Jr., James Warner Bellah, Joanne Dru, John Agar, John Ford, John Wayne, Laurence Stallings, Michael Dugan, Mildred Natwick, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Noble Johnson, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Tom Tyler, Victor McLaglen, Western
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Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
Review:
A new commanding officer is sent to Fort Apache, which he sees as a demotion, and subsequently exasperates the other people there by his text-book approach that is not really helpful in dealing with the Apaches. This classic John Ford film spends most of its running time examining life on such a remote outpost of the US military, which is unusual, but after a while becomes quite boring. Apart from that, the story is a thinly disguised take on General Custer’s life with some great scenes and a great lead in Henry Fonda. If only the film wouldn’t drag throughout, it would be really great.
Random Observations:
Fort Apache at the IMDb
First instalment in John Ford unofficial Calvary Trilogy. The other two films will be reviewed by this publication in the near future.
The film is part of a (British) “John Wayne directed by John Ford” boxset, but it’s really a Henry Fonda film.
Considering the film was made in 1948, it is surprisingly realistic in its depiction of who was to blame for the trouble between the Native Americans and conquering Whites.
Feature film debut of John Agar! You have never heard of John Agar? Well, neither have I. But he was married to co-star Shirley Temple at the time, so clearly his star was on the rise.
Tags: 1948, American Film, Anna Lee, based on previously published material, Dick Foran, english, Fort Apache, Frank S. Nugent, George O'Brien, Grant Withers, Guy Kibbee, Hank Worden, Henry Fonda, Irene Rich, Jack Pennick, James Warner Bellah, John Agar, John Ford, John Wayne, Mae Marsh, Mary Gordon, Massacre, Miguel Inclán, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Movita, Pedro Armendáriz, Philip Kieffer, Ray Hyke, Shirley Temple, Victor McLaglen, Ward Bond, Western
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