Fort Apache
John Ford's masterpiece on the frontier!
The soldiers at Fort Apache may disagree with the tactics of their glory-seeking new commander. But to a man, they're duty-bound to obey - even when it means almost certain disaster.
John Wayne, Henry Fonda and many familiar supporting players from master director John Ford's "stock company" saddle up for the first film in the director's famed cavalry trilogy (She Wore a Yellow Ribbon and Rio Grande are the others). Roughhouse camaraderie, sentimental vignettes of frontier life, massive action sequences staged in Monument Valley - all are part of Fort Apache. So is Ford's exploration of the West's darker side. Themes of justice, heroism and honor that Ford would revisit in later Westerns are given rein in this moving, thought-provoking film that, even as it salutes a legend, gives reasons to question it.
Member Reviews
Vastly over-rated (by me) - AKBGA
I remember liking this one, but realized when I rewatched it last week that is was just ...boring. It took 44 excruciating minutes to set the scene for the basic story, and while Victor McLaglen and his fellow character actors are charming, I had expected a little more John Wayne. Having Shirley Temple as a 20 year old leading lady, didn't add much to the charm either. Henry Fonda did a convincing job of playing a by-the-rules prig, but John Wayne had less air time than most of the character actors.
If you are a fan of black and white nature photography, this might be worthwhile, but as a Western, or even a John Wayne film, it was, at least for me, a waste of time. There are much better Westerns, and certainly more entertaining John Wayne movies out there.Not Vintage Ford/Wayne, but Still Fun - MovieProf
John Ford’s 1948 cavalry-themed Western has an impressive cast, fantastic locales, and intense action scenes. It is a good film, but not his best Western, by any stretch.
Starring Henry Fonda as Lt. Col. Owen Thursday and John Wayne as Capt. Kirby York, the film chronicles Thursday’s arrival at Fort Apache in the American territory of Arizona. Thursday, an arrogant, decorated war veteran, is not impressed with the assignment at the little, out-of-the-way fort, and makes his feelings known immediately upon arrival. The men are equally disappointed with the colonel, as it was their belief that York would succeed as the next commander of the fort. York takes the slight in good stride, however, and despite Thursday’s gruff and frustrating demeanour, the captain finds a way to work alongside his new commander.
This is only one of the many plotlines in the film: Thursday’s own daughter Philadelphia (Shirley Temple) croons for Lt. Michael Shannon O'Rourke (John Agar) in the other major plot element. In fact, two stars were married to each other at the time; the marriage was dissolved only two years later.
Monument Valley, in the state of Utah, often serves as the backdrop of Ford’s Westerns, and it is no surprise that it is evident in all its splendour here in this film.
This is the first of Ford’s famous “cavalry trilogy” films: “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” (1949) and “Rio Grande” (1950) followed—the final film being perhaps the best of the lot.
This is an entertaining enough film, but far too much time is spent introducing the characters; the slapstick routines from the recruits becomes tedious after a while, and Wayne himself is far less prominent for the first hour or so than he should be; for a while, this is clearly Fonda’s film, even though Wayne has top billing. Fonda is the better actor for sure, but Wayne is the one we all want to see.Fort Apache - Desdichata
Ford Apache was the first of John Ford's cavalry trilogy, which also included She Wore A Yellow Ribbon and Rio Grand. This movie is the weakest of he three with more time spent watching the officers dancing than anything else. Henry Fonda plays the commander of the fort Owen Thursday who is unhappy with his posting. His arrogance and hatred of the Indians puts him at odds with John Wayne’s character, Kirby York. The movie crawls along at a snail’s pace and the plot is something you would expect from a B rated western and not a movie by John Ford. Forget this turkey and watch She Wore A Yellow Ribbon instead.
Member Reviews
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Vastly over-rated (by me) - AKBGA
I remember liking this one, but realized when I rewatched it last week that is was just ...boring. It took 44 excruciating minutes to set the scene for the basic story, and while Victor McLaglen and his fellow character actors are charming, I had expected ...Not Vintage Ford/Wayne, but Still Fun - MovieProf
John Ford’s 1948 cavalry-themed Western has an impressive cast, fantastic locales, and intense action scenes. It is a good film, but not his best Western, by any stretch.
Starring Henry Fonda as Lt. Col. Owen Thursday and John Wayne as Capt. Kirby ...Fort Apache - Desdichata
Ford Apache was the first of John Ford's cavalry trilogy, which also included She Wore A Yellow Ribbon and Rio Grand. This movie is the weakest of he three with more time spent watching the officers dancing than anything else. Henry Fonda plays the commander ...