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Fort Apache (1948)

Western movie fans talk about Director John Ford’s “Cavalry Trilogy,” a trio of films that star the immortal John “Duke” Wayne as a cavalry officer. The three films are, Fort Apache, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, and Rio Grande. I’ve watched all the films countless times and I really can’t say why they call it a trilogy; Despite the fact that I can only see a connection in that John Wayne wore a blue cavalry uniform and rode a horse, and was directed by John Ford, each of the three films is well worth your time as an example of classic filmmaking at its best.

In Fort Apache, the first of the three films, we have Henry Fonda (Midway) taking center stage as Lieutenant Colonel Owen Thursday, an officer who exhibits the very worst characteristics of the type; an arrogant and disrespectful martinet who feels he has been placed upon too small a stage to exercise his considerable, in his estimation, talents.

The time is post-Civil War, and Lt. Col. Thursday, rather than being cashiered as many officers were, has been relegated to the backwater post of Fort Apache, somewhere in the middle of Indian Country. A widower, he is accompanied by his grown up daughter Philadelphia (Shirley Temple). His arrogance and desperation to prove his worth and restore his honor causes conflict with everybody in the command, from his adjutant on down.

Captain Kirby Yorke (John Wayne) is the second in command, and Fonda’s megalomaniacal performance as LTC Thursday overshadows him. But Wayne plays his necessarily supporting role in his ever-professional manner. Thursday gets his chance to reclaim his “honor” but not necessarily in the manner he expected, which adds a tasteful bit of irony to the otherwise fairly standard story. Perhaps my long-term dislike for Henry Fonda stems from this performance – it’s a corker. We could also talk about his daughter Jane, but I won’t go there.

The supporting cast consists of many of Ford’s regulars, with Ward Bond (Only the Valiant) and Victor McLaglen (Gunga Din), Pedro Armendariz (The Conqueror), Dick Foran, Hank Worden (The Searchers), as well as young John Agar (Sands of Iwo Jima) and former child star Shirley Temple. Each of the characters’ performances are memorable and the standard Ford situations (Irishness, family relations, young love, camaraderie, etc.) are well shot and provoke plenty of sentiment.

The direction, by John Ford, is masterful and in the expressionistic manner, like the best films noir. Tremendous dark cinematography is by Archie Stout and frequent Ford collaborator Bill Clothier, showing the big sky of the Monument Valley to great advantage.

The script is by Frank S. Nugent, from the book by James Warner Bellah. The view on the military is ambiguous with disdain and admiration combined, probably reflecting Ford’s own ambivalence about military service. It’s no secret that the character and exploits of LTC Thursday are loosely based on one LTC George Armstrong Custer.

The Universal DVD is presented in 1.33:1 (4x3) theatrical format, runs 125 minutes and is in restored black and white. Fort Apache is a thought provoking film that will be enjoyed by everybody, not just western fans.

More cavalry films you’ll enjoy:

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon – the second of the Ford Cavalry Trilogy

Only the Valiant – one of the finest cavalry films ever made

They Died With Their Boots On – my personal pick as the best of the best in cavalry films

Enjoy a good film tonight!

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening