Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

"Never apologize, mister, it’s a sign of weakness." Capt. Nathan Brittles

Every American boy dreamed at least once of being in the Cavalry; the horse soldiers that fought during the Civil War and after in the settling of the West. Director John Ford recognized this yearning and made three films about the cavalry starring the immortal John Wayne.

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, the middle film of the trilogy, was preceded by Fort Apache and followed by Rio Grande. In my opinion, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon was the finest of the three and the high water mark of all cavalry films made to date.

Filmed in Technicolor and Panavision, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon was set in Ford’s beloved Monument Valley.

The Monument Valley, Utah became a trademark of Ford’s Western movies and makes a marvelous backdrop for the action. Never has a Western movie exploited the Big Sky any better than this film, with columns of men crossing the wide valley under an angry sky. Another scene shows Sgt. Tyree (Ben Johnson) galloping at breakneck speed across the lonesome valley trying to elude pursuing Indians.

John Wayne stars as Captain Nathan Brittles, a troop commander with six days left before retirement. He has been in the Army forty long years and really has no idea what he will do on the outside. He visits the grave of his beloved wife to share his thoughts with her (and the audience), typical of Ford’s magical ability to bring a screenplay to life.

Brittles' trusty sidekick is Sergeant Major Quincannon, an alcoholic Irishman deliciously portrayed by the always larger-than-life Victor McLaglen. Quincannon keeps his whiskey bottle hid in the Captain’s water cooler, thinking he doesn’t know! The sergeant has a couple more weeks to go until retirement also and before the end of the film, the captain finds a way to get him locked in the guardhouse so he can retire at his full rank. Another nice sentimental Ford touch.

The story concerns an Indian uprising and Captain Brittles’ last patrol. Assisting him are Lieutenants Cohill and Pennell, ably played by John Agar and Harry Carey, Jr., respectively. One of the big jobs assigned to the lieutenants is getting the commander’s family to safety. The fact that one of the two ladies is lovely Joanne Dru makes both men eager to volunteer. Each of them hopes that she will wear the yellow ribbon for him, the unmistakable sign that she loves him. When she tells the two lieutenants she is wearing it for Captain Brittles you can imagine the young men’s dismay!

The film is filled with touching and humorous sequences as well as bravery beyond the call of duty. The script is wonderful and probably would not have come across as well under a lesser director than John Ford, who shows here why he is considered by many the greatest director in history. Supporting cast is well-chosen and does not disappoint. Photography by Winton C. Hoch and editing by Jack Murray is crisp and fast moving. Music by Richard Hageman suits the action to a T. You’ll want to join the cavalry after watching this film!

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon has been recently restored and is available for viewing in all its Technicolor majesty. It is a must-see for fans of the Western genre, as are the other two Ford/Wayne cavalry films Fort Apache and Rio Grande.

Other fine Ford/Wayne collaborations are Stagecoach, The Searchers, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Discriminating viewers will enjoy all of these fine Westerns.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening