She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)

October 22, 1949 (US) • Drama, Western • 104m

Overview

On the eve of retirement, Captain Nathan Brittles takes out a last patrol to stop an impending massive Indian attack. Encumbered by women who must be evacuated, Brittles finds his mission imperiled.

Director

Frank S. Nugent, Laurence Stallings, James Warner Bellah

Top Billed

John Wayne

Keywords

fort utah retirement woman between two men attack cavalry arizona territory sunset u.s. cavalry bar fight horse stampede retired army man native chief southwest desert american indian monument valley punched in the face

Where to watch

Free / Included

IndieFlix

IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel

Rent

Buy

Top Billed Cast

Francis Ford

Connelly - Fort Stark Suttlers Barman (uncredited)

Rudy Bowman

Pvt. John Smith - aka Rome Clay (uncredited)

Crew

Reviews

John Chard

⭐ 8/10

June 3, 2015

The army is always the same. The sun and the moon change, but the army knows no seasons.

The second instalment of the acclaimed John Ford cavalry trilogy had a lot to live up to after Fort Apache (1948). So it may not be too controversial to state that "Yellow Ribbon" doesn't quite achieve the potential promise that Fort Apache's foundation building had provided. However, here is still a mighty Western of many joys.

The lead theme here is the passing of time, of time and love lost, lest we forget indeed. These themes give the film a strong emotional heartbeat from which to work from - even if on proviso it's noted that elsewhere there is not much in the way of an adrenalin pumping action extravaganza. Accepting it as an affecting character piece is something of a requisite if you want to get the most out of the viewing experience, and of course simultaneously getting wrapped up in the gifted art of film making in the process.

John Wayne gives a top notch performance in what is obviously one of the first out and out serious roles that Ford gave him. His ageing Captain Nathan Brittles requires him to put in a very fallible human type of performance, something that he achieves in spades. He's a believable leader who is ruing the calling of time on his career in the service. Yet even Wayne's affecting turn is trumped by some of the most gorgeous cinematography you could wish to see from the 1940s.

Winton Hoch clashed with Ford on the shoot about various perfections (both parties equally to blame of course), but the final result is incredible. Witness a scene as Brittles visits his dead wife's grave, the backdrop is all purple and red, a storm is imminent, metaphorically and in reality. Has shooting in the desert ever been so colourfully lush? The locations are breath takingly brought to vivid life, Monument Valley in all its glory.

Picture leaves an indelible mark on the conscious for the art and performances (Joanne Dru, Ben Johnson, Victor McLaglen & Harry Carey Jr bring their "A" game), but temper that slightly for as a story it just about gets by for dramatic purpose. Yet of course John Ford knows his onions and structures it accordingly, bringing precision and a genuine love of the genre and the material to hand. 8/10

show less

CinemaSerf

⭐ 7/10

June 9, 2024

Approaching the end of his military career, "Capt. Brittles" (John Wayne) is charged with one final patrol whilst trying to reconcile two hormonal lieutenants who have the hots for the prim "Miss Dandridge" (Joanne Dru). One is from military gentry "Pennell" (Harry Carey Jr.) the other a more working man "Cohill" (John Agar) and she is having quite good fun playing the cat with two balls of wool. Just to compound his misfortunes, "Brittles" has t… read the rest.

Recommended Movies

The Guns of Navarone

Ravenous

Chuka

Only the Valiant

Status

Released

Original Language

Budget

$1,600,000

Revenue

$5,400,000

Loading…