She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)

You won't be disappointed!

The greatest movie ever made..!

How sad is this?

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

News of General Custer's historic defeat at the Battle of the Little Bighorn has swept across the west and there is a feeling that another such victory for the Native Americans could set back US settlement of the West. One place to hear the news is Fort Starke where Captain Nathan Brittles is only six days from retirement. He is given an order to go out on patrol to deal with a combined Indian force that has left the reservation. He is also to escort the wife and niece, Olivia, of the commanding officer to the stage coach so they can return east. Things are further complicated by two young lieutenants both having feelings for Olivia.This classic western is a good example of the genre even if it does seem dated in some ways. John Wayne does a fine job as the Captain approaching the end of his career and Joanne Dru is likable as the spirited Olivia; it is not difficult to see what lieutenants Cohill and Pennell see in her. Some humour is provided by Victor McLaglen who plays Sergeant, Quincannon… although sometimes the character becomes more of a caricature of a drunken Irishman and the bar room brawl where several soldiers try to arrest him is just embarrassing. Monument Valley provides a great backdrop for the story. The finale was a pleasant surprise; I was expecting the 'savage' Indians would be gunned down by the 'heroic' US Cavalry but the Cavalry prevents an attack on their fort without any further deaths. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to fans of the genre; it may show its age but it is still a classic.

SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON is a central part of Ford's trilogy focused on the US cavalry. This is a film about pride, love and courage. Each of these properties is in a certain part of the film put to the test. Set design is again magnificent. The colors are vivid surreal. The director evokes the legendary soldiers and western plains. There are not many films that act like fresh. The film, which is an exciting, romantic, and at times even instructive. Emotion to duty is by far the strongest.Actors are skillfully selected. John Wayne as Captain Nathan Brittles, He is the picture of the ideal and legendary cavalryman. Duty, morality and obligations adorn this character. Konjic's natural environment, while the military rank is a way of expression. Of course, there is a girl who brings disorder in young lieutenants. One sergeant took care of a decent dose of humor. Two young lieutenants on exams. Professional and life tests.

*****Minor Spoiler***** I've seen this film many times over the years and only now did it really hit me how John Ford treasured the value of a single life. Other reviewers have already covered well John Wayne's acting and the awesome photography in Monument Valley. But think about the lives lost or wounded in the film. In the first action against the Indian warriors Capt. Brittles orders his men to "shoot high" and..no warriors are killed or wounded. In later actions one trooper is wounded and much is made of his subsequent operation and good prognosis. One trooper (the ex-Confederate officer) does die from his wounds and again, this is not treated lightly, either by ex-Confederate or ex-Union.Most films of this genre leave countless bodies all over the place. Not so this one and that's what I take away from the film. That Ford felt life was to be treasured, that it was rare and not to be wasted. Perhaps this comes from his wartime service? Even the stampeding of the Indian ponies results in no casualties..on either side. I think Ford wanted his audience to go away thinking there are better ways than war and the wasting of lives.

This may be a better movie than "Fort Apache".Here's what I liked:Undoubtedly one of Wayne's best career performances. At least as good as in "Red River". Ironic to see him playing a character 20 years older than himself, since he spent the next 15 years playing characters who were 10 to 20 years younger than himself. Thematically sound -- duty, aging, changing of the guard.Colorful Civil War references. Sergeant Tyree (Ben Johnson) is a former high ranking officer in the Confederate army.Ben Johnson is very good as the savvy scout.Monument Valley is stunning. Won an Oscar for cinematography.Fantastic stunt work as usual with the horses and wagons.Great example of John Ford's colorful, sentimental world of military fetish. Ford has a tendency to overdo the comic relief. He gets just about the right balance here. Victor McLaglen doing the heavy comic lifting again.Here's what kept it from being better:The plot is skimpy. They ride to the station to relieve a patrol and drop off two women at the stagecoach station. They come back. They run the Indians horses off. The end. The romantic subplot doesn't work. Joanne Dru looks good, but her character is annoying and gratuitous.There's virtually no heavy. The Indians are not well characterized.That's it. Really enjoyed this movie!! Tough to get eight stars from me!