She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

John Ford

Writers:

James Warner Bellah (story)
Frank S. Nugent (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

22 October 1949 (USA)

Genre:

Western

Tagline:

Wayne's greatest role as an Indian fighting Captain !

Plot:

Captain Nathan Brittles, on the eve of retirement, takes out a last patrol to stop an impending massive Indian attack...

Plot Keywords:

Attack | Retirement | Native American Chief | Watch | Last Stand

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 1 nomination

Cast

John Wayne	...	Capt. Nathan Cutting Brittles
Joanne Dru	...	Olivia Dandridge
John Agar	...	Lt. Flint Cohill
Ben Johnson	...	Sgt. Tyree
Harry Carey Jr.	...	2nd Lt. Ross Pennell
Victor McLaglen	...	Top Sgt. Quincannon
Mildred Natwick	...	Abby Allshard aka Old Iron Pants
George O'Brien	...	Major Mac Allshard, Commanding Officer Fort Starke
Arthur Shields	...	Dr. O'Laughlin
Michael Dugan	...	Sgt. Hochbauer
Chief John Big Tree	...	Chief Pony That Walks
Fred Graham	...	Sgt. Hench
Chief Sky Eagle	...	Chief Sky Eagle
Tom Tyler	...	Cpl. Mike Quayne, Leader of Paradise River Patrol
Noble Johnson	...	Chief Red Shirt

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | West Germany:12 (f) | Finland:K-3 (new rating: 2001) | France:U | Norway:A | Canada:PG (video rating) | Finland:K-12 | Germany:12 | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:Approved (certificate #13509)

Filming Locations:

Kanab Movie Fort, Kanab, Utah, USA

Company:

Argosy Pictures

Trivia:

John Ford decided to cast John Wayne as Captain Nathan Brittles after seeing his performance as Thomas Dunson in Red River (1948).

Goofs:

Continuity: Prior to leaving Fort Stock on his last patrol, Captain Brittles writes an objection to having to take a wagon on the mission. He hands the written complaint to Major Allshard, who in turn hands it to Sgt. Hochbauer, who then reads the report up side down.

Quotes:

Olivia Dandridge: I'm sorry I made such a fool of myself at the gate this morning.
Captain Nathan Brittles: You made a fool out of a couple of young lieutenants. That's never against Army regulations.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in A Turning of the Earth: John Ford, John Wayne and the Searchers (1999)

Never apologize, it's a sign of weakness.

Like "My Darling Clementine", Ford used the name of a song and even more than in Clementine, he deviated from the pattern of a standard western. Although the basic structure is a story of war with Indians, there is more focus on the people, which are the essence of this great film. Joanne Dru is the beautiful niece of the commanding officer and she thrives on her power of seduction. When she wears the yellow ribbon, both John Agar and Harry Carey Jr hope it is for them. John Wayne is a captain who is going to retire, he is the one who knows it all, and his relationship with Ben Johnson, an ex confederate, is a model of human respect. Victor McLaglen is the strong,loyal Irishman who loves to fight and drink. There are some incredibly beautiful shots of Monument Valley in great color.When Joanne Dru at a certain moment feels guilty about all the trouble she caused and says to Wayne she is sorry, he tells her not to apologize for it is a sign of weakness, and considering all the excitement and joy she brought to the cavalry, he is certainly right.