She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)

A CLASSC JOHN WAYNE VEHICLE

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is a 1949 western film directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne. The film was the second of Ford's trilogy of films focusing on the US Cavalry, the other two films being Fort Apache (1948) and Rio Grande (1950). With a budget of $1.6 million, the film was one of the most expensive westerns of the time, but became a major hit for RKO and remains a popular classic today.

Known for its breathtaking views of Monument Valley located on the southern border of Utah; the cinematographer, Winton Hoch, won the 1950 Academy Award for Best Color Cinematography. Ford and Hoch based much of the film's imagery on the paintings and sculptures of Frederic Remington.

Ford demonstrated a number of standard Cavalry procedures in horse management in this and other movies. Strict rotation between walk, trot, and leading the horses made them last as long as possible. They were still no match for the lightly burdened Indian horses for endurance, but US Cavalry horses were fed grain (when available), and this helped even the odds a bit.

The film is named after a song common in the U.S. military, "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon", which is still used today to keep marching cadence. It is a variant of the song "All Around My Hat".

On the verge of his retirement, the aging Cavalry Capt. Nathan Cutting Brittles (John Wayne) deals with a series of attacks by the Cheyenne following the defeat of George Armstrong Custer. Unwilling to see more lives needlessly taken, Brittles takes it upon himself to try to make peace with Chief Pony That Walks (Chief John Big Tree).



The movie's narrator references Pony Express rider's concerns over George Custer's defeat. Custer was killed in 1876, whereas the pony express made its last ride fifteen years earlier in 1861 after only a year of service.



Actor Role
John Wayne Capt. Nathan Cutting Brittles
Joanne Dru Olivia Dandridge
John Agar 1st Lt. Clint Cohill
Ben Johnson Sgt. Tyree
Harry Carey Jr. 2nd Lt. Ross Penell
Victor McLaglen Sgt. Quincannon
Mildred Natwick Abby Allshard ("Old Iron Pants"}
George O'Brien Maj. Mac Allshard
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
Noble Johnson Chief Red Shirt
November 25, 2008

The Perfect Western

As a rule I'm not a western fan, but this movie has it all- comedy, romance, adventure, drama. If you're looking for an all around fun movie, try this one. John Wayne plays a very different role than usual, and gives the romantic lead to handsome John Agar and Harry Carey, Jr. It has poignant moments, great comedy lines, and an occassional moment when your eyes are moist. (On a side note, I love some of the character's names- Flint Cohill, Tyree, Brome Clay, to name a few.) September 1, 2008

She wore a Yellow Ribbon

Okay, after watching Fort Apache and enjoying it I had to continue with the second in the "cavalry trilogy" by director John Ford. I can not believe that I went and bought another fifties western with again John Wayne as the star. But I did, and I think I am becoming addicted to these slow paced movies with "heroes" who have strong character and strong morals.
These horse soldiers of the past led a lonely and dangerous life and they are no longer portrayed in the movies of today. The location where the movie was filmed is a lonely place but has a stark beauty that comes across in the movie and grabs you. Especially the scenes of the clouds and sky. Reminded me of the saying: "Big Sky Country".
Again the Native Americans were portrayed "fifties style" compared to a modern movie such as "Dances With Wolves", however, for the time frame of the movie the portrayal was not bad.
I enjoyed the movie and John Wayne's portrayal as an aging cavalry officer who is due to retire but enjoys the life he leads very much, and I found his character very believable. The story is simply told, but there is a story. This is sometimes lacking in today's movies.
The music and the songs added to the pleasure of the movie. You should give this movie a chance, although more simplistic than the movies of today it is very enjoyable. It is a true classic!

August 28, 2008

Wayne-Ford fans

Being fans of John Wayne and John Ford and old enough to have seen most of their movies the first time around,we give them a very good rating. We have purchased many of the westerns that Wayne made. We like the simple plots of good over bad. A shame there is not more of these types of movies today. August 26, 2008

A Page from the Indian Wars

This western hails from 1876. News of Custer's recent massacre has spread everywhere. The Indian tribes are emboldened and, forgetting old quarrels, are uniting with each other. If successful in their systematic attacks, it is said, no stagecoach will cross the west again for another hundred years.

Only the US Cavalry can save the day, and John Wayne plays a cavalry captain. Women wear yellow ribbons to honor their boyfriends in the cavalry. There are jealousies among the men, some of it encouraged by the flirting of the women, as to who the individual yellow ribbons are for.

No western would be complete without a barroom brawl. In this one, a tough Irishman takes on and whips 7 or 8 assailants.

Captain Nathan Brittles (John Wayne) visits an elderly Indian chief who wants peace. They each smoke the peace pipe. But the young braves will hear nothing of peace.

So later that night, Captain Brittles, literally minutes from retirement from the US Cavalry, leads a daring surprise attack against a large group of Indians who are planning to attack the settlers. What will be the outcome?
May 25, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...