Fort Apache (1948)

Director: John Ford
Starring: John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Shirley Temple

Synopsis:
A rigid and glory-hungry commanding officer clashes with a more level-headed subordinate amid the growing Apache threat.

Impressions:
The first entry of John Ford's Cavalry Trilogy, this really is a first-rate film. I love the character dynamics. Henry Fonda's Colonel Thursday is largely unlikable but nevertheless a layered and complex character. The closely knit community of the fort is really good. The four sergeants play out like a more appealing (to me, at least) version of Soldiers Three and Ward Bond's Sergeant Major O'Rourke is awesome. The brief exchange with Colonel Thursday about his son's appointment to West Point is really cool. John Wayne is of course solid as Captain York. I also liked the post-Civil War dynamic where you have former Confederates integrated in the unit and several soldiers dealing with being downgraded from their brevet ranks. The romance between the younger O'Rourke and Thusday's daughter is okay, not particularly obtrusive, thankfully. The third act is rather senseless, but that's entirely the point. Give this one a watch. It's worth it.

Rating:
Watch It