Stars:
Harry Carey,
Henry Fonda,
Shirley Temple,
Joanne Dru,
Maureen O'Hara,
Victor McLaglen,
Ben Johnson,
John Agar,
John Wayne
Director:
John Ford
Summary: Includes the three Westerns that comprise John Ford's Cavalry Trilogy - FORT APACHE, SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON and RIO GRANDE.
Includes the three Westerns that comprise John Ford's Cavalry Trilogy - FORT APACHE, SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON and RIO GRANDE. All three films star John Wayne.
FORT APACHE - In this, the first film of the trilogy, Lt. Col. Owen Thursday, a West Point-trained Civil War veteran, is sent to command the remote Arizona outpost of Fort Apache. An arrogant, by-the-book officer, he's annoyed at having drawn such a disreputable assignment. Despite the warnings of veteran Indian-fighter Capt. Kirby York, he dismisses the notion that a group of savages could possibly be of concern, especially to someone possessing his military prowess. Arrogant and obsessed with claiming the military honour that he believes is rightfully his, Thursday attempts to destroy the Apache chief Cochise after luring him across the border from Mexico. Ford explores the myth of the American hero in this complex study of the problems of command.
SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON - While contemplating his retirement, which is only a week away, Captain Nathan Brittles, a cavalry officer stationed in the Southwest is assigned to escort the wife and niece of his commanding officer, Major Mac Allshard, to the stagecoach stop at Sudros Wells. Obeying orders, Brittles receives word en route from a scout, Sergeant Tyree that a group of Arapaho Indian warriors is heading straight toward Sudros Wells. Part two of the trilogy.
RIO GRANDE - Kirby York is a colonel posted along the U.S./Mexico border where the Apache Indians are always a problem. When his son Jeff, whom he hasn't seen in more than a decade, arrives at the fort after flunking out of West Point, Yorke treats him coldly, warning the young man not to expect preferential treatment. Yorke's ex-wife, Kathleen appears, intending to persuade Jeff to leave the army. Yorke refuses to do the necessary paperwork to release his son, a decision seconded by Jeff, who has begun to adapt to army life and before Kathleen can regroup for another attempt, the fort is attacked by the Apache. Locked in a bloody Indian war, Yorke must fight to redeem his honour and save the love and lives of his broken family. RIO GRANDE completes the Cavalry trilogy.