Fort Apache (1948)

John Wayne Western Film Fest Movie #9 (Please click the links to read my reviews of The Shootist, The Comancheros, True Grit, The Sons of Katie Elder, Rio Lobo, El Dorado, RioBravo, and Big Jake)

Synopsis: Anal-retentive, by-the-book Colonel single-handedly provokes war with hostile Native Americans. But first, A WALTZ!

Blurb From the VHS Jacket: “Colonel John Thursday (Henry Fonda) is an embittered man. Despite an excellent war record, he’s stuck with the command of Fort Apache, a remote southwest garrison. So Thursday comes up with a scheme to make his reputation as an Indian fighter. Captain York (John Wayne), a bootstrap veteran of many Indian campaigns, knows Thursday’s plan means disaster.”

What Did I Learn?: When you're negotiating with a hostile tribe, it's not a great idea to tell them you think they are "without honour."

You Might Like This Movie If: you only need to hear the word "Apache."

Really?: 1) Hold on - the Army's method of training cavalrymen was to introduce the recruit to a horse and say: "get on"? Did these guys receive any training in combat riding? 2) Somebody mentions that Lt. Colonel Thursday was once a General - why did he lose that rank? What happened? Come to think of it, how did Sergeant-Major O'Rourke lose his rank of Major? 3) I had a hard time believing Captain York wouldn't give Thursday an informal briefing about the Fort, and why he's headed for disaster.

Rating: The best parts of Fort Apache are the conflicts between Thursday and York - the ambitious, spit-and-polish superior officer versus the grizzled, and realistic captain. Unfortunately, the main storyline is downplayed, so the audience is treated to a whole lot of slapstick comedy from the Irish sergeants, too many fancy dress balls, and to a boring romance between Thursday's daughter (played by an older Shirley Temple) and a young officer. The result is a mish-mash that only occasionally works. 5.5/10 stars.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040369/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1