The color cinematography is magnificent, Wayne is excellent as the aging captain (his monologue at his wife's grave is very moving), Joanne Dru is cute in her tailored uniform, and Mildred Natwick as the Major's Lady (otherwise known as "Old Iron Pants") is wonderful. But McLaglen is even worse than usual, and the film has too damn many endings. I think Ford couldn't really decide what ending he wanted, so he threw them all in, hoping we wouldn't notice. I noticed. I bet you will too.

467

Most elegiac of all westerns, beautiful and subtle. Like its retiring cavalry officer, the film ages well.

The film is little more than a plain-footed entertainment. That assessment seems more damning than it is. The film is expert and buoyant and infused with a nice mix of wit and charm, all qualities that seemingly came naturally to Ford when he was more concerned with making something simply satisfying than a work of grave importance. Wayne hits nice subtle notes as a man trying to maintain his dignity as he lets go of the lifelong duty that's defined him.

The soundtrack is rousing in the worst way, the film has a truly nauseating patriotic stench what with its awful narration and boy that can only become a man in the cavalry, there's the terrible bar fight which was ridiculous and completely out of place, Victor Maclaglen was extremely annoying as Quincannon. Points for the really good images (except for the depths of Hell nighttime scenes), the amusing romance and the quite good retirement stuff, but other than that I found it rather dull.

#511

On the plus side the film has lovely technicolor cinematography and one of John Wayne's best performances (I adored that scene in the cemetery), both of which are able to carry the film a long way. On the other hand it's full of merely average Ford elements like the young love triangle, a climax that doesn't really feel like one, and a rather embarrassing Indian portrayal. It's too bad because when the movie is on, it's on.

A good one simply due to the names used alone-- Brittles and Quinncannon. Also enjoyable due to the public drunkeness.

A 93 if only (if only!) for the unforgettable Technicolor photography of the rust of Monument Valley, every possible hue of cloud and sky, and the reds and whites of Arapahoe warriors. Also an Irish comedy of manners and fisticuffs, and a break from Ford's dark side. Joanne and John so light and frothy by comparison to their characters in Hawks' Red River.

This may be a John Ford movie with an excellent cast, but we the audience are still being asked to cheer on genocide. Sorry, but if you're a 21st century civilized man, you just can't go for this. If you're even remotely tempted to throw spitballs at me and call me "politically correct" or whatever, go to the library and check out the miniseries "500 Nations"; it may have the Costner Disease, but it's a pretty damn good documentary about just how badly the Amerinds got fucked

# 415

Classic western.

The cavalrymen are brave and heroic, the women are tough but obedient, the Indians are savages (save the one who converts to Christianity, God bless him!), and the Irishman is a lovable drunk. The narrator is cheesily patriotic and the music is stirring in the most horrible way. However, I have to give it some credit: Wayne is not TOO much of a douchebag, the Technicolor is pleasant, and the ending was unexpected. So it isn't completely awful, but still not at all my cup of tea.

Cheesy and sentimental with some great technicolor imagery.

Technicolor goodness.

A poignant tale of an aging man near retirement. The scenes around giving up his command are especially well done. The film has some nice comic moments, primarily due to McLaglen, and the romance fits nicely. Best of all is Ford's simple way with the camera, lingering at appropriate moments of loss, of violence, of grandeur. As is typical with Ford, he deals with the Indians in a respectful, if distant manner. Wayne's offer of peace and the way the Cavalry wins testify to that. No genocide here.

The pictures sure are pretty. Everything else is OK but not particularly special, mostly predictable plot, stereotypical roles and a setting that makes it hard to really root for anyone.

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