She Wore a Yellow Ribbon poster

1949·104 min·Released

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

“John Ford's new and finest picture of the fighting cavalry!”

Drama
Western

On the eve of retirement, Captain Nathan Brittles takes out a last patrol to stop an impending massive Indian attack. Encumbered by women who must be evacuated, Brittles finds his mission imperiled.

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She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) Original Trailer [FHD]

Cast & Crew

John Wayne

John Wayne

Capt. Nathan Cutting Brittles

Joanne Dru

Joanne Dru

Olivia Dandridge

John Agar

John Agar

Lt. Flint Cohill

Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson

Sgt. Tyree

Harry Carey, Jr.

Harry Carey, Jr.

2nd Lt. Ross Pennell

Victor McLaglen

Victor McLaglen

First Sergeant Quincannon

Mildred Natwick

Mildred Natwick

Abby Allshard

George O'Brien

George O'Brien

Maj. Mac Allshard

Arthur Shields

Arthur Shields

Dr. O'Laughlin

Michael Dugan

Michael Dugan

Sgt. Hochbauer

Chief John Big Tree

Chief John Big Tree

Chief Pony That Walks

Fred Graham

Fred Graham

Sgt. Hench

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John Chard

Written on 6/3/2015

The army is always the same. The sun and the moon change, but the army knows no seasons. The second instalment of the acclaimed John Ford cavalry trilogy had a lot to live up to after Fort Apache (1948). So it may not be too controversial to state that "Yellow Ribbon" doesn't quite achieve the potential promise that Fort Apache's foundation building had provided. However, here is still a mighty Western of many joys. The lead theme here is the passing of time, of time and love lost, lest we forget indeed. These themes give the film a strong emotional heartbeat from which to work from - even if on proviso it's noted that elsewhere there is not much in the way of an adrenalin pumping action extravaganza. Accepting it as an affecting character piece is something of a requisite if you want to get the most out of the viewing experience, and of course simultaneously getting wrapped up in the gifted art of film making in the process. John Wayne gives a top notch performance in what is obviously one of the first out and out serious roles that Ford gave him. His ageing Captain Nathan Brittles requires him to put in a very fallible human type of performance, something that he achieves in spades. He's a believable leader who is ruing the calling of time on his career in the service. Yet even Wayne's affecting turn is trumped by some of the most gorgeous cinematography you could wish to see from the 1940s. Winton Hoch clashed with Ford on the shoot about various perfections (both parties equally to blame of course), but the final result is incredible. Witness a scene as Brittles visits his dead wife's grave, the backdrop is all purple and red, a storm is imminent, metaphorically and in reality. Has shooting in the desert ever been so colourfully lush? The locations are breath takingly brought to vivid life, Monument Valley in all its glory. Picture leaves an indelible mark on the conscious for the art and performances (Joanne Dru, Ben Johnson, Victor McLaglen & Harry Carey Jr bring their "A" game), but temper that slightly for as a story it just about gets by for dramatic purpose. Yet of course John Ford knows his onions and structures it accordingly, bringing precision and a genuine love of the genre and the material to hand. 8/10

CinemaSerf

Written on 6/9/2024

Approaching the end of his military career, "Capt. Brittles" (John Wayne) is charged with one final patrol whilst trying to reconcile two hormonal lieutenants who have the hots for the prim "Miss Dandridge" (Joanne Dru). One is from military gentry "Pennell" (Harry Carey Jr.) the other a more working man "Cohill" (John Agar) and she is having quite good fun playing the cat with two balls of wool. Just to compound his misfortunes, "Brittles" has to take this woman, and the major's feisty wife "Abby" (Mildred Natwick) on his tour too. Yikes, maybe the Apache would be a welcome relief from all these shenanigans. Perhaps not though, as it transpires that the Indians are very much on the warpath and it might not matter for very long for whom "Dandridge" wears her yellow ribbon. There's a solid cast here, as you'd expect from a John Ford who has pretty much assembled a team to follow his adventures through the genre with the Duke. Ben Johnson's confederate veteran "Tyree" as well as Victor McLaglen's mischievous top sergeant "Quincannon" and his cohort of fellow whiskey lovers all keep the film moving along entertainingly with plenty of action and just a little slapstick humour to raise a smile as Wayne continues to engagingly rule the roost.

Media

The Failed Arms Deal

The Failed Arms Deal

Brittle's Cavalry Encounter The Arapaho

Brittle's Cavalry Encounter The Arapaho

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) Original Trailer [FHD]

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) Original Trailer [FHD]

Graveside

Graveside