She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

Monument Valley never looked better. The stormclouds are stunning, even if the fake lightning is not. And the sunsets! Only Technicolor can capture the colors with such brilliance!

While I prefer "Rio Grande" and the lamentably-not-on-DVD-yet "Fort Apache", "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" plays more as a quiet homage to the cavalry than the actionfests of the other two films. Not that this film is sparse on action! However, the focus here is most definitely on the honor and wisdom of the old guard.

As usual, Ford has many subtle threads woven in to the plot of the film that enhance the story with backstories that are only hinted at. The most notable of these is the former Confederate soldiers, now part of the U.S. Cavalry. Their honor is intact, and they are still true to their ideals, despite wearing the uniform of the Yankee. There is, we know, much more to their story, but we see just what we need to. Any more, and the real story would get lost, the focus moved to the wrong place. How many modern directors make the mistake of letting this happen again and again and again? Too many, for sure.

Some people have complained that John Wanye was a lousy actor, which I've always chalked up to a refusal to recognize talent in a celebrity simply through differences in personal taste. Like "The Searchers", "Red River", "The Horse Soldiers" and "The Sands of Iwo Jima" (also starring the late John Agar), there are solid moments in this film when DUKE delivers. Just look as he "gives his report" to his wife and children, when he writes out his protest to his commanding officer, and again, when he gets the memento of the silver watch from his troopers. The viewer's taste notwithstanding, it cannot be denied that DUKE could act.

The usual excellent Ford supporting players abound. Ben Johnson, Arthur Shields, Harry Carey Jr., and of course, the lovable Victor McLaglen (yet again playing a man named Quincannon), are all on hand. Paul Fix has a cameo as a gun-runner.

Two real-life Indian chiefs also appear. Chief John Big Tree appeared in several westerns (including "The Big Trail" and "Stagecoach", both with The DUKE), and is famous for being the original model for artist James Fraser when he crafted the indian head nickel. Chief Sky Eagle cameos in his only film appearance.

A touching and poignant western, it is a must see for fans of Ford, The DUKE, The U.S. Calvalry, or the Old West.

And, incidentally, this film was not shot in a widescreen format. It was shot in a 35mm, spherical process, with an aspect ratio of 1.37:1. In other words, it will show about the correct size when displayed on your standard TV screen.


So you think John Wayne is a lousy actor?   July 3, 2000
Candace Scott (Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

Then think again. "She Wore a Yelloe Ribbon" is one of the Duke's greatest and most subtle performances. His interplay with the masterful Victor McLaglen is memorable and oftentimes hilarious. In this movie, Wayne fully understands the emotions and complexities of his character Nathan Brittles, the retiring cavalry leader.

One of the greatest scenes that John Wayne ever played is when the troop gives him a gold watch upon his retirement. As he slowly removes his spectacles, wipes them off and then reads the sentiment, you really see that Wayne may not have had the greatest range of any actor, but he was a great actor in the right role. His characterization of Captain Nathan Brittles is near the top of the list in all-time Duke performances.

I've seen this movie 30 times or more and never weary of it. You always see something new each time you view it. There is humor, pathos and action here and as always, John Ford's masterful direction. A must see!


No real high drama, very little conflict, unlikely story. Good song though!   June 12, 2006
Linda Linguvic (New York City)
13 out of 29 found this review helpful

I'd never seen this 1949 film. And there it was, beckoning me from the shelf of the New York Public Library. There are some urban myths about John Wayne but I don't remember any of his films.

So, hey, a long weekend was coming up. I thought I might give it a try.

This story is about the U.S. Cavalry shortly after the Civil War. General Custer and his men have just been slaughtered. The Indians are uprising. John Wayne, a gray-haired widower who visits his wife's grave regularly, is in command of a fort in the territory. In less than a week he will be forced into retirement. A romantic triangle exists between Joanne Dru and two of the enlisted men. She's visiting the fort but because danger is imminent, she and her aunt have to be escorted to where she can get a stagecoach. So she goes out on patrol with the men.

I kept waiting for something to happen. There was no real high drama. Very little conflict. John Wayne becomes the hero because he stops an Indian war by chasing away their horses. Everything seems very unlikely. And silly. It was hard to keep watching because I was totally bored. I guess John Wayne's performance was all right. But I judge good performances on the subtlety of emotions displayed by the actors. And John Wayne's performance was completely one-dimensional.

I've see old movies where the essentials of a good story are well told. But, aside from the song, "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon", which has a catchy melody, this film just doesn't even make the playing field in my list of recommendations.

Don't waste your time with this one. Just forgetaboutit!