Fort Dick

Fort Apache

Description

The soldiers at Fort Apache may disagree with the tactics of their glory-seeking new commander. But to a man, they're duty-bound to obey - even when it means almost certain disaster. John Wayne, Henry Fonda and many familiar supporting players from master director John Ford's "stock company" saddle up for the first film in the director's famed cavalry trilogy (She Wore a Yellow Ribbon and Rio Grande are the others). Roughhouse camaraderie, sentimental vignettes of frontier life, massive action sequences staged in Monument Valley - all are part of Fort Apache. So is Ford's exploration of the West's darker side. Themes of justice, heroism and honor that Ford would revisit in later Westerns are given rein in this moving, thought-provoking film that, even as it salutes a legend, gives reasons to question it.

John Ford's 1948 classic stars John Wayne as a Cavalry officer used to doing things a certain way out West at Fort Apache. Along comes a rigid, new commanding officer (Henry Fonda) who insists that everything on his watch be done by the book, including dealings with local Indians. The results are mixed: greater discipline at the fort, but increased hostilities with the natives. Ford deliberately leaves judgments about the wisdom of these changes ambiguous, but he also allows plenty of room in this wonderful film for the fullness of life among the soldiers and their families--community rituals, new romances--to blossom. Fonda, in an unusual role for him, is stern and formal as the new man in charge; Wayne is heroic as the rebellious second; Victor McLaglen provides comic relief; and Ward Bond is a paragon of sturdy and sentimental masculinity. All of this is set against the magnificent, poetic topography of Monument Valley. This is easily one of the greatest of American films. --Tom Keogh

Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-08-22
Summary: "Fort Apache"

This is another great classic John Wayne movie. I bought it for my John Wayne DVD collection. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves classic western, especially John Wayne.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-08-07
Summary: "Fort Apache-a good ol' western"

What's there not to like? John Wayne, the old west, fabulous scenery and a music score that will resonate in your head for weeks! Add a little bit of romance, a wild indian fight and you've got pure magic. Definitely one you want to own.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-07-16
Summary: "A stunning performance..."

...by Henry Fonda as a Custer-like commanding officer who is looking for glory in the wrong place. Stung by the army posting him in such a backwater outpost as Fort Apache, Fonda hits on the idea of taking on Cochese, who has abandonned his treaty due to the reprehensible treatment of his people at the hands of the Indian Bureau. Underestimating the grievances and ability of the Apaches, Fonda picks a fight and, well, the results are unfortunate.

This is one of Ford's more subtle westerns, with tremendous character development, and a sympathetic view of the plight of the Apaches. The black and white cinematography of Ford's famous Monument Valley is spectacular, and the score is effective in conveying the majesty of military ceremony, pomp and circumstance. The rest of the cast is fine. John Wayne gives a controlled performance as the disapproving second-in-command, Ward Bond is the brave and watchful father of newcomer John Agar, and Victor McLaglen, Dick Foran, and Pedro Armendariz are a hilarious trio of sergeants who really enjoy their liquor. Miguel Inclan makes an impressive Cochese who outwits Henry Fonda at every turn. The Irish theme woven through the film is charming, as is the teen-aged Shirley Temple (she dances with John Wayne!) who makes a sweet and appealing love interest along with her first husband John Agar. The intimate view of army outpost life is interesting, and contributes to the character development. The shoot 'em up stuff is where it belongs, but does not control the film until the end, where the audience sees the futility of battling the Apaches who have more than a compelling argument for being unhappy with their end of the bargain. A really splendid western and a fine film.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-05-30
Summary: "A hugely entertaining film, full of added interest"

This is the first of Ford's cavalry trilogy, thought by many to be the best. I have nothing to add to the prior excellent summaries of this movie, but perhaps can shed a bit of light on what makes it special from the point of view of movie history. The first point of interest is the stars. Ford did many several fine movies with Fonda, in particular Young Mr Lincoln, but gradually seemed to express a preference for Wayne - probably because he was more overtly heroic - closer to Ford's mythological ideal of the Great Westerner. Fonda's heroism was more understated, often more cerebral. But, here we have a different Fonda - a bitter, incompetent misfit promoted over the head of the much more qualified, but younger, Wayne. Both actors give their best and, although Fonda's talent is rarely questioned, never let it be said that Wayne could not act. He is superb in this trilogy, playing a range of ages brilliantly - the same character in Fort Apache and Rio Grande, and the more elderly Nathan Brittles in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. Wayne also manages to convince with his portrayal of a man who genuinely understands the plight of the Indians it is his job to police, and sympathises with them. This is, to my knowledge, Fonda's first foray into the role of the anti-hero - although fatally-flawed might be a more appropriate description. Nearly twenty years later he really made the transition in the splendid Once Upon a Time in the West.

Of equal interest in this movie, and a source of great aesthetic delight, is Ford's portrayal of Monument Valley as art. Taking advantage of black and white, he shows inumerable settings of different types of sky against carefully chosen geographical profiles that are simply stunningly beautiful. The more so, as they are used to emphasise the stark isolation of this conflict between the relentless development of the United States and the centuries-old right to roam of nomadic tribesmen.

Finally, another item of particular interest is that Fort Apache featured former rodeo star Ben Johnson as the riding stunt double for Henry Fonda. The horses pulling a wagon, with three men on it, stampeded. Johnson galloped after it and managed to pull it to a halt before anyone was injured. A grateful Ford promised Johnson some work for his bravery, and the quiet man from Oklahoma was anticipating a more secure few years as a stuntman. Instead, he was rewarded with a 7-year acting contract! Thus, was born the career of the inestimable Trooper Tyree; a character who, for me, gives Rio Grande and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon the edge over Fort Apache. If you want Tyree in chronological order, see Rio Grande first; not to mention dozens of other films that Johnson lifts above the ordinary.

I'll tell you what; why not buy all three of the trilogy? I'm not particularly a Western buff, but I love these movies. They are allegories for life; and anyone wanting to understand America could make no better start than with John Ford and his myths.

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Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2010-05-11
Summary: "Good western - but not a great classic"

Overall, Fort Apache is a good western. It includes several of the elements required of a Western - good cast with Henry Fonda and John Wayne as the leads, wonderful scenery, and a decent plot. Henry Ford does an excellent job in his role as the new Commander who drives everyone crazy with his staunch leadership style. John Wayne is always great as a Cavalry Officer, and the supporting cast is pretty good as well. John Ford, the great Western Director, does a nice job filming with great landscapes. I enjoyed the movie, but have two main problems with it. First, it does not have enough action. Too much time is spent focusing on life on the base, and not enough of the plot is focused on life in the field for the Calvary. Second, it is a little too long. Otherwise, Fort Apache is a fine Western worth watching.