Disapointment

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

I think I had read/heard somewhere that John Ford's favourite things to capture on camera were a man riding a horse and a couple dancing to music. These two things are present in abundance in 'Fort Apache'. There is a rhythmic similarity between the dance scenes and the horse riding scenes which maybe because of Ford's use of Richard Hageman's beautiful music. The film has absolutely breathtaking visuals when it comes to the outdoor scenes. When it comes to capturing the sight of a man riding a horse in the wide expansive desert of Monument Valley, John Ford is second to none. The moving camera capturing the running horses in this film, just like the case was in 'Stagecoach' is a sight to behold. Ford makes the white American cavalry officers look tiny and minute in this wide landscape which serves a thematic purpose similar to the opening shot of Werner Herzog's 'Aguirre, the Wrath of God' - it shows that these officers are completely out of their elements and somewhat insignificant in terms of having any effect in resolving the disputes against the Native Americans. When it comes to some films from this era of American cinema, especially the Westerns, I've come to realise that the viewer will have to expect some problematic racial politics. The portrayal and overt vilification of Native Americans in many of these films is tough to digest while watching them in the 21st century. But interestingly 'Fort Apache' actually is comparatively far more progressive than some of the other Westerns of this era that I have seen. I'm not saying it doesn't involve some questionable racial content, but at the same time it subverts a number of tropes and conventions. The Apaches are shown to be dangerous, but at the same time honorable people who have a code and a sense of morality. But for me the more significant surprise was the portrayal of Lt. Col. Owen Thursday played by Henry Fonda. At first it seems as if Thursday will be made to look like the honorable, hard and badass soldier. But over the course of the film, Ford, screenwriter Frank Nugent and Fonda deliberately make the Thursday more and more unlikable. He falls prey to his bloated ego, his foolish ignorance as well as a rigid and inflexible subservience to the established rules. For a film released in 1948, to show a U.S. Government officer being an absolute jerk and be far less honorable and trustworthy than the Apaches. Fonda is really good as Thursday. But I think John Wayne has to be given a mention too for giving a grounded and emotive performance as Capt. Kirby York who pretty much remains the voice of reason and empathy. I especially loved the ending to the film which(again acted brilliantly by Wayne) is rich with sarcasm. On one hand due to the upbeat music, it might lead one to think that it is supposed to be a patriotic ending honoring the army. But if Wayne's performance in the scene as well as the writing is examined closely, I think it becomes clear that the ending to the film is pro-soldiers instead of pro-army. The ending underlines how myths and legends can be perpetuated by pigments of fiction and convenient, 'necessary' lies.

Brilliant. Directed by John Ford, starring Henry Fonda and John Wayne - the quality is thus not surprising.Not your average western. Characters are developed, the Indians (and Cochise in particular) are multi-dimensional (and not necessarily the villains of the piece), and it is not simply a shoot-em-up. There is human drama, and even romance.Great script. Excellent performances from Henry Fonda and John Wayne. Beautiful setting and scenery.Excellent, timeless movie.

One more of John Ford's epic westerns. The young and ambitious, Lt. Col. Owen Thursday (Henry Fonda) is appointed to a small army outpost close to one of the Indian reserves. Though crestfallen at first on being posted far from action, he decides to make his mark nonetheless. In his zest to prove himself, he disregards the advice of veterans like Capt. York (John Wayne) and sets off on a suicidal mission to attack the Apache.Thursday is a man who has visions of glory but does not have the patience to get there. He is too proud to mingle with his subordinates, maintains a stately kind of relations with other veterans and in keeping with his manner, forbids his daughter's (Shirley Temple) romance with a young, eligible officer. He might follow the rules by the book and place great importance on formalities but he lacks leadership qualities.The other soldiers are a stark contrast to Lt. Col. Thursday. They may appear and behave rough but they know to obey their superior. They respect him in spite of his flaws and do not question when he literally orders them to their deaths.It is one of the few old Westerns that do not show the Indians as savages. They are all for peace and talks; it is Thursday's misguided aggression that forces them to defend themselves.An all round good movie. It takes its time in developing the characters; it is almost like knowing more and more about a person as you spend more time with them. Wayne is in familiar territory as a man who knows the West like the back of his palm. Fonda is not a bad guy but a head-strong fool who manages to do more harm than a traditional villain; a role he simply nails. Shirley Temple is no longer the little girl from the 30's but boy has she bloomed. She is pretty, vivacious and steals every moment of her screen-time.No more words, just watch it.

Henry Fonda plays a Custeresque lieutenant colonel who forces a conflict with the Apaches, against the warnings of cavalry captain John Wayne. The first of Ford and Wayne's cavalry trilogy. Many would argue it's the best. Beautiful location scenery that's wonderfully photographed. Ford's direction is brilliant, as it almost always was during this decade. Backing up Fonda and Wayne, who are both superb, is a fine stable of character actors, many of whom are Ford regulars. Also, John Agar in one of his best roles as well as a young adult Shirley Temple doing fine in her limited part. Slow-going for awhile but never dull. Fort Apache is an excellent, thought-provoking film that is definitely a feather in the cap for director Ford and his two stars.