Product: Fort Apache (Color Enhanced) [VHS] (1948)
Rating: 5.0
Ambiguous Western classic
This is one of the three movies in the Cavalry Trilogy, directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne. The others: "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" and "Rio Grande." Each is a classic in its own way. Some say that "Fort Apache" is the best of these. While I'm not sure that I would agree, it is a compelling movie. There is considerable ambiguity to it, which makes this a more complex Western than many in its genre.First, the cast contains many in the stock company of Ford actors. The two central characters are Captain York (played by John Wayne) and Colonel Thursday (Henry Fonda). There are hints of Custer in the Thursday character, but that is too simplistic. Other actors of note: John Agar as the suitor to Shirley Temple (playing Thursday's daughter Philadelphia). Victor McLaglen playing (could you guess) an Irish sergeant. Just so, Ward Bond.Second, there is the locale. This is spectacularly filmed in Monument Valley, one of Ford's favorite venues for his Westerns. While the movie is filmed in black and white, I think that it may have more weight as a result. There is a grittiness here that fits the darker themes of the movie.Third, we see life portrayed in a Western fort after the Civil War. There are moments of cheer (the ball); there are moments of misery (long cavalry rides); there are moments of class divisions (Thursday cannot bear that his daughter is in love with a sergeant's son).Fourth, we see two very different visions for officers. York sees the evil inflicted upon Indians. While Thursday understands and has some sympathy for the native Americans, he also seeks a glorious victory. His better angel is sometimes compromised by the thirst for glory. Fonda is a hardnosed disciplinarian, by the book and this creates tensions with other officers and troops.All in all, this is a classic Western, and shows that this genre can produce some fine work if it moves away from stereotypes and tired plot lines. I never tire of watching the movies in the trilogy (and related movies such as "Hondo").