John Ford never claimed credit for it. He transformed the western, from a simple formula of good guy vs. bad guy to something more complicated. He gave us a better depiction of American Indians, and wasn’t afraid to criticize government policy regarding them. Ford made the cavalry trilogy with John Wayne between 1948 and 1950. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is the second film in the trilogy, and was filmed in color. It was the best of the three films. The hero of the films was John Wayne. He became a true movie star after the trilogy.
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon concerns the final days of retiring captain, Nathan Brittles, (John Wayne). He is hoping to spend his final days relaxing. It is not to be. Custer has been killed, along with his men, at the Little Bighorn. The news is received at the fort. The other disturbing news is that the Indian nations are rising up. Brittles’ commanding officer, Major Mac Allard (George O’Brien), has requested that Brittles evacuate the ladies,Abby Allard, (Mildred Natwick) and Olivia Dandridge,( Joanne Dru), his niece. This is done with great reluctance by Captain Brittles.
During the journey, the two Lts., Flint Cohill, (John Agar) and Ross Pernell, (Harry Carey Jr.) fall for Olivia. She is wearing the ribbon of the film’s title around her neck. This indicates that she has a beau. She just won’t say which of the two officers has captured her heart. This causes friction among the two, ending with them fighting over her. This happens after the troop has buried two soldiers, who were killed in an Indian raid. Brittles sees this and unleashes his anger at the men, breaking up the fight. He has also given Olivia a lecture.
Sgt. Tyree, (Ben Johnson), on a scouting mission, encounters a band of Indians which he escapes, through incredible horsemanship. This was done by the actor, who was an excellent horseman. This is one of the best scenes in the movie. It is determined by Brittles that it is too dangerous to continue, and the troop heads back to the fort.
After settling in, it is time for Captain Nathan Brittles to officially retire. He is given a watch as a gift from everyone in the troop, as a token of their respect. This brings a tear to this hardened war veteran’s eye. He then departs, leaving Lt. Cohill in command of the troops, wishing him well. Along the way Brittles visits an old friend. That person is Chief Pony That Walks, (Chief John Big Tree). They discuss old times. The chief suggests that he and Brittles hunt buffalo together. Brittles says he is trying to get the chief to stop the talk of war. The chief says the young won’t listen, and there will be many warriors killed and many empty lodges. The captain rides away, frustrated and goes off to seek his destiny, which will link him back to the army, in a different way.
This movie gives a gritty depiction of life on the plains as a cavalry officer. It is one of John Wayne’s finest films. He plays an officer in his sixties, who is war weary and has lost his family. They are buried outside the fort, and he visits his wife’s grave daily. He is giving her the report about the man they both knew, Custer. His moment with his wife is interrupted by the appearance of Olivia. She has brought flowers to put on his wife’s grave. It touches Brittles deeply. He becomes a father figure to her throughout the film. John Wayne and Joanne Dru had previously appeared together in Red River. Their characters they play in this movie are more likable. Olivia also has a maternal figure in Abby Allshard. Mildred Natwick is great helping a survivor of the Indian raid get through surgery. She sings the title song to him. Natwick’s character also talks about the harsh reality of army life. She says she planted several gardens, but was never able to see them bloom.
The movie was adapted by Frank S. Nugent and Laurence Stallings, from stories by James Warner Bellah. Nugent was formerly a film critic who wrote scathing reviews. He ended up in Hollywood working as a script consultant, to keep keep him from attacking studio releases. He later ended up writing scripts, many for John Ford. He also won awards for his writing. It was quality writing like this that helped Ford become a legendary director
John Ford admitted that he didn’t like making westerns. This statement puzzles many critics. He does hold the record for most oscars won by a director. None of those movies were westerns. That might explain Ford’s statement. His work on She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is outstanding. He again filmed on location in Monument Valley. This was another of the director’s innovations; location shooting. Westerns were normally shot on backlots or locations that were close. The shots are beautiful. He shows an approaching thunderstorm, and a sunset. One of the great shots is when the cavalry troop is stopped, and shown from a distance. The scenes of Ben Johnson on horseback are exceptional. All of these scenes were possible because of John Ford’s collaboration with Winton C. Hoch. An Oscar was awarded to him for his cinematography.
This movie wasn’t all seriousness. Ford’s fellow Irishman, Victor Mclagen, lends comic relief, as Top Sgt. Quincannon. He is the hard fighting and hard drinking cavalry man. He is good friends with Brittles, who always checks his breath for liquor. A humorous scene is when Brittles gives him his suit to wear. It doesn’t fit. The captain knows Quincannon is also retiring and wants to give him the look of a civilian. Brittles last command is to lock up his friend, because he has been drinking on duty. Quincannon puts up a fight, and only obliges when marched to jail by Abby Allshard. The fight scene was fitting for McLagen. He was a champion boxer in Ireland, before taking up acting.
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is a movie that anyone should like. This is the charm of Ford’s westerns. He gives the very human side of the west. It doesn’t have the dark side of Fort Apache. The soldiers come together, and some fought on the losing side of the civil war. They all have a brotherhood, and they deeply admire and respect Captain Brittles. This is especially true of Sgt. Tyree. He was a captain in the Confederacy, and sees one of his former soldiers address him as captain, before he dies. He isn’t sure what to say and Brittles says answer him. The movie also gives a positive light on the Indians, highlighting Brittles friendship with the chief. Brittles has deep respect for the Indians, and doesn’t see them as threatening. It is a departure from many standard westerns, and must be appreciated for that.