Fort Apache (2012)

This John Ford classic has all the requirements for a great film. While a bit sappy at times with the old army Irish types, Victor Mclaughlin got a second life with these films, there is still enough here to engage the intellect. Shirely Temple is interesting to see grown up. Her acting style certainly did not evolve much over the years.

What makes this film great are Fonda and Wayne, both playing roles opposite to their norm. Fonda is wonderfully arrogant and yet vulnerable at the same time. Wayne is humble and second fiddle for a change, he comes off well being the wiser, disgruntled subordinate. What really makes this film is the scenry an production quality. John Ford was painstakingly accurate with unifroms, equippment and gear. He provides a believeable image of army life, with all its pettiness and sense of honor. Everything is accurate down to the various bugle calls and the troop commands issued to the men. While there are obvious comparisons to Custer, what makes this film interesting is the sheer study of military incompetence. Fonda's character is desperate to make a name for himself, and he sacrefices his command in order to do so. The battle scenes are exciting to watch, even the old fashion carriage chase with the Indians running about is well done. In the end what is the message of this film? There probably isn't any exactly. Fonda's character creates a military disaster, pure and simple, yet we see that Wayne is willing to carry on this legacy of heroism to inspire the regiment in its continued campaigns against the hostiles. Here we see how myths are made from the most unlikely sources. A fine film all around, and probably the best of Ford's cavalry epics.

The western genre has been probably one of the most frequently used in Hollywood filmmaking , at least until fairly recent times. In every decade there have been countless mediocre efforts and a few that have come down to us as true classics of the genre, whether it be for their great action sequences, good character studies or spectacular scenery. John Ford's 1948 "Fort Apache" is I believe one that belongs in the later category boasting excellence in all the three areas mentioned. The first installment in Ford's deservedly classic cavalry trilogy "Fort Apache", is strong on interesting character studies while never sacrificing the exciting action element which makes for a thrilling western. The teaming of veterans John Wayne and Henry Fonda in characters that have personalites that are bound to collide makes for much of the fine dramatic meat of this story. The film is also a standout in this genre for presenting a sympathetic and dignified image of the Indian races depicted in the story which helps give the film a certain uniqueness for western efforts from this period in Hollywood history.

The conflict element central to this entire story is introduced very quickly when we see Col. Owen Thursday (Henry Fonda), reluctantly arriving at Fort Apache to take up command of this outpost against his will. He has with him his young daughter Philadelphia (Shirley Temple), and almost before he is settled into his new home he comes into opposition with the local Captain York (John Wayne). York has extensive knowledge of the region and by his fairness and respectful dealings has earned the trust of the Indian population on the reservation however he immediately clashes with the unbending and unrealistic views that Col. Thursday has about outpost discipline and more importantly in the handling of the native population. Good men like Capt. Collingwood (George O'Brien), find themselves relieved of their formerly held posts and Col. Thursday is soon even in conflict with his daughter when she begins a romance with the dashing young 2nd Lt. Michael O'Rourke (John Agar), a man who in Col. Thursday's belief is way below her social station in life. The simmering conflicts at the fort reach a head when it is learnt that the local Indian population have moved out of their agreed reservation and after Capt. York meets with the Indian leader Cochise (Miguel Inclan), and agrees to further peaceful talks, he finds his own reputation on the line when Col. Thursday refuses to be dictated to by the Indians and is prepared to use force if necessary to get them back on the reservation. When an agreement can't be reached even after the real reason why the Indians left the reservation is discovered revealing vast exploitation of the native population by greedy men at the outpost store Col. Thursday, used to military glory sees his opportunity for further praise in his uncompromising handling of the Indians who he regards simply as rebels despite their wish for peace. Insulting the Indian leaders despite their efforts to stay within the agreed treaty it then seems that war is inevitable. Disaster strikes when however when refusing Capt. York's sound advice on battle strategies in this region Col. Thursday leads a whole battalion into a terrible ambush which sees all of the men killed with he also becoming a victim of his own inability to understand both the Indians and his own men.

Westerns as a rule are not renowned for their strong character studies or examinations of Indian and white men's belief about living together however John Ford has achieved that with this excellent examination of all the conflicting attitudes that made up life in the early west frontier. The performances delivered by both Henry Fonda and John Wayne are among their best with Fonda excelling as the type of leader we love to hate, a man driven by his past achievements who is determined to follow those despite what others say. John Wayne working with his favourite director here again delivers a very appealing performance as the decent Captain who finds all his years of experience in warfare and importantly in developing the trust of the Indians coming to naught in the face of Capt. York's rigid set of beliefs. Both men square off against each other in a highly effective manner and add the main dramatic element to the story giving "Fort Apache", alot of its memorable quality. The supporting players are also first rate. "Fort Apache", provides us with a glimpse of the teenage Shirley Temple long after her reign as Hollywood's greatest child star and she provides the typical romantic element here teaming with real life future husband John Agar in his film debut. Pedro Armendariz, Victor McLaglen and especially Ward Bond in his touching performance as Sgt. Maj. O'Rourke all add their expertise to their individual scenes and help make "Fort Apache", a story rich with solid large and small characterisations. Of course being a John Ford western the visuals are of the greatest importance and Ford's favourite location of Monument Valley is well utilised in the story as a magnificent backdrop to the proceedings. The films many great action sequences that display some excellent stunt work also go a long way towards earning this film its classic status with the famous shoot out at the climax where Col. Thursday and his men perish being rarely equalled for excitment and tragedy.

Even if you are not a great western fan there is much to enjoy in "Fort Apache". The main characters are not cardboard cut outs and the main conflicts in the story between firstly the characters played by Henry Fonda and John Wayne and in the wider one between the white men and the Indians are not provided with easy solutions and always try to show both sides of the conflict. It is this lack of everything being depicted as black and white as is so often seen in westerns that makes "Fort Apache", such interesting viewing and which deservedly earns it the accolade of being a great classic of this genre, enjoy!

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This is a classic western , it features fine performance from the whole cast. Henry fonda is especially good and the duke does it right of course. Warner brothers released this blu ray from a decent print generally. There are a few scene with small scratches but overall this blu ray looks outstanding. The blu ray is a huge improvement over the dvd.

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A true John Ford classic. Some films are classed classic due to their age and people involved: this film actually deserves the monicker.

I won't dwell on the film as its the Blu ray I'm reviewing here!

First the transfer:

The transfer is excellent, rich blacks and monument valley looks stunning on a big screen TV: the best the film has ever looked. A worthy updated on the DVD which was pretty washed out.

The sound:

Nothing to write home about but it's clear and not full of hiss.

Extras:

A great documentary on John Ford and filming in Monument Valley which includes Fort Apache.

We could always do with more extras and behind the scenes but, all in all, as good a Blu ray release of a true classic as you could wish for.

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DVD newcomer "Fort Apache" (1948) looks great, with minimal wear on its crisp black-and-white images (from original nitrate elements) and bugle-brisk audio. The film, ironically, finds Henry Fonda playing the maddeningly hawkish cavalry commander against John Wayne's humanistic officer willing to risk all for peace and justice.

The (single) DVD has no documentary on the exciting and heartfelt film, a shame. It does include a 15-minute piece on Monument Valley, covering Ford's significant and seemingly beneficial role in the Indian reservation's history. The Navajo, paid good wages for their appearances, called him "Giant Soldier." "I've kissed more babies than a politician," Ford said.

"Part of his vision of the world was that we're all very small in the scheme of things," film historian Joseph McBride says. "I think (Monument Valley) gives a dimension of moral seriousness to his work that was intensified as he went along."

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