Rating: 
Summary: Last of the "U.S. Cavalry" Trilogy
Review: I'd say 4-1/2 stars. Why? I watched the "trilogy" one after the other and by now a bit of surrealism had taken over. That's to director John Ford's advantage. (Ever notice there aren't many closeups in this movie?) Of the 3, this has the slightest story, but let's not quibble; John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Victor McLaglen, Ben Johnson are all here in their inimitable glory. As is Monument Valley. Thanks, folks.
Rating:
Summary: Ford at his best
Review: John Ford's treatment of the American Army is without peer. He looks at the role of the cavalry and presents an exceptional portrayal of life in this branch of the service in the 1870s. Rio Grande, the last of three pictures dealing with the cavalry made in the 1940s, is the high point of this series. John Ford has a cast of charecters that is hard to beat, starting with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara and moving on to the standard issue cast of supporting charecters. Ford also examines the issues of why the Cavalry is where it is and does an excellent job there too. This is the Army not on the edge of civilization, but beyond it as was known in the 1870s. Even on the best of days, privation was there at these small posts. You also see family life to a degree not seen in other films. I mean the family life of the soldiers, not the hero. The opening scenes with the troop coming back into the post and the wives gathered by the gate to see if their husband is returning upright or not, and then those who find thier husbnads on stretchers walking along with them. This to me, sets the tone of the movie. One of the most moving scenes I felt was of a corporal saying goodbye to his wife as the families are evacuated and making sure she has enough money and later this same man wants to be with his wife when her body is found. He asks permission to go to her but Wayne denies it and explains why. The emotion is palpable and heartfelt. It is a scene that Ford works to perfection without being overly emotional and exploiting the moment. The outdoor scenes are excellent and in keeping with Ford's love of vistas. This under rated film is actually a classic in it's treatment of the whole fabric of Army life in the west, the privation, the boredom and terror, the dangers and simple pleasures. This film hs it all and is the better for it.
Rating:
Summary: Great film!
Review: Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne definitly have great chemistry in this film, and are a very romantic couple. It's well worth seeing, adventure, romance, and drama.
Rating:
Summary: Great film!
Review: Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne definitly have great chemistry in this film, and are a very romantic couple. It's well worth seeing, adventure, romance, and drama.
Rating: 
Summary: Belongs in any filmmaker's library
Review: Often referred to as the warmup to "The Quiet Man," this film contains some of Ford's best moments. The wordless opening sequence, undergirded by Victor Young's simple, elegant score, is as good as movie making gets, then or now.
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular stunt riding
Review: Okay, the story is a basic cowboy-and-Indian potboiler. But the stunt riding is unparalleled, and the camera work is incredible. This movie is worth buying and watching just to see the one scene in which Victor McLaglen prompts his recruits to ride "after the manner of the ancient Romans." This and "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" contain scenes of horsemanship that all the special effects of modern movies could never top.
Rating:
Summary: THE TRILOGY'S SUNSET RIDE
Review: RIO GRANDE nicely finishes off the John Ford Cavalry Trilogy. While not as intense as FORT APACHE, or touching as SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON, RIO GRANDE earns its stripes with the trademarks of the trilogy: luminous direction, straight forward story telling and solid work from The Duke, Maureen O'Hara and of course, Victor McLaglen, who steels the first 20 minutes of the film. "Welcome home, darling," he bows to O'Hara as she's escorted into the fort by The Duke, to which she replies: "I see you still have that ox with you." Pappy and The Duke have the regular Ford/Wayne troop still with them and it works. The Sons of the Pioneers offer a new song book, but the band still plays "The Girl I Left Behind Me" when the cavalry marches out. There's a lot to be said for the old ways.
Rating:
Summary: THE TRILOGY'S SUNSET RIDE
Review: RIO GRANDE nicely finishes off the John Ford Cavalry Trilogy. While not as intense as FORT APACHE, or touching as SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON, RIO GRANDE earns its stripes with the trademarks of the trilogy: luminous direction, straight forward story telling and solid work from The Duke, Maureen O'Hara and of course, Victor McLaglen, who steels the first 20 minutes of the film. "Welcome home, darling," he bows to O'Hara as she's escorted into the fort by The Duke, to which she replies: "I see you still have that ox with you." Pappy and The Duke have the regular Ford/Wayne troop still with them and it works. The Sons of the Pioneers offer a new song book, but the band still plays "The Girl I Left Behind Me" when the cavalry marches out. There's a lot to be said for the old ways.
Rating:
Summary: Rio Grande finest of much vaunted "Ford Cavalry Trilogy"
Review: Rio Grande, shot in glorious black and white, is in a way the most colorful of the three cavalry movies that John Ford made with John Wayne. As in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" Wayne is in the starring role but a fetchingly mature Maureen O'Hara is able to hold her own with Wayne and become as powerful a figure in the story. Much of the fun of watching this picture is the on screen chemistry of Wayne and O'Hara, they are totally believable as lovers and as equals. It must be duly noted that they are supported by the John Ford stock company and they are seldom showcased as well as this. Of particular note are superb efforts by Harry Carey, and Ben Johnson who carry their parts in an easy and natural style, and Victor Mclaglen who reprises his Sgt. Quincanon from "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon". The DVD edition was digitized from the original negative and it is indeed beautiful. The soundtrack is also clear although a trifle shrill at times. Wayne, with mustache and crumpled hat never looked better, Victor Young's score is rousing, and Ford is at his sentimental and poignant best in this "must see" western classic.
Rating:
Summary: Rio Grande finest of much vaunted "Ford Cavalry Trilogy"
Review: Rio Grande, shot in glorious black and white, is in a way the most colorful of the three cavalry movies that John Ford made with John Wayne. As in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" Wayne is in the starring role but a fetchingly mature Maureen O'Hara is able to hold her own with Wayne and become as powerful a figure in the story. Much of the fun of watching this picture is the on screen chemistry of Wayne and O'Hara, they are totally believable as lovers and as equals. It must be duly noted that they are supported by the John Ford stock company and they are seldom showcased as well as this. Of particular note are superb efforts by Harry Carey, and Ben Johnson who carry their parts in an easy and natural style, and Victor Mclaglen who reprises his Sgt. Quincanon from "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon". The DVD edition was digitized from the original negative and it is indeed beautiful. The soundtrack is also clear although a trifle shrill at times. Wayne, with mustache and crumpled hat never looked better, Victor Young's score is rousing, and Ford is at his sentimental and poignant best in this "must see" western classic.
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