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Summary: "Never Apologize, Mister, It's a Sign of Weakness!"
Review: That's the line Captain Nathan Brittles (John Wayne) keeps repeating at different junctures throughout this John Ford classic of a retiring cavalry officer and the last mission he must preside over. But although Brittles may not hold with apologizing, we see that his life has had many ups and downs, and will have more before this mission is complete. He and his men must escort his commander's wife and her niece to catch the stage back east, a task made dangerous because of the recent massacre of Custer at the Little Big Horn. There are two storylines at work here: a love triangle of the niece who's playing off two young soldiers against each other, and Brittles' more engrossing story as the old officer tries to carry out this last mission in a world where young blood continually stirs up trouble on the warpath--literally. Wayne does one of his best jobs here, playing a man much older than his actual age. One wonders what he might have done differently had "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" come later in his career, in the 1960s or early 70s. Nevertheless, even though the picture was 25 years ahead of schedule for Wayne, he does a convincing portrayal of the timeworn captain who understands that there is little of glory in the calvary, but much honor if you do your duty. Frequent co-star Victor McLaglin is on hand again, this time as Sgt. Quincannon, also due for retirement in the next few days. This is one of those "stage Irish" performances, more than slightly over the top, replete with whiskey drinking and brawling, but not troublesome for all that. Ford rarely handles women convincingly, and Joanne Dru is no exception. She looks more like a 1940s WAC than a 19th century girl visiting the still-untamed West, but Harry Carey Jr and John Agar aren't much help either. Of the younger crowd, the best job is turned in by Ben Johnson, that master horseman who populated not a few of the Ford calvary pictures. He playes Sgt. Tyree, a former Confederate captain who now is an enlisted man in the calvary. This speaks to the uneasy attempt to meld together two armies lately at war with each other, who now must unite to bring the west and the Indians down under US government authority. There are three major factors that make "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" a standout:
One is John Wayne's performance. The second is the Nathan Brittles storyline. The third? Absolutely breathtaking cinematography. One knows that this picture's Best Cinematography Oscar was won by just one scene--that amazing storm gathering cloud threatening down on the the calvary as they march through Monument Valley. There are other good shots, but that's the Award-winner, no doubt about that. For those who think that all westerns are the same, make it your business to watch "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" to correct that misconception--and no apologies, please; it's a sign of weakness.
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Summary: This is a travisty of a vidio of a great film; it's "EP".
Review: The John Ford trilogy is something to see. However, this is an "extended play" version. Be prepared to see the navy blue uniforms as kelly green. Such is the distortion of "EP". Great price.
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Summary: Such a beautiful movie
Review: The other reviews cover the movie details (one error, silver watch not a gold watch). Just a beautiful movie, wonderfully transferred to DVD. Why can't more modern films look this good. Makes me want to see it on the big screen.
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Summary: VERY, VERY GOOD PILGRAM
Review: The transfer to dvd is quite good for this movies age. Soundtrack is mono. Not one computer generated special effect. Yet this movie stands head above the pack, John Wayne does some of his finest acting in these calvery films. Its amazing what good writing and acting can do for a film. The story is simple enough yet, were carried away with all the emotions of the film. I reccommened this movie to anyone young enough to not remember when movies werent loaded with special effects to cover up pitifull acting. To anyone young enough not to remember when a woman could act in a film without taking off her clothes, to anyone young enough not to remember how a good story is what movies are all about. I hope you find this film as good as I did.
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Summary: So you think John Wayne is a lousy actor?
Review: Then think again. "She Wore a Yelloe Ribbon" is one of the Duke's greatest and most subtle performances. His interplay with the masterful Victor McLaglen is memorable and oftentimes hilarious. In this movie, Wayne fully understands the emotions and complexities of his character Nathan Brittles, the retiring cavalry leader. One of the greatest scenes that John Wayne ever played is when the troop gives him a gold watch upon his retirement. As he slowly removes his spectacles, wipes them off and then reads the sentiment, you really see that Wayne may not have had the greatest range of any actor, but he was a great actor in the right role. His characterization of Captain Nathan Brittles is near the top of the list in all-time Duke performances. I've seen this movie 30 times or more and never weary of it. You always see something new each time you view it. There is humor, pathos and action here and as always, John Ford's masterful direction. A must see!
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Summary: The best western showcase for Wayne and Ford
Review: This is a glorious and much neglected Western. Whilst 'The Searchers' receives the most acclaim helped by Martin Scorsese's public love, an obviously superior budget and the fascinating ambiguities of it's major character, I believe that 'Yellow Ribbon'is the definitive Ford Western. It is also Wayne's finest performance, as the retiring army Captain Brittles. There is a wonderful poignancy to his key scenes plus he is very funny when it's called for. I always feel a sense of ridiculous guilt in praising Wayne due to his personal right-wing gung-ho green-beret supra-patriotism. But you have to get past this to appreciate his very considerable acting talent. He had a much broader range than he is generally given credit for (by critics at least - the public always loved him). It is a shame that here he is saddled with such an appalling actress as Joanne Dru who just fails to convince with every gesture and utterance. Neither does Harry Carey Jr perform much better, bless him. However, the movie generally scores for horse riding action scenes, fabulous cinematography, brilliant compositions, humour and good old fashioned brawling scenes with the stupendous Victor McGlagan.
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Summary: A wonderful movie
Review: This is a great movie for the whole family! I love it, but then tere is not a John Wayne movie that I don't like! Its just wonderful!
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Summary: This is the United States
Review: This is actually my favorite film, so I am biased. When I was young, it was a good action picture; now I see so much more. It's not just the US cavalry who are the good guys. It demands respect of the Indians at a time when so many films were less so, to say the least. At the same time, it seeks to unite North and South with the relationship between Brittles and Tyree, most poigniantly with the death of Trooper Smith "late Brigadier-General of the Confederate army". Since the picture has been cleaned up, it's stunning to look at too.
By the way, it's a silver watch...
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Summary: Good movie of info
Review: This is really a wonderful movie. It may not be a good war movie, but it really gets Captain Brittles (John Wayne) into some romance. However, I think that he shouldn't have a beard when he's in love, but it looks like he is in this movie and Rio Grande. Maybe he should be young when in romance, because i don't think I can picture him in romance and as Brittles, even though I saw this movie. But still, don't miss out on it.
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Summary: Yellow Ribbon
Review: This is the second and ,as many have said, best in John Ford's famed cavalry trilogy. I go further in claiming for it high status in the genre of western films, it is one of the finest. Wayne wears makeup that ages him 20 years and his acting performance transforms him into that older man Captain Nathan Brittles, soon to be retired from the U. S. Cavalry. Captain Brittles talking to his late wife at her grave ,while he waters the plants he has placed there, with Monument valley in the background is one of the more moving scenes. This and "The Searchers" are Wayne's finest acting performances.
"She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" won an academy award for it's color cinematography and it was well deserved. This is one beautiful film. Ford shot many of his westerns in Monument valley, this is his definitive Monument valley western, you really see alot of the landscape and clouds and it's glorious. The special features on this dvd has a short home movie of Ford and Wayne flying down to Mexico and hanging out back in the forties.
Own this one because it's one of those rare films you can, and will want to, watch over and over.
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