SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON won an Oscar for Cinematography and this certainly does not come as any surprise, as it is perhaps the most beautifully filmed movie I have ever seen. I really wish I had been able to see it on the big screen because it was just breath-takingly filmed--with very, very intense and vivid colors--both in the skies and the uniforms. I don't know exactly how John Ford managed it, but these outdoor scenes shot on location were just perfect. He was either very, very lucky (and I doubt that) or the film shows that he was a genius at color (and based on his other color films, I can sure believe it). In fact, I think the color system he used in this film was better than the colors we see today. Today's Technicolor might be more realistic, but the print for this film is almost better than real life!! It evokes a certain beauty and nostalgia that make it the real star of this film.

Another major standout in this film was John Wayne. While many of his films are just ordinary performances he could do practically in his sleep, this film and the other John Ford cavalry films (FORT APACHE and RIO GRANDE) were wonderful characterizations for Wayne. They provided him MUCH more depth and more than just the tough-guy persona. In this film, he is a much older character--in his mid-50s and about to retire. And, as a result, he's a truly manly character but in a much subtler and sophisticated way. Sure, he's very brave, but he thinks and behaves the way we would really want a man to behave--not blustery and macho, but decent, patient and thinking as well as tough. Again and again throughout this film, Wayne's character COULD have responded by punching or shooting, but chose a wiser and more measured response--totally unlike the stereotypical Wayne character. Heck, this character didn't even drink alcohol!!! Along with Wayne's perfect performance, the film was bolstered by wonderful performances by the usual Ford/Wayne ensemble cast. John Agar (often maligned as "just Shirley Temple's first husband") was wonderful in the film, as were Harry Carey, Jr. and the rest. Probably the best of the supporting actors in the film was Ben Johnson, though Mildred Natwick and all the others sure did themselves proud as well.

The plot itself was pretty simple--like an episode of life in the West instead of a huge spectacle. And, the way the Indian war was brilliantly averted without massive bloodshed was,....brilliant! But the plot isn't why this movie scores a 9. This film is yet another example of just how wonderful and practically perfect a John Ford and John Wayne film could be. My advice to you is find and watch them all--from THEY WERE EXPENDABLE to THE QUIET MAN to this cavalry trilogy. Wonderful direction, writing, acting and filming--it just doesn't get much better than this.

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is a wonderful, first-class film overall. Because there are so many good things about it, I never felt bored. In regards to the pace, I had no problem with it, same with the length. Also, I actually think in general the scenes with the Indians and the romantic subplot worked, there have been westerns when they haven't, or one of them anyhow, but while they weren't the best parts of the story they didn't distract too much either. In fact my only real problem was Victor McLaglen, the Irish whimsy occasionally got a tad too much.

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon has a huge amount to like. There is the beautiful cinematography that perfectly captured the magnificent Monument Valley locations. There is the stirring and quite majestic score, that brings drama, intensity, the like to any scene it appears in. There is John Ford's superb direction, the compelling story and nice dialogue. And there is also John Wayne's marvellous central performance and the fine cast that support him especially Harry Carey Jnr and the lovely Joannna Dru. In conclusion, a great film and a great calvary western. 9/10 Bethany Cox

USA 1949 English (Colour); Western (RKO); 103 minutes (PG certificate)

Crew includes: John Ford (Director); Frank Nugent, Laurence Stallings (Screenwriters); John Ford, Merian C. Cooper (Producers)

Cast includes: John Wayne, Joanne Dru, John Agar, Ben Johnson, Harry Carey, Jr., Victor McLaglen, Mildred Natwick, George O'Brien, Arthur Shields

Academy Award: Cinematography - Colour

The final mission of a retiring cavalry captain (Wayne) is complicated by his being tasked to deliver to safety his commanding officer's wife and her niece (Dru),the latter a distraction for two rival army lieutenants.

Playing 20 years older (he was 41),one of Wayne's more affecting performances; McLaglen memorable as a drunken sergeant.