Fort Apache marks the beginning of what would become known as John Ford’s US Cavalry trilogy. Like its companions, She Wore A Yellow Ribbon & Rio Grande, this film is adapted from a short story by James Warner Bellah. Although initially planned to be filmed in color, it was ultimately shot in black and white, though Ford still managed to make excellent use of the Monument Valley scenery. The narrative mainly focuses on opposing viewpoints within the military itself. There’s Lt. Col. Owen Thursday (Henry Fonda), who is inflexible in his beliefs, very strict about following regulations, and seems willfully blind and unfriendly towards the Native Americans he's tasked with overseeing. Then there’s Captain Kirby York (John Wayne), a more easygoing officer who understands and shows respect for the Indian people. Thursday also displays some sexist tendencies and an air of superiority; he’s set on preventing his daughter Philadelphia (Shirley Temple) from marrying Lieutenant O’Rourke (John Agar), considering O'Rourke’s family to be beneath her station. All of this unfolds at a remote military post, which is another source of resentment for Thursday—he feels he should have been sent somewhere with a better chance of achieving recognition. Ford’s film also offers an interesting perspective on the lives of women stationed at the post. While the men carry out their duties, the women are expected to maintain decorum even when confronted with foolishness and prejudice. Ford spends considerable time exploring military protocol, rank structure, and social hierarchy within the community. This is one of his most openly sympathetic portrayals of Native Americans; here, it’s the Apache, led by the wise and reserved Cochise, who are not depicted as antagonists but rather as victims of the actions of the unscrupulous Indian agent Meacham (Grant Withers). It's this storyline that leads to the film’s powerful final thirty minutes. Ford’s action sequences are predictably impressive, but it’s his concluding scene that makes the most lasting impression. The myths surrounding the West and the need for heroic figures are examined closely by the director—it provides plenty to consider as the closing credits play. Fort Apache draws inspiration from George Armstrong Custer's mistakes, presenting them with intelligence, humor, and breathtaking visuals. 8.5/10

Source on TMDB