This feels like the strongest entry in Ford’s cavalry series, I believe. Henry Fonda is excellent portraying a principled, yet overwhelmed, colonel assigned to command a poorly managed military installation at a time when Apache activity is increasing. He takes over from John Wayne, who had considerably more experience, and things quickly become complicated. A pleasant romantic storyline unfolds with the involvement …

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 …