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John Wayne, Joanne Dru, John Agar, Ben Johnson, Victor McLaglen ... see more see more... , Mildred Natwick , Harry Carey Jr. , George O'Brien , Arthur Shields , Harry Woods , Noble Johnson , Cliff Lyons , Tom Tyler , Michael Dugan , Mickey Simpson , Frank McGrath , Don Summers , Jack Pennick , Billy Jones , Fred Graham , Fred Kennedy , Rudy Bowman , Ray Hyke , Lee Bradley , Chief John Big Tree , Paul Fix , Bill Gettinger , Fred Libby , Post Park , William Steele , Dan White , Francis Ford , Irving Pichel

The second of John Ford's "Cavalry Trilogy", She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is the only one of the three to be lensed in Technicolor. In an Oscar-calibre performance, 42-year old John Wayne plays sixtyish C... read more read more...avalry Captain Nathan Brittles. In his last days before his compulsory retirement, Brittles must face the possibility of a full-scale attack from the Arapahos, fomented by the recent defeat of Custer and by double-dealing Indian agents. After a series of minor victories and major frustrations, Brittles decides to ride into the Arapaho camp, there to smoke a pipe of peace with his old friend, Chief Pony That Walks (Chief John Big Tree). Before he leaves, he is presented with his retirement present by his troops: a pocket watch, with the inscription "Lest We Forget"(Wayne's playing of this scene, barely holding back tears as he adjusts his spectacles to read the inscription, is one of his finest moments on film). Brittles is able to forestall an Indian attack, just in time for his official retirement. The film really ends here, but there are two more potential climaxes before the words THE END dissolve into view. The patchiness of the Frank Nugent/Lawrence Stallings screenplay (attributal to the fact that it is adapted from two different short stories) prevents She Wore a Yellow Ribbon from reaching the same lofty heights as the Ford/Wayne collaborations Fort Apache (1947) and Rio Grande (1949). The gratuitous offscreen narration of Irving Pichel is also rather distracting. Even so, Wayne's flawless performance, coupled with the supporting contributions of Ford's stock company (John Agar, Harry Carey Jr., Victor McLaglen et al) and the Academy Award-winning photography by Winston C. Hoch, automatically elevates She Wore a Yellow Ribbon to classic status. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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78% liked it

8,447 ratings

Critics

94% liked it

17 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 43 min.

Directed by: John Ford

Release Date: January 1, 1949

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DVD Release Date: June 4, 2002

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Stats: 336 reviews

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Joanne Dru and John Agar She Wore a Yellow Ribbon John Wayne and Harry Carey Jr. John Wayne and Joanne Dru
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Flixster Reviews (336)

  • fb1664868775
    October 27, 2011
    fb1664868775
    Beautifully filmed and featuring many great performances. This is one of the most entertaining of Ford's films. Also includes the greatest performance ever put in by Victor McLaglen in his reoccurring role as Sgt. Quincannon.
  • ythelastman89
    September 6, 2010
    ythelastman89
    A great follow up to Fort Apache and probably the grandest in the whole trilogy. The use of color is almost jaw dropping at times and the way the west is captured is utterly flawless. John Wayne delivers one of his best performances out of so many great ones. Captain Brittles is ... read moreprobably one of the most noble and courageous characters, certainly in terms of military movies. John Ford's vision and storytelling is just unlike anything else and this is such a beautiful movie to experience.
  • deano
    August 29, 2010
    deano
    The compositions and photography around director John Ford's new stamping ground of Monument valley are great to look at as always.
    With some makeup to grey his hair and wrinkle him a might, John Wayne turns in one of his finest performances on the screen.
    The rest of the cast m... read moreeasures up equally well. Victor McLaglen, as irascible as ever, plays Irish Top Sergeant Quincannon, full of blarney and (a bit of) whiskey. His morning scenes with Wayne, denying he'd been drinking, are comic gems. I like the scene of McLaglen battling men in the bar. As the young suitors of Joanne Dru, John Agar and Harry Carey Jr. are also quite good.
  • FilmFanatik
    December 20, 2009
    FilmFanatik
    John Ford's classic has lost a little of it's edge over the years, but it is no way a bad film. Quite the opposite.
  • matertenebraum
    January 10, 2009
    matertenebraum
    Like "My Darling Clementine", Ford used the name of a song and even more than in Clementine, he deviated from the pattern of a standard western. Although the basic structure is a story of war with Indians, there is more focus on the people, which are the essence of this great fil... read morem. Joanne Dru is the beautiful niece of the commanding officer and she thrives on her power of seduction. When she wears the yellow ribbon, both John Agar and Harry Carey Jr hope it is for them. John Wayne is a captain who is going to retire, he is the one who knows it all, and his relationship with Ben Johnson, an ex confederate, is a model of human respect. Victor McLaglen is the strong,loyal Irishman who loves to fight and drink. There are some incredibly beautiful shots of Monument Valley in great color.When Joanne Dru at a certain moment feels guilty about all the trouble she caused and says to Wayne she is sorry, he tells her not to apologize for it is a sign of weakness, and considering all the excitement and joy she brought to the cavalry, he is certainly right.
  • garyX
    March 4, 2007
    garyX
    John Ford and John Wayne's remarkably consistent partnership works it's magic once again in yet another classic western.
  • staindslaved
    July 16, 2011
    staindslaved
    It might be a tough watch for the MTV generation but fans of westerns or John Wayne get a delectable treat with She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. It's always great to see John Wayne acting, instead of just acting like John Wayne, and here we get one of his all time best characters as Na... read morethan Cutting Brittles. Victor McLaglen is stand-out as his stereotypical typecast drunken Irishman and Wayne's constant mumbling's about his "new silver watch" further add comic relief to an, at times, dry story. The title songs nostalgically heartwarming too.
  • jonnycrumley
    March 18, 2009
    jonnycrumley
    Great western. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, is the 2nd of John Ford's cavalry trilogy. The Duke stars as Captain Nathan Brittles, who on the eve of retirement, takes out a last patrol to stop an impending massive Indian attack. Like most John Ford westerns, there is plenty of action... read more, humor, and great performances. Ben Johnson and John Ager reprise their roles as cavalry soldiers, and Joanne Dru provides the eye candy. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is another Wayne/Ford classic that's not to be missed.
  • jimbotender
    November 13, 2008
    jimbotender
    Well-made typical western impaling on the racist heart of the cavalry towards the Indian tribes and Ford successfully sympathizes with both military sides.Wayne is looking sophisticated instead of the gruesome fellow like in later roles e.g. True Grit.The scenery however is unreal.
  • fb68600877
    January 1, 2012
    fb68600877
    One of John Wayne's finest performances, for sure. He's terrific as a leader of a cavalry regiment during his last few days of duty. We get to watch how he affects everyone under his command and under his watch in a variety of ways. Victor McLaglen provides good comic relief.

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Critic Reviews

Wesley Lovell
August 15, 2011
Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy

A film more notable for its gorgeous cinematography than for its plot. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
March 4, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

The second of John Ford's cavalry trilogy is well acted by John Wayne and well shot by Winton C. Hoch, who an Oscar for color cinematography. Full Review

Tim Brayton
January 4, 2011
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

First and most obviously one of the most flat-out gorgeous movies ever filmed. Full Review

Paul Brenner
July 22, 2009
Paul Brenner, Filmcritic.com

an old man's movie shot with a young man's energy and gusto. Full Review

Steve Crum
June 21, 2008
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

Definitely in top five of all-time Ford/Wayne westerns. Gorgeous color too.

Emanuel Levy
January 13, 2007
Emanuel Levy, Screendaily

Some of the most touching scenes describe the ceremonies in which tradition is transmitted from the older to the younger generation. When John Wayne gets a silver watch as a present, he sniffs a tear ... Full Review

James Plath
August 23, 2005
James Plath, Movie Metropolis

John Wayne, John Ford, and Monument Valley in glorious color. What more can you ask for in a western?

Jeffrey M. Anderson
February 27, 2003
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner

One of Ford's best.

Bob Bloom
October 14, 2002
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

Splendid John Ford Western; Wayne is great, scenery fantastic. A must-see for any film buff.

John J. Puccio
June 7, 2002
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

...a lot of people's favorite Western, and it's good to see it in all its Technicolor glory on DVD.

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She Wore a Yellow Ribbon Trivia

  • In what movie does John Wayne play Captain Nathan Cutting Brittles?  Answer »
  • In John Wayne's film, "She wore a yellow ribbon". What was written on the back of his pocket watch?  Answer »
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