Henry Fonda portrays Colonel Owen Thursday in this post Civil War cavalry Western, and manages to clash with virtually everyone else in the film, including his own daughter Philadelphia (Shirley Temple). Thursday is assigned to Fort Apache in the Arizona Territory, an end of the line outpost in which he feels shunted aside as regards his military career. Complicating matters, the pretty "Phil" is immediately attracted to West Point graduate and Second Lieutenant Michael O'Rourke (John Agar). Against this backdrop, Thursday must deal with an Apache tribe increasingly dissatisfied with reservation life and their treatment at the hands of dishonest trader Silas Meacham (Grant Withers). When Thursday decides that the Apaches must return to the reservation against their will, his resolve is questioned by Captain Kirby York (John Wayne), who has always stood by his word with Apache Chief Cochise.
Subordinate to his superior officer, John Wayne does an admirable job in maintaining a delicate balance between following orders and resolutely pointing out the Colonel's folly in pursuing his course against the Apaches. York self assuredly gets Cochise to agree to a parley, only to learn that Thursday's intention is to attack with a regiment and earn the glory that will get him promoted to a more suitable assignment. Noting York's attitude as cowardice, Thursday relieves him of command and details him to the supply train. Thursday's only redemption, if it can be called that, is that he returns to battle after being severely injured and with the outcome of the battle no longer in doubt. His death in combat cements his reputation, even as his arrogance and defiance to the end causes his own downfall.
In one of her final film roles, Shirley Temple seems out of place in the wild west, and her characterization of the Colonel's daughter is at times pouting and demure. There were moments in the film that she reminded me of the young Judy Garland.
John Agar marks his film debut in this movie; he would go on to mini fame in the mid 1950's in such "B" sci-fi and horror gems as "Revenge of the Creature", "Tarantula" and "The Mole People".
Word must be mentioned of the superb cinematography in this film; the expansive desert imagery and rock formations often times overshadow the story, as if the affairs of soldiers and Indians could even attempt to outweigh the beauty and grandeur of nature.
Besides the movie's star players, the film boasts a talented supporting cast, including Ward Bond, George O'Brien, Victor McLaglen and Dick Foran. Their finest moments usually come in the form of comic relief, as portrayed in a scene showing new recruits learning to ride horseback. But it's in a scene left to one's imagination that brings the biggest chuckle, when Colonel Thursday requests his men to destroy trader Meacham's supply of rotgut moonshine. Following orders, they each pick up a cup, in full readiness to complete their mission.
Subordinate to his superior officer, John Wayne does an admirable job in maintaining a delicate balance between following orders and resolutely pointing out the Colonel's folly in pursuing his course against the Apaches. York self assuredly gets Cochise to agree to a parley, only to learn that Thursday's intention is to attack with a regiment and earn the glory that will get him promoted to a more suitable assignment. Noting York's attitude as cowardice, Thursday relieves him of command and details him to the supply train. Thursday's only redemption, if it can be called that, is that he returns to battle after being severely injured and with the outcome of the battle no longer in doubt. His death in combat cements his reputation, even as his arrogance and defiance to the end causes his own downfall.
In one of her final film roles, Shirley Temple seems out of place in the wild west, and her characterization of the Colonel's daughter is at times pouting and demure. There were moments in the film that she reminded me of the young Judy Garland.
John Agar marks his film debut in this movie; he would go on to mini fame in the mid 1950's in such "B" sci-fi and horror gems as "Revenge of the Creature", "Tarantula" and "The Mole People".
Word must be mentioned of the superb cinematography in this film; the expansive desert imagery and rock formations often times overshadow the story, as if the affairs of soldiers and Indians could even attempt to outweigh the beauty and grandeur of nature.
Besides the movie's star players, the film boasts a talented supporting cast, including Ward Bond, George O'Brien, Victor McLaglen and Dick Foran. Their finest moments usually come in the form of comic relief, as portrayed in a scene showing new recruits learning to ride horseback. But it's in a scene left to one's imagination that brings the biggest chuckle, when Colonel Thursday requests his men to destroy trader Meacham's supply of rotgut moonshine. Following orders, they each pick up a cup, in full readiness to complete their mission.