Despite a rather dark and poor version on DVD not best to view Monument Valley, this first in Ford's 'Cavalry trilogy' is another masterpiece, beautifully judged in mood. Note the economy of one of the opening scenes: Shirley Temple immediately bumps into Lieutenant John Agar, is smitten; he is greeted by his family, who are a great bunch of Irish, junior in rank; Henry Fonda is a bitter colonel who crosses swords with Captain John Wayne immediately, thus setting in motion a continuing dissent between them.
Thus we have - broad comedy (Victor McLaglen proving his worth again here - training of new recruits brilliant), sweet romance, loyalty, family, friendship, tension, honour, warped duty, cultural comment - the massacre at the end, totally caused by Fonda's inability to work with the Apache, even to the extent of supporting a trashy corrupt trader, is totally whitewashed as a great victory by the media. As such it's one of Ford's boldest moves, particularly in wiping out several lovable characters, and in its support for the Apache cause.
Fonda's great in (almost) totally unlikable role. With Ward Bond, George O'Brien, Anna Lee (Mrs Wayne), Irene Rich (Mrs. Bond), Dick Foran, Guy Kibbee, Grant Withers (trader), Movita (maid), Miguel Inclan (Cochise). Fonda and Wayne both great.
Written by Frank Nugent, from James Warner Bellah story.
Ford: "It's good for the country to have heroes to look up to." (Even if they aren't.) It's a post-war movie.
On camera: Archie Stout.
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