She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)
(John Ford, US 1949, 104 min., 35mm)
War, Myth, Desire. This is the second—and most beloved—of Ford’s three films about the US Cavalry in the Indian Wars. Aging cavalry officer and Indian fighter Capt. Nathan Brittles (John Wayne) is days away from retirement and none too happy about it. Beyond the action scenes of horsemen and conflict and some nice touches of humor (mostly between Wayne and Victor McLaglen as his boozing, lovable sergeant), this is essentially a portrait of a fine man at the end of a fine career. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon was filmed amidst the picturesque rock and cloud formations of the Utah desert, and Winton Hoch’s gorgeous and evocative Technicolor cinematography won an Oscar.
Also showing: Tuesday, August 7, 7:30 p.m.