American Studies Blog 5

Choose any classic Western film (except The Searchers) from the era 1930-1960 and write a review of it, using the ideas out forward by critics as the basis for your analysis.

Fort Apache - 1948

Director: John Ford

Writers: Frank S. Nugent (screenplay), James Warner Bellah (suggested by the Story ‘Massacre’

Starring: John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and Shirley Temple

Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040369/

Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040369/videogallery?ref_=tt_pv_vi_sm

“Salty, sizzling, visualization of regimental life at a desert fort, of strong masculine personalities and of raging battles beneath the withering sun.”

Bosley Crowther, New York Times

“Fort Apache was the first of Ford’s valentines to the US cavalry … through which he venerated his own sacred trinity of family, community and nation”. (Coyne, 60)

John Ford based his story of, Fort Apache, on James Warner Bellah’s, Massacre. Bellah’s story was controversial at the time due to its racism towards the Native Americans. His own son characterised him as a “fascist, a racist and world class bigot.” (Scott Eyam). Therefore, screenplay Frank Nugent, adapted the novel to become more popular within current audiences. The story follows an honest and veteran war captain, (John Wayne) who arrives home from the Civil War to a change in his regime. A new Lieutenant Colonel (Henry Fonda) has been placed in command and he is characterised as young and glory hunting. Most importantly, he has no respect for the local Indian tribe and the story unfolds.

Fort Apache is a very typical Ford picture. The film’s original budget was $2.8 million and both John Wayne and Henry Fonda were paid $100,000 each. The Wild West was established in Hollywood by 1910 and was popular as it was viewed as nostalgic and a way of life, which could have potentially been lost without the genre. This allowed John Ford, director, producer and writer to become so successful with his famous Western movie films that won him six Oscars. Ford captures all the key ingredients in his movie Fort Apache, with the captivating scenery of the Wild West, a trace of romance and the Calvary and Indians. The Civil War was still a recent memory at the time and therefore, Ford captivates his audience by creating tensions within his viewers as well as in his characters in the story.

Source: http://www.doctormacro.com/Movie%20Summaries/F/Fort%20Apache.htm

Image of: John Wayne, Henry Ford

Interestingly, the story doesn’t focus on the stereotype aspect of the violent Native Americans but instead on a vengeful Lieutenant Colonel, blinded through his ignorance. Moreover, Ford uses Native Americans to play the Native Americans within the film. There is a strong presence of women within the film. Despite the initial military community intended, the community spirit functions due to the women within the film. Ford uses the theme of the importance of women throughout his films.

The cast is impeccable, which adds to reasons to why the film was and is so popular. John Wayne demonstrates all the positive qualities needed for being a captain and Henry Fonda portrays his stubborn character effortlessly through his Colonel rank. Actress Shirley Temple, who plays Philadelphia, is also recognized for her charming yet defiant character within the story.  It is of particular interest to note the recognition of the imperialist expansion through her name ‘Philadelphia’ – a city in Pennsylvania, which highlights the importance of this movement West and how her character portrays the East. As Cawelti implies, Westerns are often elegies about the end of the West. To those that looked for an outlook of a Wild Western film, they will have been thrilled, but furthermore, Ford captures the representation of the Wild West for future Historians; the dazzling scenery, the music and sounds of the surroundings, but also captivating life of those who moved on this journey West.

Source: http://www.doctormacro.com/Movie%20Summaries/F/Fort%20Apache.htm

Image of: John Wayne, Henry Ford and Shirley Temple

The story further continues with Henry Ford’s character wanting to use his new position in Fort Apache to his advantage. He lures the Apache chief, Cochise across from the Mexican border against the advice of others, in attempt to claim the military honor, which he believes rightfully belongs to him.

The critics used to write this review included a variety. The New York Times was a review written from 1948, which is fascinating as it really captures the response to the film. The writer, Bosley Crowther, opens his review with “rootin’ tootin’ Wild West show’ a positive reflection on the film. Wild West films and shows were extremely popular in the East and travelled around the Country. Jeff Pike’s Movie Fan Fare review is more recent (2011) and provides a detailed summary of the story as well as focusing on the characters. Lastly, the website Native American, written by Chris Smallbone presents a few critical themes.

Sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B0DE5DA123EE03BBC4D51DFB0668383659EDE

http://www.nativeamerican.co.uk/fortapache.html

http://www.moviefanfare.com/fort-apache/