I have only seen it once so a second viewing may help me revise my opinion, but I was not overly impressed. Certainly, I could name ten or more Ford movies that I prefer. I would, however, name this as one of John Wayne's greatest performances - he's really superb in this.

Not a huge western film fan, but went to Monument Valley a few years ago, visited 'John Wayne's Cabin' where parts of the movie were shot and fell in love with the incredible, surrounding vistas. We picked up the dvd at the gift store and gave it a watch that night. Good movie.

@rudely_murray said:

I have only seen it once so a second viewing may help me revise my opinion, but I was not overly impressed. Certainly, I could name ten or more Ford movies that I prefer. I would, however, name this as one of John Wayne's greatest performances - he's really superb in this.

I'd agree with most of what you say. Tho I wouldn't go so far as to say Wayne is superb. It's certainly one of his more nuanced performances and he has a vulnerability here which is very rare for him.

There are parts of this movie that irked me, apart from the obvious tropes that look dated, and well, objectionable today. The score is bombastic and often idiotic. Snippets of Irish and Scots folk music, and melodies associated with the Old South, suddenly rise up without rhyme nor reason. The disconnect between what is shown on screen and what is happening musically, is bonkers.

Another thing that didn't sit right with me was the numerous false endings. It's like they wrote a story and decided they needed a longer movie. So kept adding material. Still not long enough, so add some more. And so on.

And it would have been nice to know a little more about things that pop up in the movie without elaboration. Yellow ribbons and garters? I haven't a clue. Brittles' wife and children? What was the deal with Pennell?

As with most of Ford's work, the acting is good and the cinematography superb.

It's nice to see the love. Rio Grande was my favorite of the so-called Cavalry Trilogy, but I liked this one too, mostly because of Mildred Natwick.

I give it 5/10 personally. I think it's a good point above that the film seemed almost artificially extended. Plus I was puzzled why Nathan was seemingly more annoyed at receiving a stupid and dangerous order than he was at confronting his boss about the deaths/injuries caused by said order.

I think a more fitting ending would have either have been to have Nathan retire and resign himself to the frustrations of it 'being someone else's problem' and whether his young replacements swould succeed. Or alternatively sticking one on his idiotic boss on the way out.

It was however a nice change of pace for a Wayne film to not see ladies less than half Wayne's age swoon at his presence.