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Ben Johnson, Chill Wills, Harry Carey Jr.

The last and least memorable of John Ford's famous cavalry trilogy (following Fort Apache and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon), Rio Grande nonetheless has an interesting continuity about...( read more  read more... ) the gentlemanly rules of military conduct. Here the focus is on the family. While creating a heated controversy over his handling of the Apache war, John Wayne must also contend with disgruntled wife Maureen O'Hara and estranged son Claude Jarman Jr., a new recruit trying to earn his father's love and respect. Ford seems to suggest that there are two conflicting codes of honor in every cavalry officer's life, the personal as well as the professional, and that it takes an act of heroism to maintain both. It's fascinating to observe Wayne's progression throughout the trilogy, as his personal stakes intensify. Also, this is the first of five onscreen appearances between the Duke and O'Hara, each filled with a competitive spirit and stormy sexuality. --Bill Desowitz

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76% liked it

7,622 ratings

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75% liked it

12 critics

Unrated, 105 min.

Directed by: John Ford

Release Date: November 15, 1950

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DVD Release Date: May 22, 2001

Stats: 209 reviews

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John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara Rio Grande John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara Victor McLaglen, Maureen O'Hara and J. Carroll Naish John Wayne and Claude Jarman
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Flixster Reviews (209)

  • flixsterman
    May 11, 2009
    flixsterman
    Director John Ford agreed to make this one in a deal with Republic Pictures to secure financing for his pet project, The Quiet Man. Never one to do things half-ass, Ford secured a rather large budget and a top notch supporting cast for his two stars, John Wayne and Mauree...( read more)n O'Hara. Rio Grande isn't Ford's most popular or most acclaimed film, but it's hard to deny it's prototypical old-west charm.
  • stopitgoaway
    January 10, 2009
    stopitgoaway
    As many people know, Rio Grande is the third installation of John Ford's sweeping "Cavalry trilogy*," his paean and dirge for the forging of the West after the Cival War. In each, there is Indian fighting, romance and Monument Valley. Younger officers look forward to winning glor...( read more)y in the Indian Wars while the older, veteran officers who served in the Civil War are tired of fighting and would rather keep the peace instead. And the enlisted men coming from all walks of life, some running from something, others trying to find something, but all taking war and peace as they come. They want to stay alive, but aren't too worried about dying.

    Unlike the first two cavalry films, Rio Grande focuses more on the love between an Army officer and his wife, and the pain his life causes her. This pain is made even worse by the fact that their son has chosen to follow his father's way of life, and winds up serving in his father's command. When, as is inevitable, Indians flee their reservation, the family becomes embroiled in war against the Apaches (whom, everyone knows, were the toughest, most ruthless and evil Indian fighters of them all := ).

    This is where Ford starts to swerve away from ordinary westerns. While his Indians are fierce and tough, Ford tries to show in all the Cavalry films that they are also honourable and fighting for home and family, not because they are evil. And while Wayne's character must pursue his Indians until they're either captured or dead, he is not without both sympathy and respect, and with the knowledge that it is the white man's treatment of them that is at the heart of the war.

    It's more than certain that John Ford has become my favorite director. His ability to make stories with depth, compassion and remarkable truth has caused his films to last. I hope that you will see all of the Cavalry Trilogy, and then seek out all of his other films.

    *The other films in the trilogy are Fort Apache (1948) and She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (1949).
  • sanjurosamurai
    October 24, 2008
    sanjurosamurai
    although this film had a horribly slow start, it had a terrific ending. this wasnt even a film john ford wanted to make. it was a contractual obligation so that he could make the quiet man. despite this fact the film has become an absolute classic. not quite as good in my min...( read more)d as its reputation suggests, but a must watch for serious film fans.
  • organgrinder136
    August 10, 2008
    organgrinder136
    john ford. as i was expecting it was shit. will never watch another john ford film again. cunt
  • kenstachnik
    January 24, 2008
    kenstachnik
    Wayne's first appearance with Maureen O'Hara
  • catpeople22
    October 16, 2009
    catpeople22
    A surprisingly disapointing viewpoint of the Native's and Alchohol
  • shchase2000
    July 25, 2009
    shchase2000
    Saw it before and really love his movies
  • notspam555
    May 30, 2009
    notspam555
    A not especially distinguished John Ford movie, considering something better, such as Drums Along the Mohawk for instance, is not included here.
  • Soundsofmadness
    March 28, 2009
    Soundsofmadness
    No thankyou - Not interested
  • jonnycrumley
    March 21, 2009
    jonnycrumley
    The final installment of John Ford's cavalry trilogy, is as intelligent and entertaining as its predecessors. The duke reprises his role as Lt. Col. Kirby Yorke, the role he first played in Fort Apache, and is rejoined by Ben Johnson who reprises his role his role as Sgt. Tyree ...( read more)from She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (confusing I know). Along with other familiar actors from the trilogy, screen goddess Maureen O'Hara provides the eye candy on this occasion, in her first of 5 appearances alongside The Duke.
    Rio Grande may not be as memorable as the first 2, but it's got all the right ingrediants that make a great western.

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Rio Grande Trivia

  • which movie of john wayne's was not based on the same story  Answer »
  • The studio made John Ford make this film before he was allowed to make "The Quiet Man"?  Answer »
  • McQ, The Quiet Man, was not on the Stagecoach when Brannigan and His Private Secretary crossed the Rio Grande On The Wings Of Eagles. Who am I?  Answer »
  • Name the director of Rio Grande  Answer »
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