She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)

  • 94% of critics liked it
    (18 reviews)

  • 78% of users liked it
    (8,583 ratings)

The second of John Ford's "Cavalry Trilogy," this film stars John Wayne as Cavalry Captain Nathan Brittles. In his last days before his compulsory retirement, Brittles must face the possibility of a full-scale attack from the Arapahos, fomented by the recent defeat of General Custer… More

Play Trailer

Unrated,
Directed By
Written By
Frank S. Nugent
Genres
Western, Classics
In Theaters
Jan 1, 1949 Wide
Turner Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

  • Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television

    Classic Western with glorious color, great story telling and an anti-war point of view.

  • Wesley Lovell, Cinema Sight

    A film more notable for its gorgeous cinematography than for its plot.

  • Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

    The second of John Ford's cavalry trilogy is well acted by John Wayne and well shot by Winton C. Hoch, who an Oscar for color cinematography.

  • Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

    First and most obviously one of the most flat-out gorgeous movies ever filmed.

  • Paul Brenner, Filmcritic.com

    an old man's movie shot with a young man's energy and gusto.

Read all 11 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Graham J


    Beautifully filmed and featuring many great performances. This is one of the most entertaining of Ford's films. Also includes the greatest performance ever put in by Victor McLaglen in his reoccurring role as Sgt. Quincannon.

  • Conner R


    A great follow up to Fort Apache and probably the grandest in the whole trilogy. The use of color is almost jaw dropping at times and the way the west is captured is utterly flawless. John Wayne delivers one of his best performances out of so many great ones. Captain Brittles is… More

  • Dean M


    The compositions and photography around director John Ford's new stamping ground of Monument valley are great to look at as always. With some makeup to grey his hair and wrinkle him a might, John Wayne turns in one of his finest performances on the screen. The rest of the cast… More

  • Tim S


    John Ford's classic has lost a little of it's edge over the years, but it is no way a bad film. Quite the opposite.

  • Cassandra M


    Like "My Darling Clementine", Ford used the name of a song and even more than in Clementine, he deviated from the pattern of a standard western. Although the basic structure is a story of war with Indians, there is more focus on the people, which are the essence of this… More

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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Trailers & Clips