John Ford's Cavalry Trilogy: Myth or Reality?
Abstract
The study analyzes John Ford's films Fort Apache (1948), She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949), and Rio Grande (1950) for their historical portrayal of the frontier cavalry. The study examines each film for historical accuracy in the areas of people, places, and events; uniforms, equipment, and accouterments; the profession and garrison life; and finally, the American Indian and military operations. The later appropriate of 'trilogy' for Ford's three films is appropriate for several reasons. Each film offers the same subject, similar character types with the same names, recurring musical themes, and the same actors. Lastly, the films were made in consecutive years. In Fort Apache, a glory-seeking regimental commander leads his men to overwhelming defeat at the hands of the Apache Indians. Keywords: Cavalry; Ford; Film; Trilogy; Indian; Custer; Frontier; Garrison; Post; Uniforms; Accouterments; Military operations; History; Cavalry; Mobility; Logistics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 02, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA211796
Entities
People
- Jeffrey C. Prater
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College