Fort Apache (1948)

I've only just recently started watching old westerns so the expectations I had going in is that they'd be about a bunch of cowboys killing a bunch of Indians wearing feathers. I wasn't really expecting much depth or attention to social issues. I was more expecting overtly racist films just churned out for profits. While I'm sure that is out there I have to say I've been pleasantly surprised so far.

In John Ford's classic Fort Apache the Native Americans aren't treated as blood-thirsty savages but as a nation trying to take care of it's people. The movie stars Henry Fonda as a military officer who has fallen out of favor with the army brass so gets transferred to the sleepy western outpost Fort Apache. His hubris and desire to be restored to a better post lead him to underestimate the Apaches and as a result the soldiers under his command and members of the Apache nation needlessly pay the price. John Wayne plays the counter to Fonda's arrogance. Wayne's character has been stationed at Fort Apache for a number of years and as a result respects the cunning of the Apache people and instead of wishing to attack them would much prefer a peace treaty.

The more I watch his movies the more I am beginning to realize that John Ford is one of those rare directors that can handle the complexity of controversial historical and social issues and still make an entertaining movie out of it. John Wayne and Henry Fond were both very good in their respective roles and if you're looking for a good western this would be a great place to start.

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The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? I've been meaning to watch more westerns and I think it's required to start out with John Wayne and John Ford.

Is it artsy? No.

Best thing about the movie? The way they portrayed the folly of a commanding officer who underestimates his opponents.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? For some westerny goodness.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 4 Stars.

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The Searchers (1956)

When you sit down to watch a John Wayne movie you have an idea of what to expect. You know there are going to be bad guys and you know the Duke is going to be the hero. I thought all John Wayne movies worked like that but this one threw me off. John Wayne played a real S.O.B. in this one. At times I really couldn't stand his character and wish he'd be the one getting gunned down. This film made me realize that John Wayne wasn't just a guy who created an iconic character that he milked in most of his films but an actor who could put on a hell of a show when presented with the right subject matter.

The Searchers isn't your run of the mill formulaic western. It deals with hatred, revenge, bitterness, loss and shows a bit of how hard of a life it was being a settler in the old west. This movie doesn't waste it's time glorifying the old west like a lot of westerns do. As a result you get a movie that is compelling and interesting to watch even if some of it seems dated and the Native-Americans are just Puerto Ricans wearing feathers. If you have any interest in westerns give this one a look. I suspect it is one of the better ones out there.

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This movie is scheduled to stop streaming on 1/1/2011.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Sometimes I get in the mood for westerns and John Wayne is the go-to guy outside of Clint Eastwood.

Is it artsy? No, it's the Duke, he doesn't do "artsy".

Best thing about the movie? John Wayne being an ass to everyone.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? In the mood for some old fashioned gun slinging with an interesting story.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 4 Stars. 

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