Rio Grande (Collector's Edition)

Media:	DVD
Directed by:	John Ford
Starring:	John Wayne, Maureen O&, 039;Hara
Release date:	22 October, 2002
List price:	~~$14.98~~
Our price:	$11.61 that is 22% off!

Rio Grande (Collector's Edition)

Average rating: Stars

The Last of the Cavalry Trilogy

Film lore has it that John Ford had to make this movie for Republic Pictures if he was going to get them to produce "The Quiet Man." This is the third of a series of Ford movies known as the "Cavalry Trilogy." The first two were "Fort Apache" (1948) and the Oscar-winning "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" (1949). Most fans and critics agree that "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" is the best of the lot. I'd agree with that, with "Fort Apache" as a close second. The least well received of the three films is "Rio Grande" (1950). It's not at all a bad movie, but it's certainly not in the same league with "Stagecoach," "My Darling Clementine," or "The Searchers." Victor McLaglen is visibly aging here, while Harry Carey, Jr., does little more than chew hay and say "yo" every two minutes. Still, it's a competently done film that stands high above the level of most 1950's cavalry movies. It's also noteworthy for being John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara's first screen appearance together. To paraphrase Victor McLaglen in "Fort Apache," any Ford movie is better than no Ford movie at all!

Rio Grande (Collector's Edition) - John Wayne, Maureen O& and more

Wayne and O'Hara at their Western best

I love this movie - Maureen O'Hara never looked prettier and John Wayne is his outstanding macho self. Wayne had to complete The Quiet Man in Ireland in order to do this film and John 'Pappy' Ford made exceptionally effective use of the Monument Valley locations. The added bonus is the music of Stan Jones and the Sons of the Pioneers, the number one western music group of all time. Stan (who wrote the classic "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky") wrote almost all the music, also has a speaking role, as does Ken Curtis, the Pioneers' lead singer and who later became "Festus" on Gunsmoke. The story is a classic - a mother's love for her only son along with the anger of a spoiled southern aristocrat caught in the ravages of the Civil War, the former husband whose pledge of Duty, Honor, and Country of the career military man broke up their marriage, and the realization and acceptance by both of that pledge is as integral to the man as were her ties to the South. This should be in the top five of John Wayne movies for collectors - great music, acting, scenery, photography, and message.

John Wayne, Maureen O& and more - Rio Grande (Collector's Edition)

Rio Grande Collectors Edition

Many Great Westerns have been the results of Director and Star partnerships none more so than John Ford and John Wayne From Stagecoach 1939 to The Man who Shot Liberty Valance 1962. Just about in the middle of this period they made three films regarded as Ford's Cavalry Trilogy. As well as John Wayne, Victor McLagen (A former Ford favourite) would also appear in all three! Fort Apache (1948) She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) and Rio Grande (1950).

In Rio Grande John Wayne reprises his role of Kirby Yorke from Fort Apache. John Ford had just completed Wagon Master with Ward and in the title role with Ben Johnson and Harry Carey Jnr both who no doubt for a matter of convenience retained their names of Travis (Tyree) and Sandy (Boone) from the earlier film. Johnson also played Sgt Tyree in She wore a Yellow Ribbon. The film also stars Maureen O'Hara as Wayne's estranged screen wife, Claude Jarman Jnr as their son and last but not least J. Carrol Naish as Lt Gen Phil Sheridan.

The story is basically a study of reconciliation between the Wayne and O'Hara characters during the Apache wars. Beautifully shot in black and white plenty of images on the skyline, as well as that of the troops encampment and on the move.
The horse riding sequences are outstanding it's reputed that Johnson, Carey and the young Jarmen did all the Roman (standing on two horses whilst going at full gallop) style riding. Ben Johnson was a former stunt rider and double and it's these three who are the real heroes of the piece!

As usual with most John Ford films we have several comic set pieces as well as the frequent accompaniment by "The Sons of the Pioneers" (A singing group previously lead by Roy Rogers). John Wayne was in a purple patch at this stage of his career having had critical acclaim for the aforementioned She Wore a Yellow Ribbon and Howard Hawkes Red River 1948. Any John Ford / John Wayne aficionado will have a field day with this release, but any Western fan should find much to enjoy in this top quality Collector's Edition DVD

This Rio Grande Collector's Edition DVD along with Trailers (All digitally remastered). Plus extras
"THE MAKING OF RIO GRANDE" Hosted by Leonard Maltin
"ALONG THE RIO GRANDE WITH MAUREEN O'HARA"