Rent Rio Grande (1950)

Superb extras - Rio Grande review by LE

This is probably the weakest of Ford's Cavalry Trilogy and takes a, shall we say, 'conservative' view of the war on native americans - in contrast to Ford's other films of this time. So quite an odd one. Definitely worth seeing though and some typically poetic cinematography. I love that Ford had the confidence to just stop his films at various points for a cast song. Also well worth checking the commentary by Stephen Prince which is superb, and the video essay by Tag Gallagher. Those two extras make this a must-see BluRay for anyone wanting to learn more about the great John Ford. Good print too.

Standard Ford. - Rio Grande review by Steve

There is so much knockabout farce and harmonising of Irish ballads in the third of Ford's cavalry trilogy that it's as much a sentimental musical comedy as a western. When the Native American attack finally arrives in the last reel, it gives the film an action climax but Rio Grande concerns itself little with the 'Indian' Wars. There is nothing here about the aims of either side. Or the justness of their cause.

The plot instead rests on the rekindling of a long ago romance between a cavalry officer (John Wayne) and his estranged wife (Maureen O'Hara). There is some chemistry there. O'Hara smoulders effectively and they would have a bigger hit with Ford in 1952 with The Quiet Man.

The Indian attack is well staged, but the best of the action is a boisterous but incongruous scene of the troops 'roman riding' during their initial training. That's standing on two horses while circuiting the corral, and even taking a few jumps. Apparently Ford got the actors to do this rather than use stuntmen. The era is plausibly recreated and Ford captures many fine images of his cavalry photographed against the Utah landscape.

Rio Grande relies on a tolerance of watching Victor McLaglen ineptly drill yet another set of raw recruits, the harmonising of Irish vocal group, Sons of Pioneers, and yet another comical punch up. But there is some sadness for the forgotten men of remote army camps engaged in a long war, largely unvalued by the politicians who posted them. And for the women scrutinising the returning column of soldiers, searching for their husbands.