Fort Apache
Adventure, Western
Warner Bros.  (1948) 128 mins

7.6 (4,569 votes)
The Civil War has just ended and the veteran Captain Kirby York (John Wayne) is assigned to to rural Fort Apache replacing its the gregarious commander. Kirby expects to take charge but is disappointed when the command of the regiment is given to Lieutenant Colonel Owen Thursday (Henry Fonda). Thursday led in the war, but is arrogant and lacks experience dealing with Indians. When Indian unrest leads to conflict, Thursday ignore York's suggestion to treat the Indians with respect. Now York must attempt to somehow broker peace between the Commander Thursday and the Apache Nation....

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Cast and Crew
John Agar  ......  2nd Lt. Michael Shannon O'Rourke
Pedro Armendariz  ......  Sgt. Beaufort
Ward Bond  ......  Sgt. Maj. Michael O'Rourke
Henry Fonda  ......  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday
Dick Foran  ......  Sgt. Quincannon
Ray Hyke  ......  Lt. Gates
Director  .....  John Ford
Producer  .....  John Ford; Merian C. Cooper
Writer  .....  James Warner Bellah; Frank S. Nugent
Notes
Goofs:
Continuity: During the battle, when York rides toward Thursday, his saber hangs from the saddle. But when he dismounts the saber is held in his waist. (more)

Trivia:
In 1953, RKO theatrically reissued this film on a double bill with another western, Blood on the Moon (1948) starring Robert Mitchum, Barbara Bel Geddes and Robert Preston, with the tag line "Two Rip-Roaring Action Hits!" (more)

Filming Locations:
Arches National Park, Moab, Utah, USA (more)

Quotes:
[after telling the soldiers to destroy the whiskey in Meacham's storeroom, Col. Thursday starts to leave]
Silas Meacham: I'll protest. I'll write Washington, I'll have you busted!
Lt. Col. Thursday: Mr. Meacham, you're a blackguard, a liar, a hypocrite and a stench in the nostrils of honest men. If it were in my power I'd hang you from the nearest tree, leave your carcass for the buzzards. But, as you are a representative of the United States government, I pledge you the protection and cooperation of my command. Good day, sir.
(more)

Awards:
2 wins & 1 nomination (more)