Western Movie Review of Rio Grande - A Classic War Western

by Don
(Kewanna, IN, USA)

THE BREATHTAKING SAGA OF THE UNITED STATES CAVALRY

Sit back, relax and enjoy an epic western, Rio Grande, directed by the great John Ford. In this superbly-done film stars John Wayne as the fully-mustached, cigar-smoking, tough Lt. Colonel Kirby Yorke; Maureen O'Hara as his stubborn and beautiful estranged wife Kathleen, and Claude Jarman, Jr. as their equally stubborn son Jeff, who just failed at West Point and was dropped from the military academy. Claude Jarman interestingly enough successfully played the part of Jody in the famous film The Yearling, several years earlier. He shows up here as a new recruit in Kirby Yorke’s post after Yorke has not seen his son for 15 years.


Even though it is in black and white, you can appreciate film’s wide expanse of scenery and beautiful shots taken of the west. The first major scene is powerful, with the U.S. Calvary wearily returning to their fort from a pursuit of the warring Apache Indians. Not only does Lt. Colonel Yorke have to fight the Indians, he has to battle wills with Kathleen and his son, who enlisted in the army and joined Yorke's regiment. Kathleen’s goal is to obtain her son’s release by paying $100. However, Yorke doesn’t want to stand in the way of his son’s desire to be in the army, so he refuses to sign for the release. How after years of separation York and Kathleen again come closer and how York saves his honor on western and home front is just mesmerizing. So there you see a very touching family drama within the war western of Rio Grande.


In this western movie, Lt. Colonel Yorke is shown as a tough leader as well as a tough father. He's very careful not to show favoritism to his son. Just watch John Wayne squeezing the troopers with his famous dialogues;

"On the official records you're my son, but on this post you're just another trooper."

"The war department promised me 180 men; they sent me 18 all told. You are the 18, so each one of you will have to do the work of 10 men."

"Failure means being spread-eagled on a wagon wheel."

"The punishment for deserters is being broken to bits."



I was impressed with John Ford's knowledge and representation of the U.S. Calvary of the Civil War with the various formations of horses and other realistic military shots. This is a tough movie showing the tough life of the soldier in that period of history. As Yorke explains, it is a "life of suffering and hardship, uncompromising devotion to your oath and duty." However, there are some comical scenes in the film, particularly involving the character of the Sergeant, who seems to have an unresolved conflict with Kathleen from the past.

Another plus for this western film is the group, Sons of the Pioneers, who sing several beautiful songs for Kathleen. The harmony is fabulous and the love songs are touching. When mother and son see each other at the post for the first time, such love is shown on the part of Kathleen for her son; she says she’s come to take him home. He doesn’t want to quit. Kathleen says, "You’re stubborn and proud, just like he is." Young Jeff returns with, "Just like you are, mother."

The acting is really excellent and realistic in this western film. You can feel that there is a lot of energy on the part of actors to convey their characters. With a large battle at the end, with yelping Apaches and hundreds of men on horseback, this family-army-war-drama of Rio Grande will remind you of the Golden Era of western cinema and will leave you as a fan of The Duke, John Wayne. I would highly recommend this classic western movie.