Fort Apache

“Fort Apache” features an all-star cast - John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Ward Bond and Shirley Temple.

Lt. Colonel Owen Thursday (Henry Fonda) is not happy that he has been sent to command a distant fort in the west.  A Civil War veteran, he believes that he should have been given a more prestigious assignment.

Accompanied by his daughter Philadelphia (Shirley Temple), the colonel is determined to make the best of the situation and hopes for an opportunity to do something great. 

However, his strict, by-the-book leadership alienates the soldiers under his command who don’t like his autocratic style, but will serve him because of their duty and honor.  The men all respect the second-in-command, Captain Kirby York (John Wayne) who tries to offer the new colonel helpful advice, but is ignored and reprimanded.

When his daughter, Philadelphia, shows an interest in a young 2nd Lieutenant named Michael O’Rourke (John Agar), Colonel Owen disapproves of the possible relationship.  He forbids O’Rourke from seeing his daughter.

The entire situation reaches a boiling point, when Native American Cochise and his tribe decide to defy the Colonel and leave the reservation for good.

•  “Fort Apache” is one of three films that are part of  director John Ford’s famous  “Calvary Trilogy.”  The movies were given this name because they are all centered around the U.S. Calvary. The other two films in this trilogy are “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” and “Rio Grande.”  Of the three films, “Fort Apache” was the first one made.

•  “Fort Apache” is considered to be the first Hollywood movie to present a real and sympathetic portrayal of Native Americans at the Battle of Little Bighorn.. The role that Henry Fonda plays in this movie is a lightly veiled commentary about General Custer and the myth surrounding his battle at Little Bighorn.

•  “Fort Apache” was filmed at the Corriganville Movie Ranch in Simi Valley, California.  The Corrigan Movie Ranch has been used for filming movies since 1938 and is still in existence today.  It was named after Ray Corrigan who owned the land and did some acting himself.  You can find out more about the Corrigan Movie Ranch by clicking this link.

•  Shirley Temple and John Agar play love interests in “Fort Apache” which is partly based on truth because they were married to each other at the time that they did this film together. “Fort Apache” was John Agar’s first movie role.