‘Flawless’ Western with perfect rating streaming for free on BBC now | Films | Entertainment

The Western classic ‘Fort Apache’, featuring Hollywood legends Henry Fonda and John Wayne, has garnered a flawless rating from viewers and is now available on BBC iPlayer.

Released in 1948, ‘Fort Apache’ chronicles the journey of obstinate Civil War hero Lieutenant Colonel Owen Thursday (Henry Fonda) and his daughter Philadelphia (Shirley Temple) as they settle in Arizona.

The Colonel’s new assignment at Fort Apache outpost is fraught with tension as he butts heads with pragmatic Captain Kirby York (John Wayne), amidst conflicts with local Native Americans.

This film marks the beginning of director John Ford’s esteemed ‘Cavalry Trilogy’, followed by ‘She Wore a Yellow Ribbon’ in 1949 and ‘Rio Grande’ in 1950.

Boasting a stellar cast, ‘Fort Apache’ also served as the cinematic debut for John Agar in the role of Lt. Michael Shannon O’Rourke.

On Rotten Tomatoes, this two-hour Western epic holds an impeccable score of 100 percent, backed by a plethora of five-star reviews.

One fan wrote: “A fine and tautly written saga that’s effective on so many levels, depicting hubris, frailty, sacrifice, bravery, and human complexity.”, reports the Mirror.

“Henry Fonda is a particular standout and it’s surprising that he didn’t receive Academy recognition for his staunchly egocentric and totally believable performance.”

Another added: “Much more complex than you might assume at first glance (the ending is a less obvious riff on the “print the legend vs. tell the truth” theme Ford would return to years later) and it has a constant and oppressive feeling of melancholy that robs any of the “heroics” on display here of the usual triumph you get from most other cavalry westerns.

“Just about as good as a western can get. Fonda is magnificent in his portrayal of the strait laced, Owen Thursday as an archetype Victorian.

“Obsessed with rank and social class. The film explores the mores of military life and the mythology of the west. The use of Native Americans provides an authenticity. And the battle scenes are epic. A film that merits repeated viewings,” a third viewer wrote.

A fourth said: “I love fort apache so much. It is definitely in my top 10 favorite movies of all time. And It is definitely one of John wayne’s best films. Henry Fonda, Shirley temple, Ward bond and John agar were also good in it. It is a masterpiece of a western.

“The first of the “Cavalry” trilogy is an excellent film with masterful direction by John Ford and superb performances by John Wayne and Henry Fonda,” a fifth fan noted.

Another viewer added: “Part of the classic Ford trilogy classic and its definitely a classic. John Wayne and Henry Fonda butt heads in a fort whilst dealing with Apaches.”

Fort Apache is now available on BBC iPlayer.