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She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

Drama · Western · 1949

On the eve of retirement, Captain Nathan Brittles takes out a last patrol to stop an impending massive Indian attack. Encumbered by women who must be evacuated, Brittles finds his mission imperiled.

Movie details

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

“John Ford's new and finest picture of the fighting cavalry!”

1949 Drama · Western 1h 44m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.9 / 10

Community rating

On the eve of retirement, Captain Nathan Brittles takes out a last patrol to stop an impending massive Indian attack. Encumbered by women who must be evacuated, Brittles finds his mission imperiled.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over She Wore a Yellow Ribbon?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

John Ford

Written by

Frank S. Nugent · Laurence Stallings · James Warner Bellah

John Wayne

John Wayne

Capt. Nathan Cutting Brittles

Joanne Dru

Joanne Dru

Olivia Dandridge

John Agar

John Agar

Lt. Flint Cohill

Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson

Sgt. Tyree

Harry Carey Jr.

Harry Carey Jr.

2nd Lt. Ross Pennell

Victor McLaglen

Victor McLaglen

First Sergeant Quincannon

Mildred Natwick

Mildred Natwick

Abby Allshard

Court is in session

Put She Wore a Yellow Ribbon on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.