Fort Apache – Accountability Schmaccountability

This review is full of spoilers, so if you like classic westerns crossed with classic war films, Fort Apache is fine cinema and you should watch it first. Check it out and then come back to check out this post if the ending outrages you!
Fort Apache is the first movie in John Ford’s cavalry trilogy. A strange mix or westerns and war films, the movies in the Cavalry trilogy are all fine films (though not as close to my heart as “pure” westerns) and Fort Apache may be my favorite. Though having a rambling plot and a bit of the usual Fordian flaws (most notably the somewhat overdone comedic elements), it is still a strong and assured piece of film-making. Along with The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, it is also John Ford’s strongest statement of his “when the legend becomes fact, print the legend” philosophy.
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