HTF REVIEW: "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon" (with screenshots) (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

She Wore A Yellow Ribbon




Studio: Warner Brothers
Year: 1949
Rated: NR
Film Length: 103 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Full Frame



"Don't apologize -- it's a sign of weakness"
I have DVD to thank for making me a John Wayne
fan. I never watched a single film of his until
the release of THE SEARCHERS on DVD. From that
point on, I have added a few Wayne titles to my
DVD collection. This one came recommended, so I
was more than happy to give it a viewing.
Released in 1949, She Wore A Yellow Ribbon
is considered by many to be Director John Ford's
masterpiece. It is the best of Ford's calvary
films that began with FORT APACHE (1948) and ended
with RIO GRANDE (1950).

The year is 1876. It is the end of the war and
Captain Nathan Cutting Brittles (John Wayne), a
highly experienced officer, is due to retire in
a few days. He is given an order to bring the
Major's daughter, Olivia Dandridge (Joanne Dru) to
the Poststation, a task he is outwardly opposed to.
The yellow ribbon worn by Dru, is a signal that
she has chosen a boyfriend on the post.

When he arrives there the Indians have destroyed
it and the habitants killed. Brittles, using his
influence with the Old Indian Chief manages
successfully to prevent any further battles by
freeing all the Indians horses with no casualties.
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon "Ribbon" is best
known for its color cinematography by Winton Hoch
which won him an Academy Award.

Out of all the John Wayne films I have seen thus
far (and it's not many), this is my favorite. it's
more of a mild portrait of the old warrior than a
big adventure yarn.
How is the transfer?
I can never say anything negative about a
Technicolor film. I so much love watching these
old technicolor movies filled with beautiful and
vibrant colors. From the deep reddish brown
colors of the Monument Valley landscape to the
deep blue uniforms with red and yellow sashes to
the deep red sunset skies, this film is saturated
with color. The transfer is very clean, but with
a noticeable amount of film speckle throughout.
There is a noticeable amount of video noise fuzz
in the daylit skies. Overall, however, this film
looks incredibly good for its age and its nice to
see that it has been restored to this condition.
The mono soundtrack sounds rather strong across
the two front channels.
Special Features

A few extra gems are included on this DVD.
Talk about unearthed treasures...one of John
Ford's personal Home Movies are included
here.
Shot in the 1940's while Ford and Wayne were
scouting film locations in Malzatan Mexico, we
see John Wayne at full ease enjoying a beer and
listening to a Mariachi band. The final shot is
of John Ford's yacht.
(length: approx. 4 minutes)
The film's original theatrical trailer is
included as well as a Cast & Crew Filmography
and a screen that lists the Film Awards.
Included John Ford & John Wayne Production
Notes talk about how the two met in the 1920's
when Wayne was a football player at USC. The
rest is history.
Final Thoughts

This is Ford's very personal look at the West
and the calvary men that inhabited it. You can't
help but to be swept away by the eloquence of
this film. A true classic and one that gets
my fullest reccomendation -- especially for
anyone like me just starting to appreciate John
Wayne films.
Release Date: June 4, 2002

 

[Jeff_HR]

I really love this trio of films. Now if we can just get "Fort Apache" on DVD. Nice review!

 

[BrianP]

I am getting this and can only hope we will be getting more John Ford and John Wayne films in the near future.

 

[Maurice McCone]

we have the cavalry trilogy on DVD on reg2.

they are terrific and Yellow Ribbon is certainly one of my favourites. I think that one of the joys of DVD is that it gives a new life to old classics both colour and black/white; as we get to see them as clearly as they where meant to be seen, strange but I would never have bought these on VHS.

You have got to see the Searchers on DVD it looks superb!

 

[Robert Crawford]

Glad you enjoyed it, Ronbo and I can't wait to get my copy next week. This film was simply shot beautifully!



Crawdaddy

 

[Garrett Adams]

I liked most of his films, especially Red River. His last film, The Shootist, was quite strong and as things turned out, mirrored his impending death. I recently bought it on DVD but haven't gotten around to watching it yet.

 

[Henry V]

That's great news,I looking forward to adding this to my John Ford DVD collection.
Hopefully Fort Apache and a decent film transfer of The Quiet Man will make it to DVD in the near future.

 

[Robert Harris]

Just a very quick annotation...

Kudos should go to Bob Gitt and the UCLA Film Archive for their wonderful preservation work on this film.

To place things a bit in perspective, off the top of my head, I don't believe that there are more than ten or so top quality Technicolor releases on DVD to date.

RAH

 

[Jeff_HR]

That is a real shame Mr Harris. DVD is a great medium to show off the absolute splendor of Technicolor. We REALLY need more of the Technicolor library of available. Is there a problem with source materials with these older Technicolor films? :star:

 

[Robert Crawford]

Yes, but the quality of those DVDS are far from the best!



Crawdaddy

 

[oscar_merkx]

Ron

Thanks for the review, looks like I am sold

Oscar Merkx

 

[Danny_N]

Yes, but the quality of those DVDS are far from the best!

The UK R2 releases of both She Wore A Yellow Ribbon and Fort Apache are indeed far from best(reportedly). But there are German R2 releases (by Kinowelt) for both films which are superb. Especially the German disc of She Wore A Yellow Ribbon features one of the best transfers I've seen for a Technicolor movie of this age. As a very interesting extra, the disc has a 1 hour interview with John Ford.

 

[steve blake]

talking of technicolor films,when are warner going to release errol flynns,adventures of robin hood? this is surely crying out to be released on dvd.I have it on vhs but done properly this will look beautiful on dvd.

 

[Robert George]

I watched my copy of this terrific film last night an I have to say I am a bit more enthusiastic about this new transfer. Considering the age of this film, I consider this new transfer to be little short of miraculous. Incredible detail and color fidelity. I can't think of a single pre-1950 film that looks this good on video. There aren't many pre-1960 films that look this good.

 

[Henry V]

Steve supposedly Warner Brothers is in the process of restoring "The Adventures of Robin Hood" for release on DVD in 2003,I can hardly wait to see it!
Maybe it'll inspire them to dust off a few more Errol Flynn classics from their film vaults...

 

[Rain]

Thanks for confirming what I already suspected: Another fantastic catalogue release from Warner Brothers.

 

[Jeff_HR]

I'll keep my Criterion LD of Robin Hood until WB actually has it out on the market. :b

 

[steve blake]

jeff,what is the ld of adventures of robin hood like?.is there many supplements,commentary?.this is one of my all time favourites,cant wait now till next year.

 

[Walter Kittel]

Steve,
The following review of the Voyager CAV LD of The Adventures of Robin Hood contains information about the supplements. However, this may not be pertinent to a Warner Bros. release, based on past re-releases of titles that were previously handled by Criterion.
- Walter.

 

[Marty M]

I never watched a single film of his until
the release of THE SEARCHERS on DVD.

"Coming of age" in the late 1960s I couldn't separate John Wayne's politics from his acting, so I didn't watch any of his movies. As time has gone by, and I have matured a bit, I have become more of a John Wayne fan.


All the John Ford directed John Wayne movies are great. My personal favorite is The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, with The Searchers a close second. All three of the movies in the trilogy are great, with this one probably being the best.