Film Analysis: She Wore A Yellow Ribbon

One of the most enjoyable and well-known film genre is the Western, produced from the start of the movie business to even today. When one thinks of a Western, they might think of an iconic star such as John Wayne riding on a horse in a beautiful landscape. In one of the most classic Westerns, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne, Captain Nathan Brittles is tasked with simultaneously easing tensions with the aggressive Cheyenne Indians and transporting his commander’s wife & niece back to the safe East. Although he is planned to retire in just six days, Brittles is still tasked on his last mission to drive the Cheyenne back North while looking over not just his men, but also two extremely vulnerable women who he has to make sure stay safe. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is a highly entertaining and interesting movie because it follows some rules of the Western film production while also varying a small amount. …show more content…
They tend to include characteristics such as simple lifestyles, individualism, and heroism. They set up the hero of the movie with a gun and a horse and show their brave and courageous acts in the plot. They also show the beautiful landscape of the Western frontier and develop it as somewhat of a character. These traits are demonstrated almost all the time in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, such as in the scene when they are leaving the army base on their horses with the beautiful landscape of Monument Valley in the background. The film also gives off a theme of negative feelings towards Native Americans because they are constantly attacking the heroic cavalry members and others. John Wayne’s classic acting really ties the Western film atmosphere all together with his gallant and valiant personality. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon possesses nearly all the elements of an orthodox Western, but also goes against the normal process in a small