

You might also like
Where to watch
Show all servicesFort Apache Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Capt. Kirby York
Lt. Col. Owen Thursday
Philadelphia Thursday
Sgt. Beaufort (as Pedro Armendariz)
2nd Lt. Michael Shannon O'Rouke

Mrs. Emily Collingwood
Critic Reviews for Fort Apache
All Critics (21) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (21)
-
The nonlinear narrative, with its infinite digressions and asides, is designed less to tell a story than to present a world-a world dense in physical detail and fraught with moral challenges.
November 20, 2017 | Full Review… -
[Balances] a respect for classic American frontier virtues with a less generous assessment of how those virtues were applied.
November 20, 2017 | Rating: A | Full Review… -
Cast is as tremendous as the scope achieved by Ford's direction.
September 2, 2008 | Full Review… -
Folks who are looking for action in the oldest tradition of the screen, observed through a genuine artist's camera, will find plenty of it here.
March 25, 2006 | Full Review… -
Ford gives us telling evidence of tragic ambiguity.
January 26, 2006 | Full Review… -
A particularly effective vehicle for Ford's vision of the world's conflicts.
November 19, 2019 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Fort Apache
-
Nov 12, 2019Rarely does a work juggle so many balls in the air, without dropping a one, and all done with panache and flair. The pictures, the writing, the cast, and the flow...all executed by a master storyteller. And so many points of view handled fairly, even epically! A film with so many standout scenes that one cannot be chosen. One of the best movies ever made.Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
-
Oct 27, 2011The greatest of the "Cavalry" trilogy. Packed with great social commentary and amazing performances by Fonda, Wayne and Ward Bond. Fonda's final scene is one of the most powerful I've seen.Graham J Super Reviewer
-
Jun 12, 2011A very well done film, if a little over sentimental with regards to the army, by John Ford with solid performances from Wayne and Fonda. Fort Apache tells the tale of man't fate with regard to the time period and war. It also has lots of social commentary and was controversial in many ways concerning the questioning of heroes and legends as well as man's fate in the world, their legacy. Interesting to note is that the film was one of the first with superimposed credits during the opening, instead of the usual cards depicting the credits before the opening scene.Chris B Super Reviewer
-
May 17, 2011Made in 1948, Fort Apache is way ahead of its' time in a number of ways, namely its' complex themes. Henry Fonda is terrific, and the rest of the cast shines as well. My only significant criticism comes as a result of not enough of The Duke. A lesson Ford would later learn from.Jeffrey M Super Reviewer
Fort Apache Quotes
Lt. Col. Owen Thursday: | [steps on scale] What is this scale used for? |
Capt. Kirby York: | Weigh government beef, sir. |
Lt. Col. Owen Thursday: | [adjusts scale] Seems I've gained seventy pounds since I've been in Arizona. |
Sgt. Beaufort: | [the four soldiers who've come to escort Lt. O'Rourke to the fort have been invited to have a drink by Col. Thursday] Four bottles of cool beer, Ma. |
Sgt. Festus Mulcahy: | And I'll have the same... with a whiskey chaser. |
Sgt. Festus Mulcahy: | [after Co. Thursday has told the soldiers to destroy the contraband "whiskey"] "Destroy it," he says. Well, boys, we've a man's work ahead of us this day. |
Sgt. Festus Mulcahy: | [after Co. Thursday has told the soldiers to destroy the contraband 'whiskey'] 'Destroy it,' he says. Well, boys, we've a man's work ahead of us this day. |
Lt. Col. Owen Thursday: | This Lt. O'Rourke - are you by chance related? |
Sgt. Major O'Rourke: | Not by chance, sir, by blood. He's my son. |
Lt. Col. Owen Thursday: | I see. How did he happen to get into West Point? |
Movie & TV guides
About Tomatometer
The percentage of Approved Tomatometer Critics who have given this movie a positive review
About Audience Score
The percentage of users who rated this 3.5 stars or higher.
Verified