Best Military Westerns
1. Fort Apache (1948)
John Ford‘s film explores tensions between a rigid new commander and his more experienced officers at a frontier outpost.
Why it’s great:
- Strong performances from Henry Fonda and John Wayne
- Exploration of military duty and the treatment of Native Americans
- Ford’s expert staging of cavalry maneuvers and battles
2. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)
Another John Ford cavalry film, following a retiring captain on his last patrol.
Why it’s great:
- John Wayne‘s nuanced performance as Captain Nathan Brittles
- Ford’s masterful direction and use of Monument Valley scenery
- Vivid Technicolor cinematography by Winton Hoch
3. The Horse Soldiers (1959)
John Ford directs John Wayne in this film based on a true Civil War cavalry raid.
Why it’s great:
- Wayne’s strong performance as Colonel Marlowe
- William Holden as the conflicted army surgeon
- Spectacular cavalry charge sequences
4. Major Dundee (1965)
Sam Peckinpah’s epic follows a Union cavalry officer leading a contentious expedition into Mexico.
Why it’s great:
- Charlton Heston’s driven performance as Major Dundee
- Richard Harris as the Confederate captain Tyreen
- Peckinpah’s trademark blend of violence and male camaraderie
5. Escape from Fort Bravo (1953)
A strict cavalry officer must pursue escaped Confederate prisoners and his former lover across Apache territory.
Why it’s great:
- William Holden’s strong performance as Captain Roper
- John Sturges’ taut direction
- Exciting climactic Apache attack sequence.