Fort Apache

Colonel Thursday (Henry Fonda) is bitter at having been sent to battle 'digger' Indians, and his textbook methods of warfare appear barbaric and suicidal to his men.

Captain York (John Wayne), an officer experienced in Apache warfare, tries to advise Thursday, but his best efforts are in vain.

This was the first film in director-producer John Ford's cavalry trilogy, followed by 'She Wore a Yellow Ribbon' (1949) and 'Rio Grande' (1950).