She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is a 1949 American Technicolor Western film directed by the late John Ford and starring the late John Wayne. It is the second film in Ford's "Cavalry Trilogy", along with Fort Apache (1948) and Rio Grande (1950). With a budget of $1.6 million, the film was one of the most expensive Westerns made up to that time. It was a major hit for RKO. The film is named after "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon", a song popular with the US military.
The last job of Calvary Captain Nathan Brittles (John Wayne) before retirement is to soothe relations with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians after Custer's last stand. At the same time, he must transport the wife (Mildred Natwick) and niece (Joanne Dru) of his commanding officer to a safe destination. After both his missions stall, Brittles attempts a face-to-face meeting with an important Native American chief in order to stave off an impending war.
Victims[]
- Corporal MacKenzie - Died of an unknown cause off-screen, mentioned.
- Unnamed Cavalry Soldier - Shot by a native with an arrow off-screen, body seen.
- Mary Brittles - Died of an unknown cause off-screen, grave seen.
- Elizabeth Brittles - Died of an unknown cause off-screen, grave seen.
- Jane Brittles - Died of an unknown cause off-screen, grave seen.
- Unnamed Cavalry Soldier - Killed by natives off-screen, hat seen.
- Ma Sudo - Killed by natives off-screen, body seen.
- Pa Sudo - Killed by natives off-screen, body seen.
- Corporal Quayne - Bled out after being shot by a native with an arrow.
- Unnamed Gunrunner - Shot by a native with an arrow.
- Unnamed Gunrunner - Thrown into a fire by natives.
Deaths[]
- Total - 11
- 7 Men
- 4 Women
Notes[]
- The Battle of the Little Bighorn is mentioned in the film but none of the deaths will be counted.