Rio Grande

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Rio Grande

1950

1h 45m

Western

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Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

15 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Lieutenant Colonel Kirby Yorke (John Wayne) heads a cavalry post on the Texas side of the Rio Grande, defending settlers against Apaches launching raids from the Mexican side of the river. When Yorke's 16-year-old son, Jeff (Claude Jarman Jr.) -- who he has not seen since he was a baby -- shows up at the post as one of the new recruits, he treats him more harshly than the others. Things are further complicated when Yorke's estranged wife, Kathleen (Maureen O'Hara), returns to take her son home.

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Aug 13, 2021

6/10

It's a forgettable Ford western. [Full review in Spanish]

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James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

Mar 8, 2021

2.5/4

despite all that talent behind the camera, Rio Grande still strikes one primarily as a film that Ford just wanted to get done

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Michael J. Casey

Boulder Weekly

Jan 8, 2021

4/5

Popular entertainment from a complicated time made by strong personalities with contradictory beliefs.

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Kevin Wight

The Wee Review

Apr 4, 2020

3

While nowhere near an essential showcase for Ford or Wayne, and a complete waste of O'Hara, Rio Grande is still a generally enjoyable conveyor-belt western.

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Feb 22, 2008

4/5

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Jan 3, 2008

I like it better than the problematic Fort Apache; it's far simpler and more effective.

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Feb 2, 2019

The best Western movie ever made!

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Anakin S

May 14, 2018

Stereotypical western by John Ford, who creates some interesting atmosphere from time to time but certainly not one of his extremely good films.

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Albus R

Oct 30, 2017

It was fine, but not up to the usual snuff. 1001 movies to see before you die.

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Theodore M

Oct 1, 2017

"Rio Grande" is so empty, pointless and devoid of thrills that calling it a formulaic Western would be an overstatement. There's more singing scenes than action, the characters are entirely hollow (to the point where the potential of them ending up unharmed, wounded or dead doesn't make any difference) and of course white folks are good and the natives should all die horrible deaths. Why this film is considered remotely good is beyond me. Avoid.

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Harry W

Nov 4, 2013

Between 2 and 2.5. Classic John Ford movie, but lacking much attractive.

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John Ford

Director

John Wayne

Lt. Col. Kirby York

Maureen O'Hara

Mrs. Kathleen York

Ben Johnson

Trooper Travis Tyree

Harry Carey Jr.

Trooper Daniel "Sandy" Boone

Victor McLaglen

Sgt. Maj. Timothy Quincannon

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Synopsis

Lieutenant Colonel Kirby Yorke (John Wayne) heads a cavalry post on the Texas side of the Rio Grande, defending settlers against Apaches launching raids from the Mexican side of the river. When Yorke's 16-year-old son, Jeff (Claude Jarman Jr.) -- who he has not seen since he was a baby -- shows up at the post as one of the new recruits, he treats him more harshly than the others. Things are further complicated when Yorke's estranged wife, Kathleen (Maureen O'Hara), returns to take her son home.

Director: John Ford
Producer: Merian C. Cooper, John Ford, Herbert J. Yates
Screenwriter: James Warner Bellah, James Kevin McGuinness
Production Co: Argosy Pictures, Republic Pictures Corporation
Genre: Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 15, 1950, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2012
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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