One of John Wayne's best performances, as an ageing cavalry officer trying to drive Indians off lands they regard as their own. What particularly distinguishes this John Ford Western, though, is its feel for those early pioneer days of wide open spaces, especially well captured in Ford's sensitive direction, and in Winton C Hoch's breathtaking colour photography, which deservedly won an Oscar. The film's quiet power - only the comedy scenes involving Victor McLaglen seem out of key - makes it an unchallenged classic in its field.

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