Rio Grande

Released Nov 15, 1950

1h 45m

Western

List

71%

17 Reviews

Tomatometer

70%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 4/5

Sep 15, 2005

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

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

Rated: 6/10

Aug 13, 2021

Full Review

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

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

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 8, 2021

Full Review

Michael J. Casey

Boulder Weekly

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

Rated: 4/5

Jan 8, 2021

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

John Wayne is excellent, even if this Kirby Yorke seems different from the one in Fort Apache.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 17, 2020

Full Review

Kevin Wight

The Wee Review

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.

Rated: 3

Apr 4, 2020

Full Review

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Jeff S

If you like boisterous ballads and continuous cacophony, this one's for you.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/22/24

Full Review

Alec B

It lacks both the visual style and narrative complexity of Ford's best work. Also he clearly wasn't directing most of the actors, oh well its what he had to muddle through in order to get to make "The Quiet Man".

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/20/24

Full Review

Steve D

Only for the already converted.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/04/24

Full Review

Harry N

This is not a wide scale saga like "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" or "The Searchers." Rather it is a personal portrait of an estranged couple: Wayne and O'Hara. Due to their son enlisting in the Calvary and being assigned to the command of Wayne they are forced to interact and eventually reconcile. The acting between Wayne and O'Hara is subtle, poignant and endearing. Much more believable than the volatile relationship in "The Quiet Man." The film presents the gentlemanly courtesy of those in the military. Also aided by the songs by the Sons of the Pioneers who are present in the film. The film projects a sense of honor among members of the Calvary. Well done.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/14/23

Full Review

Liam D

It might be the weakest of the Calvary trilogy but it's still an enjoyable movie

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The third of Director John Ford's cavalry trilogy, which included "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" and "Fort Apache". "Rio Grande" teamed John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara for the first time. They had genuine chemistry together. This third film might not be one of Wayne and Ford's best films, but it is certainly entertaining and beautifully shot. I like that Wayne's character showed a vulnerability that he doesn't usually show. It was a mistake, however to shoot the action sequences in sped up mode.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

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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
Screenwriter: James Warner Bellah, James Kevin McGuinness
Production Co: Republic Pictures Corporation, Argosy Pictures
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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