TCM Greatest Classic Film Collection: Legends - John Ford (She Wore a Yellow Ribbon / Three Godfathers / Cheyenne Autumn / Wagon Master)

I am a definite fan of John Ford's work, from the beautiful backgrounds that highlight his westerns to depth of understanding that marks his most serious work. This collection includes one piece one would term 'serious,' "Cheyenne Autumn." The desperate flight of the Cheyenne group is seen largely through the sympathetic eye of Richard Widmark's army officer, with some divergence into a full third-person perspective (including sections with a voice-over) to fill out the events of the trek. The film is deeply moving, with curious flecks of comedy (the Dodge City episode) serving to highlight the absurdity of the American concern with persecuting a few starving Indians."She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" is a western standard, notable for John Wayne, Ben Johnson, and others 'doing their thing' and for the near-peaceful resolution of the immediate conflict. The location work is beyond compare, with the thunderstorm on the desert a highlight."Wagon Master" with Ben Johnson and Ward Bond is a particular gem -- another of those Ford pieces that extolls tolerance and universal values through a cowboy morality play. The pace is a bit laid-back, giving the piece a gentleness that is harshly interrupted by the violent intrusion of a band of murderous thieves. Johnson as the well-intentioned horse trader who serves as Wagon Master and Bond as the pragmatic, sensible leader of the colonists give the movie a great moral sense.The fourth movie, "Three Godfathers," I fear has never really roused my interest, so I won't write on it.I will declare this collection a particularly 'good deal,' as all four films reflect Ford's great use of the western scene. One is a particularly strong movie; two others are ideal to casually watch and re-watch; I've nothing nasty to say about the fourth.

John Ford was one of the greatest directors for Westerns and War Movies we've had in a long time. He launched the careers of many stars, not just John Wayne. But in 'She Wore A Yellow Ribbon' he created what I feel the greatest movie about the U.S. Cavalry versus the Indians. And John Wayne is at his greatest as Captain Nathan Brittles. Many critics feel that John Wayne's academy award for True Grit came because he didn't get it in his better movies of which this is one. 'The Three Godfathers' another great story told with four very good actors in John Wayne, Pedro Armendirez (spelling may not be right), Harry Carey Jr and Ward Bond help make this John Ford Western well worth watching. Another great story based on history is the movie Cheyenne Autumn and with Richard Widmark among others in this movie another great watch. I got this set because the three movies I just mentioned at the price I paid made it irresistable to buy. I had not recalled the movie Wagon master or the one time I had seen it back in the 1960's but it is a good movie with Ward Bond, Ben Johnson and Harry Carey Jr. I strongly recommend this set for any Western movie fan among others who might want it for two good John Wayne movies along with two good other movies.

I ordered this for The Three Godfathers, which is corny as all get out, but I still like it. I'd never seen Wagon Master, and was surprised at how good it was. It is story about pioneers going west. It had fun characters, good villains (including James Arness), and unexpected heroes. I really enjoyed it.Cheyenne Autumn was another new one to me, and a very good film. The story is based on a true event, though hollywood-ized, of course. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is another great John Wayne/John Ford calvary film, which I had already seen. It won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography in 1950, and was nominated as 1950's Best Written American Western.All four are good movies, and I am very happy with my purchase. On the technical side ... the sound is good, and the image was clean and clear. I don't get more technical than that.