Fort Apache (1948)
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- Passed
- 2h 8min
- Drama, Western
- 21 May 1948 (Canada)
- Movie
At Fort Apache, an honorable and veteran war captain finds conflict when his regime is placed under the command of a young, glory hungry lieutenant colonel with no respect for the local Indian tribe.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 2 wins & 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| John Wayne | ... |
Capt. Kirby York
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| Henry Fonda | ... |
Lt. Col. Owen Thursday
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| Shirley Temple | ... |
Philadelphia Thursday
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| Pedro Armendáriz | ... |
Sgt. Beaufort
(as Pedro Armendariz)
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| Ward Bond | ... |
Sgt. Maj. Michael O'Rourke
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| George O'Brien | ... |
Capt. Sam Collingwood
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| Victor McLaglen | ... |
Sgt. Festus Mulcahy
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| Anna Lee | ... |
Mrs. Emily Collingwood
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| Irene Rich | ... |
Mrs. Mary O'Rourke
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| Dick Foran | ... |
Sgt. Quincannon
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| Guy Kibbee | ... |
Capt. Dr. Wilkens
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| Grant Withers | ... |
Silas Meacham
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| Jack Pennick | ... |
Sgt. Daniel Schattuck
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Ray Hyke | ... |
Recruit
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| Movita | ... |
Guadalupe
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| Miguel Inclán | ... |
Cochise
(as Miguel Inclan)
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| Mary Gordon | ... |
Ma (barmaid)
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Philip Kieffer | ... |
Cavalryman
(as Philip Keiffer)
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| Mae Marsh | ... |
Officer's Wife
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| Hank Worden | ... |
Southern Recruit
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| John Agar | ... |
2nd Lt. Michael Shannon O'Rourke
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Abdullah Abbas | ... |
Officer at Dance (uncredited)
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Danny Borzage | ... |
Recruit With Mustache / Accordionist at Serenade (uncredited)
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Cliff Clark | ... |
Stage Driver (uncredited)
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Jane Crowley | ... |
Officer's Wife (uncredited)
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| Frank Ferguson | ... |
Newspaperman (uncredited)
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| Francis Ford | ... |
Fen - Stage Guard (uncredited)
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| William Forrest | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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| Fred Graham | ... |
Cavalryman (uncredited)
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Bobbie Hale | ... |
Officer at Dance (uncredited)
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| Frank McGrath | ... |
Cpl. Derice (uncredited)
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Clyde McLeod | ... |
Officer at Dance (uncredited)
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Russell Meeker | ... |
Officer at Dance (uncredited)
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Al Murphy | ... |
Orchestra Leader (uncredited)
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John Rice | ... |
Officer at Dance (uncredited)
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| Phil Schumacher | ... |
Soldier (uncredited)
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Allen D. Sewall | ... |
Officer at Dance (uncredited)
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| Mickey Simpson | ... |
NCO at Dance (uncredited)
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Leslie Sketchley | ... |
Officer at Dance (uncredited)
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| Brick Sullivan | ... |
Officer at Dance (uncredited)
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| Harry Tenbrook | ... |
Tom O'Feeney (uncredited)
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| Archie Twitchell | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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Eleanore Vogel | ... |
Officer's Wife (uncredited)
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Directed by
| John Ford | ||
Written by
| Frank S. Nugent | ... | (screenplay) |
| James Warner Bellah | ... | (suggested by the story "Massacre") |
Produced by
| Merian C. Cooper | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
| John Ford | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
Music by
| Richard Hageman | ... | (musical score) |
Cinematography by
| Archie Stout | ... | (cinematography) |
| William H. Clothier | ... | (uncredited) |
Editing by
| Jack Murray | ||
Art Direction by
| James Basevi | ||
Makeup Department
| Emile LaVigne | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| William Forsyth | ... | assistant production manager (uncredited) |
| Bernard McEveety | ... | production manager (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Lowell J. Farrell | ... | assistant director (as Lowell Farrell) |
| Cliff Lyons | ... | second unit director (uncredited) |
| Frank Parmenter | ... | second assistant director (uncredited) |
| Jack Pennick | ... | assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Jack Golconda | ... | properties (as Jack Galconda) |
| Joseph Kish | ... | set dressings |
| Robert Clark | ... | foreman (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Joseph I. Kane | ... | sound |
| Frank Webster | ... | sound |
Special Effects by
| Dave Koehler | ... | special effects |
| Daniel Hays | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Frank Baker | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Fred Carson | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| John Epper | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Richard Farnsworth | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Fred Graham | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| John Hudkins | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Ben Johnson | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Walt La Rue | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Cliff Lyons | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Ted Mapes | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Frank McGrath | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Gil Perkins | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Bob Rose | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Danny Sands | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Barlow Simpson | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Jack Williams | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Terry Wilson | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Eddie Fitzgerald | ... | camera operator (uncredited) |
| Carl Gibson | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Al St. Hilaire | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| D.R.O. Hatswell | ... | costume research |
| Michael Meyers | ... | wardrobe: men's |
| Ann Peck | ... | wardrobe: ladies' |
| Eugene Joseff | ... | costume jeweller (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Lucien Cailliet | ... | conductor / music arranger |
| Morton Downey | ... | playback singer (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Meta Stern | ... | script supervisor (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Katherine Cliffton | ... | research editor |
| Merian C. Cooper | ... | presenter |
| John Ford | ... | presenter |
| Philip Kieffer | ... | technical advisor (as Major Philip Kieffer USA Rtd.) |
| Katharine Spaatz | ... | technical advisor |
| Kenny Williams | ... | dance sequences |
| Gilberte Aubry | ... | french voice dubbing: Shirley Temple (uncredited) |
| Gino Baghetti | ... | italian voice dubbing: Harry Tenbrook (uncredited) |
| Jacques Berlioz | ... | french voice dubbing: Guy Kibbee (uncredited) |
| Jean Berton | ... | french voice dubbing: Jack Pennick (uncredited) |
| Miranda Bonansea | ... | italian voice dubbing: Shirley Temple (uncredited) |
| Nino Camarda | ... | italian voice dubbing: Fran Ferguson (uncredited) |
| Giorgio Capecchi | ... | italian voice dubbing: George O'Brien (uncredited) |
| Giovanna Cigoli | ... | italian voice dubbing: Mary Gordon (uncredited) |
| Mario Corte | ... | italian voice dubbing: Ray Hyke (uncredited) |
| Olinto Cristina | ... | italian voice dubbing: Miguel Inclan (uncredited) |
| Robert Dalban | ... | french voice dubbing: Grant Withers (uncredited) |
| Sid Davis | ... | stand-in: John Wayne (uncredited) |
| Gualtiero De Angelis | ... | italian voice dubbing: Henry Fonda (uncredited) |
| Ivan Desny | ... | french voice dubbing: John Agar (uncredited) |
| Mario Gallina | ... | italian voice dubbing: Guy Kibbee (uncredited) |
| Adolfo Geri | ... | italian voice dubbing: John Agar (uncredited) |
| James Green | ... | set doctor (uncredited) |
| Jean-François Laley | ... | french voice dubbing: Frank Ferguson (uncredited) |
| Serge Lhorca | ... | french voice dubbing: Pedro Amendáriz (uncredited) |
| Raymond Loyer | ... | french voice dubbing: John Wayne (uncredited) |
| Paul Mantz | ... | aerial liaison (uncredited) |
| Renata Marini | ... | italian voice dubbing: Anna Lee (uncredited) |
| Henriette Marion | ... | french voice dubbing: Mary Gordon (uncredited) |
| Giuliana Maroni | ... | italian voice dubbing: Movita (uncredited) |
| Pierre Morin | ... | french voice dubbing: Ward Bond (uncredited) |
| Robert Nielson | ... | set doctor (uncredited) |
| Luigi Pavese | ... | italian voice dubbing: Grant Withers (uncredited) |
| Jack Pennick | ... | executive assistant (uncredited) |
| Bruno Persa | ... | italian voice dubbing: Hank Worden (uncredited) |
| Mario Pisu | ... | italian voice dubbing: John Wayne (uncredited) |
| Cesare Polacco | ... | italian voice dubbing: Cliff Clark (uncredited) |
| Claude Péran | ... | french voice dubbing: Henry Fonda (uncredited) |
| Charles Quesnel | ... | auditor (uncredited) |
| Marcel Raine | ... | french voice dubbing: Victor McLaglen (uncredited) |
| Lita Recio | ... | french voice dubbing: Movita (uncredited) |
| Giovanna Scotto | ... | italian voice dubbing: Irene Rich (uncredited) |
| Aldo Silvani | ... | italian voice dubbing: Ward Bond (uncredited) |
| Alberto Sordi | ... | italian voice dubbing: Pedro Amendáriz (uncredited) |
| Georges Spanelly | ... | french voice dubbing: William Forrest (uncredited) |
| Gaetano Verna | ... | italian voice dubbing: Victor McLaglen (uncredited) |
| Paul Villé | ... | french voice dubbing: Francis Ford (uncredited) |
| Tom Wood | ... | assistant publicist (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- RKO Radio Pictures (1948) (United States) (theatrical) (as An RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. Release)
- RKO Distributing Corporation of Canada (1948) (Canada) (theatrical) (as RKO Distributing Corporation of Canada, Ltd.)
- RKO Radio Pictures (1948) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- RKO Pictures (Australasia) (1948) (Australia) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Films A/S (1948) (Norway) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Films (1948) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Standard Films (1948) (Belgium) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Pictures Argentina (1948) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Films (1948) (Italy) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Films (1948) (France) (theatrical)
- Motion Picture Export Association (MPEA) (1948) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Astor-Filmi (1949) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Shochiku (1953) (Japan) (theatrical) (as Shochiku Eihai)
- RKO Radio Filmgesellschaft (1953) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Pictures (1953) (United States) (theatrical) (re-release) (as An RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. Release)
- C&C Television Corporation (1955) (United States) (tv)
- RKO Radio Pictures (1957) (United States) (theatrical) (re-release) (as An RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. Release)
- C.B. Films S.A. (1960) (Spain) (theatrical) (reissue)
- Standard Films (1960) (Belgium) (theatrical) (reissue)
- United Artists Television (1960) (United States) (tv) (for C&C)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1962) (Finland) (tv)
- Athos Films (1966) (France) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Cat-Film Distributions (1968) (Sweden) (theatrical) (re-release)
- United Artists Television (1971) (United States) (tv) (for MBI)
- Thorn EMI (1981) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- MGM/UA Entertainment Company (1982) (United States) (tv) (for MBI)
- RKO Home Video (1985) (United States) (VHS)
- Turner Entertainment (1986) (United States) (tv) (for RKO)
- Turner Entertainment (1987) (United States)
- Turner Home Entertainment (1988) (United States) (VHS)
- Turner Home Entertainment (1989) (United States) (VHS) (Colorized Version)
- Turner Home Entertainment (1992) (United States) (VHS)
- Image Entertainment (1995) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- Turner Home Entertainment (1996) (United States) (VHS)
- Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2000) (Germany) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2000) (United States) (VHS)
- DHE Castle (2001) (Finland) (VHS)
- Universal Home Entertainment (2001) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures (2001) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Pan Vision (2003) (Finland) (DVD)
- Classicline (2004) (Brazil) (DVD)
- Future Film (2006) (Finland) (DVD)
- Universal Home Entertainment (2006) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures (2006) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2006) (United States) (DVD)
- Vídeo Mercury Films (2007) (Spain)
- Universal Pictures (2008) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2012) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Rai Movie (2016) (Italy) (tv)
- Filmjuwelen (2025) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Filmjuwelen (2025) (Germany) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Color Systems Technology Inc. (colorization)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Deep into the territory of the great Apache chief, Cochise, the demoted Civil War general, Lieutenant Colonel Owen Thursday, reports for duty as a commanding officer at the remote U.S. cavalry outpost known as Fort Apache, along with his daughter, Philadelphia. There, the arrogant commander will soon lock horns with the realistic and sensible second-in-command, Captain Kirby York, who, as an expert in the local Apaches, disagrees with Thursday who wants to make a name for himself in the Arizona frontier. In the end, is it wise to engage in battle when personal glory is all you seek? Written by Nick Riganas |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | John Ford's Masterpiece of the Frontier! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $2,500,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | The cast member who had the hardest time with John Ford was John Agar, making his film debut. Whether it was because Agar was newly married to Ford's beloved Shirley Temple or because he wanted to test him, the director rode him mercilessly, calling him "Mr. Temple" in front of everyone, criticizing the way he delivered lines, chastising him for his lack of expert horsemanship. One day Agar stormed off, vowing to quit the picture, but John Wayne took him aside and helped him with some of the more difficult aspects of his job. See more » |
| Goofs | At 01:00:20 a small truck is seen on a road in the background, behind and to the right of the row of Apaches who are about to attack the repair wagon. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into John Ford: The Man Who Invented America (2019). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Sweet Genevieve See more » |
| Quotes |
Lt. Col. Thursday:
This Lt. O'Rourke - are you by chance related? RSM Michael O'Rourke: Not by chance, sir, by blood. He's my son. Lt. Col. Thursday: I see. How did he happen to get into West Point? RSM Michael O'Rourke: It happened by presidential appointment, sir Lt. Col. Thursday: Are you a former officer, O'Rourke? RSM Michael O'Rourke: During the war, I was a major in the 69th New York regiment... The Irish Brigade, sir. Lt. Col. Thursday: Still, it's been my impression that presidential appointments were restricted to sons of holders of the Medal of Honor. RSM Michael O'Rourke: That is my impression, too, sir. Will that be all, sir? See more » |