Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Rio Grande

  • 19501950
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
16K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
6,590
49
Harry Carey Jr., Ben Johnson, Victor McLaglen, J. Carrol Naish, and Chill Wills in Rio Grande (1950)
A cavalry officer posted on the Rio Grande is confronted with murderous raiding Apaches, a son who's a risk-taking recruit and his wife from whom he has been separated for many years.
Play trailer1:56
1 Video
75 Photos
RomanceWestern
A cavalry officer posted on the Rio Grande is confronted with murderous raiding Apaches, a son who's a risk-taking recruit and his wife from whom he has been separated for many years.A cavalry officer posted on the Rio Grande is confronted with murderous raiding Apaches, a son who's a risk-taking recruit and his wife from whom he has been separated for many years.A cavalry officer posted on the Rio Grande is confronted with murderous raiding Apaches, a son who's a risk-taking recruit and his wife from whom he has been separated for many years.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
16K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
6,590
49
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • John Ford
    • Writers
      • James Kevin McGuinness(screenplay)
      • James Warner Bellah(Saturday Evening Post story)
    • Stars
      • John Wayne
      • Maureen O'Hara
      • Ben Johnson
    Top credits
    • Director
      • John Ford
    • Writers
      • James Kevin McGuinness(screenplay)
      • James Warner Bellah(Saturday Evening Post story)
    • Stars
      • John Wayne
      • Maureen O'Hara
      • Ben Johnson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 116User reviews
    • 73Critic reviews
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Blu-ray Trailer
    Trailer 1:56
    Blu-ray Trailer

    Photos75

    Maureen O'Hara and Claude Jarman Jr. in Rio Grande (1950)
    Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne in Rio Grande (1950)
    John Wayne in Rio Grande (1950)
    Maureen O'Hara, John Wayne, and Claude Jarman Jr. in Rio Grande (1950)
    John Wayne in Rio Grande (1950)
    Maureen O'Hara in Rio Grande (1950)
    Harry Carey Jr. and Ben Johnson in Rio Grande (1950)
    John Wayne in Rio Grande (1950)
    Maureen O'Hara and Harry Carey Jr. in Rio Grande (1950)
    J. Carrol Naish in Rio Grande (1950)
    John Wayne in Rio Grande (1950)
    Maureen O'Hara, Harry Carey Jr., and Claude Jarman Jr. in Rio Grande (1950)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Wayne
    John Wayne
    • Lt. Col. Kirby Yorke
    Maureen O'Hara
    Maureen O'Hara
    • Mrs. Kathleen Yorke
    Ben Johnson
    Ben Johnson
    • Trooper Travis Tyree
    Claude Jarman Jr.
    Claude Jarman Jr.
    • Trooper Jefferson 'Jeff' Yorke
    Harry Carey Jr.
    Harry Carey Jr.
    • Trooper Daniel 'Sandy' Boone
    Chill Wills
    Chill Wills
    • Dr. Wilkins (regimental surgeon)
    J. Carrol Naish
    J. Carrol Naish
    • Lt. Gen. Philip Sheridan
    Victor McLaglen
    Victor McLaglen
    • Sgt. Maj. Timothy Quincannon
    Grant Withers
    Grant Withers
    • U.S. Deputy Marshal
    Sons of the Pioneers
    Sons of the Pioneers
    • Regimental Musicians
    • (as Sons Of The Pioneers)
    Peter Ortiz
    • Capt. St. Jacques
    Steve Pendleton
    Steve Pendleton
    • Capt. Prescott
    Karolyn Grimes
    Karolyn Grimes
    • Margaret Mary
    Alberto Morin
    Alberto Morin
    • Lieutenant
    Stan Jones
    • Sergeant
    Fred Kennedy
    Fred Kennedy
    • Trooper Heinze
    Ken Curtis
    Ken Curtis
    • Donnelly - Regimental Singer
    • (uncredited)
    Tommy Doss
    • Regimental Singer
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Ford
    • Writers
      • James Kevin McGuinness(screenplay)
      • James Warner Bellah(Saturday Evening Post story)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    More like this

    She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
    7.2
    She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
    Fort Apache
    7.4
    Fort Apache
    The Horse Soldiers
    7.1
    The Horse Soldiers
    Rio Bravo
    8.0
    Rio Bravo
    The Quiet Man
    7.7
    The Quiet Man
    3 Godfathers
    7.1
    3 Godfathers
    Red River
    7.8
    Red River
    Hondo
    7.0
    Hondo
    Rio Lobo
    6.7
    Rio Lobo
    Stagecoach
    7.8
    Stagecoach
    El Dorado
    7.5
    El Dorado
    The Sons of Katie Elder
    7.1
    The Sons of Katie Elder

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to Maureen O'Hara in her autobiography, "Tis Herself", some stunt men died during the shooting of the film when they fell from their horses during a scene in the middle of a muddy river. Their bodies were allegedly never recovered.
    • Goofs
      At the end of the scene where Trooper Tyree is arrested (when Mrs. Yorke is complaining about "Yankee justice") the shadow of a boom mic is visible behind Sgt. Maj. Quincannon.
    • Quotes

      [York plans the rescue of children held prisoner by Apaches]

      Lt. Col. Kirby York: Is it dark enough for you to get in there?

      Trooper Travis Tyree: With two men I pick, sir.

      Lt. Col. Kirby York: Two men you pick? I know you're a excellent judge of horse flesh, Trooper Tyree. You proved that when you stole my horse. But how are you as a judge of men for a dangerous mission?

      Trooper Travis Tyree: I consider myself a good judge of men I trust, sir.

    • Alternate versions
      Also available in a computer colorized version.
    • Connections
      Featured in Directed by John Ford (1971)
    • Soundtracks
      My Gal Is Purple
      Words and Music Stan Jones

      Performed by the Sons of the Pioneers (uncredited)

    User reviews116

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Sentimental, psychological, classic movie, very unique for its genre
    Although I am not particularly fond of westerns, I saw this movie since I had heard much about it from many people. It is true that a lot of westerns show the wild lives of cowboys overdoing with cruelty. RIO GRANDE, however, is a different story. It is not only a western but a highly educational movie which combines all precious values in life, some of which do not necessarily go in harmony, including honor, love, the feeling of duty, grandeur, and psychological reflections. Moreover, as a film, it is supplied with highly prestigious cinematography, memorable music, and, most importantly, great cast. But there is something more that makes Ford's film really memorable - the characters presented very clearly. But why such a title? While watching the movie, one clearly notices that the title RIO GRANDE does not only refer to the famous river that separated the cavalrymen from Indians in Mexico, but has wider metaphorical extensions.

    The characters are very well developed throughout. Lieutanant Kirby Yorke (John Wayne), a northerner, lost the family 15 years earlier but never gives up finding a chance to rebuild the old relationship with his southern wife, Kathleen (Maureen O'Hara) and their son Jeff. His "rio grande" is duties and strict orders that make a barrier for a happy life within the family. Kathleen Yorke tries to get her son out of the cavalry; however, Jeff decides to protect honor rather than his comfort. She also aims at rebuilding the family ties with Kirby but is aware that it requires much sacrifice. Their relationship is built upon a high respect for the freedom of both and a very delicate love between a man and a woman. Jeff (Claude Jarman), their son, attempts to do right and seeks for the honorable deeds. The blink of ambition in his eyes is noticeable in every scene with him. There are also other characters that the movie shows in a very psychological light (consider Travis Tyree played by Ben Johnson).

    The cast give memorable performances but the pair of John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara shine above all. Wayne seems to have been born for the role and, although he played in two previous parts of John Ford's cavalry trilogy (FORT APACHE and SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON), he gives his best performance in RIO GRANDE. Wayne wonderfully emphasizes grandeur, feeling of duty and a husband who reflects on his past mistakes in marriage. Maureen O'Hara has something aristocratic in her behavior as well as in her appearance, which helps her portray a southern lady who used to live a rich life on a plantation. She also stresses her attempts to rebuild the past mistakes; however, she seems to be driven by completely different factors.

    Music is absolutely wonderful for this genre. The ballads supply the movie with sentimental mood. Yes, they are deadly sentimental, but they in no way make you sad but rather lifted to high emotions. Here comes to my mind a very poetic scene when Wayne and O'Hara are serenaded by troop soldiers on one moonlit night. Their faces strongly express profound emotions and nostalgia for the better life together. This is so well played that anybody who sees the pair will be able to deduce some reflections from their faces.

    Some people said that the Apaches are showed as real monsters in RIO GRANDE. It is important to state here that they are showed exactly in the way they were perceived rather than what they were really like. These were very "wild" tribes in the eyes of the white people and that is what the film shows. As a matter of fact, both the Apaches and the cavalrymen defended their values and John Ford did not forget about it.

    And coming back to the thrilling atmosphere of the movie, there is one more aspect that needs to be mentioned - the locations. The Monument Valley supplies the scenes with authenticity as well as drives viewers into a wonderful mood. It simply leaves an unfading trace in memory as do the cast, the content, and everything about RIO GRANDE.

    What to say at the end?... The last part of Ford's cavalry trilogy, though 55 years old, is a classic attempt to bring all that is valuable onto screen - HISTORY MEETS SINGLE INDIVIDUALS! Aren't our lives constructed in such a way that we all have our own "rio grande", such a barrier that closes us from happiness? I leave this universal question open to every open minded reader as John Ford implicitly did more than 50 years ago to every open minded viewer. Anyway, the film is unarguably worth seeing!
    helpful•53
    13
    • marcin_kukuczka
    • Jul 24, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 15, 1950 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Rio Bravo
    • Filming locations
      • Colorado River, Moab, Utah, USA
    • Production company
      • Argosy Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,214,899 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Harry Carey Jr., Ben Johnson, Victor McLaglen, J. Carrol Naish, and Chill Wills in Rio Grande (1950)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Rio Grande (1950) officially released in India in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    New & Upcoming Superhero Movies and Series
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    Fall TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list
    View image
    Photos
    These Stars Are on the Rise
    See the gallery

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more access
    Sign in for more access
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.