HONDO

US, 1954, 85 minutes, Colour.
John Wayne, Geraldine Page, Ward Bond, Michael Pate.
Directed by John Farrow.

Hondo is a short western, made at the same time as other John Wayne films like The High and the Mighty. Like The High and the Mighty, it was withdrawn from distribution for a great number of years.

The film shows a more humane John Wayne. He is given stronger dramatic sequences, even poetic dialogue, which he speaks in his own fashion but persuasively. Geraldine Page was introduced in this film and also got an Oscar nomination. She was to win the Oscar over 30 years later for A Trip to Bountiful. Ward Bond is in support in his usual kind of role as a scout. Michael Pate portrays the Apache chief, Vittorio (also seen in the telemovie of 1997, Buffalo Soldiers).

The film was made in 3D. It was directed by John Farrow, who was successful with many action dramas in the '40s and '50s. The film is sympathetic to the Indian cause - a move that began in the late '40s, early '50s with such films as Devil's Doorway and Broken Arrow. It paved the way for more insight into white treatment of the Indian nations in the films of the '60s like Little Big Man and Soldier Blue.

1. Interesting and entertaining western? Familiar material, well done?

2. The visuals of the American west, the homesteads, the forts, the desert, the mountains? The musical score?
3. The military, the fights against the Indians? The Indians, the reservations, the betrayals by the whites, the breaking of treaties? The Indians and their respect for bravery, their defensiveness, their being massacred by the whites? The role of the Apaches, of the chief, Vittorio?

4. John Wayne as Hondo Lane, the lone stranger, his reputation as a gunfighter, scout, survivor in the desert? His arrival at the homestead, the encounter with the woman, her lies about her husband, her hospitality, Sam? His feeling at home, warning her to get out? His dog and warning the boy not to pet it? His wisdom and experience? His philosophy of letting people make their own choices, whatever the consequences? His leaving the homestead, going to the fort, explaining the situation to the authorities? His meeting up with Buffalo Baker? Their riding out, the young military man from West Point, the decision to confront the Indians, the disaster and the deaths?

5. The wife, her growing up in the area, her marrying Ed, her lies about him, his being away, her promising his return? Her attraction towards Hondo, yet resistance? Giving him hospitality, allowing him to work with her son, train him? Her decision to stay? Her friendship with the Indians, the confrontation with Vittorio and his men, the bravery of Sam in the confrontation? Vittorio and his acceptance of this bravery, his visits, support? Hondo's return, the death of her husband? His wanting him to have died bravely? Her overhearing the conversation about the truth, her knowing that it was the truth? Her love for Hondo, wanting to go with him? Wanting him to tell the truth to her son, so that he would grow up knowing the truth? Her change of mind, the decision to go to California to start a new way of life? A pioneer woman, a woman of the West? Her character, qualities, her attraction towards Hondo?

6. Hondo, leaving the town, accompanied by Ed, Ed pulling his gun and Hondo shooting him? His lying to the woman about her husband's death? The discussions with Buffalo Baker, the truth? His principle of telling the truth? His going to tell the boy, the woman interrupting him? Going West and beginning again with the family?

7. The boy, in the homestead, his chores, love for his mother, absent father? Bonding with Hondo, discussions, experiences, the fishing, the dog and its biting? Hondo not telling him the truth? Their going to California?

8. The people in the town, Ed, no good, violent, wanting to shoot Hondo, his death?

9. The military, the scout, Buffalo Baker and his role, friendship with Hondo, accompanying the military? The young man from West Point, his single-mindedness about orders, the massacre, his return?

10. The Apaches, their treatment, Vittorio, his leadership, confrontation with the woman and Sam, his admiration for them, giving Sam a new name, visiting them? The inevitability of his death and the wiping out of the Apaches?