Rio Grande

John Wayne stars in the third instalment of John Ford's trilogy detailing the post-Civil War period, following 'Fort Apache' (1948) and 'She Wore a Yellow Ribbon' (1949). Lieutenant Kirby Yorke (Wayne) is stationed at a remote cavalry post where his estranged son, Jefferson (Claude Jarman Jr.), enlists in order to prove himself to his father. As the post comes under increasing threat from the Apache Indians Yorke's ex-wife, Kathleen (Maureen O'Hara), arrives to return her underage son back home, however, Jefferson is adamant about staying put.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant York's superior gives him the order to cross the Rio Grande into Mexico and eliminate the Apache threat once and for all.