Hondo

A hard‑boiled cavalry scout, accompanied by his feral dog, takes on the task of protecting a woman and her child. They repeatedly repel brutal raids launched by marauding Apache fighters through harsh desert terrain and relentless gunfire in this stark Western.

Hondo is a Western film presented as a programme. It falls squarely within the classic American frontier genre, delivering the kind of action and tension typical of mid‑century cowboy pictures. The story centres on a tough cavalry scout who finds himself caught up in a violent confrontation on the frontier, and showcases the rugged landscapes typical of the genre. The scout, a hardened and pragmatic soldier, is accompanied by a fierce, untamed dog. Together they become the protectors of a lone woman and her young child, who are suddenly threatened by a series of savage raids carried out by marauding Apache warriors. Their mission is to fend off these relentless attacks and keep the family safe. The dynamic between the scout and his canine companion drives much of the tension, as the dog’s feral instincts complement the man’s gritty resolve, with equal determination. The woman and her child, caught in the crossfire, depend entirely on this unlikely duo for survival against the relentless onslaught of the Apache raiders. The picture features John Wayne in the role of the stoic scout, while Geraldine Page portrays the beleaguered woman. Their performances anchor the narrative, presenting a straightforward tale of defence and perseverance set against the harsh backdrop of the western frontier, for the audience.