Rio Grande

A cavalry officer at a frontier fort finds his sense of duty deeply conflicted by the arrival of his son and estranged wife. The story dramatically unfolds in John Ford’s Western film, starring John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara and Ben Johnson.

Rio Grande is a programme presented as a Western movie. It falls squarely within the classic genre, offering the kind of frontier setting that’s become synonymous with the title. The story follows a cavalry officer who finds himself caught between his sense of duty and his affection for his family. The tension spikes when his son and his estranged wife unexpectedly arrive at the fort where he’s stationed, forcing him to juggle military responsibilities with personal loyalties. The film was directed by John Ford, whose name is closely linked with the Western tradition. It features a cast that includes John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara and Ben Johnson, each bringing their familiar screen personas to the tale. Overall, Rio Grande delivers a straightforward narrative about honour, responsibility and the pull of home, all set against the backdrop of a remote frontier outpost.