Fort Apache (1948): cast, story & where to watch
1948 · Film · ★ 7
Released in 1948, Fort Apache is a western film directed by John Ford, running about 125 minutes. “John Ford's Masterpiece of the Frontier!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Owen Thursday sees his new posting to the desolate Fort Apache as a chance to claim the military honour which he believes is rightfully his. Arrogant, obsessed with military form and ultimately self-destructive, he attempts to destroy the Apache chief Cochise after luring him across the border from Mexico, against the advice of his subordinates.
Who’s in it. Fort Apache stars John Wayne as Capt. Kirby York, Henry Fonda as Lt. Col. Owen Thursday, Shirley Temple as Philadelphia Thursday and Pedro Armendáriz as Sgt. Beaufort, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.0/10, Fort Apache has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $3M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on YouTube TV and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Fort Apache page.
If you liked it. Fans of Fort Apache tend to enjoy The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Django Unchained, Once Upon a Time in the West and For a Few Dollars More.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Fort Apache (1948)?
- In US, Fort Apache is available to stream on YouTube TV, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Fort Apache worth watching?
- Fort Apache holds an audience score of 7.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy western. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Fort Apache?
- Fort Apache stars John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Shirley Temple, Pedro Armendáriz and Ward Bond.
- When was Fort Apache released?
- Fort Apache was released in 1948, with a runtime of about 125 minutes.