Don't Make a Scene: She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

The Story: "Don't ever apologize. It's a sign of weakness."

I love that line from John Ford's She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. Because it's a double-edged sabre. It's a sign of command—only Capt. Nathan Brittles (John Wayne) says it in the movie, but it's quoted a lot by the troops. But, only he can say it and mean it. It may sound like a cavalier thing to say. Bluster. Brio. Macho posturing. Toxic Masculinity (in the phrase of the day). 

And it might be if it was taken at face value. Sometimes, in a John Ford film, there will be a troubling turn of phrase, that flies in the face of the societal ethics that Ford espouses (and personally defied). "Don't ever apologize. It's a sign of weakness" is as dumb a phrase as "Love means never having to say you're sorry" ("the" phrase from Erich Segal's "Love Story"). Of COURSE, love means saying you're sorry—the person you love should be the FIRST person you say you're sorry to (for having to put up with your crap)—but (I believe it to mean) love means that the other person should know that you're already sorry, instinctively. You shouldn't HAVE to say you're sorry. But, say it the hell anyway, or else you're a jerk. Or else love at first sight won't last through the second thought.

So. "Don't ever apologize. It's a sign of weakness." I say that (in my best Wayne drawl) and I expect to get smirks, but I get shocked looks—"You really believe that?" No. No, I don't. But, I do believe in what I THINK Brittles is saying—"Don't do anything to apologize for." "Don't screw up, so you HAVE to apologize." That's what I think it means.

But, only Brittles can say it. Everybody else in the movie says "I'm sorry" a lot.

Because they have to. They haven't learned yet. But, they will....

...if they live.

The Set-up: Custer and his entire troop has just been killed at the Little Big Horn. And the Native Americans are getting restless; the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes are defying their reservation limits and going on war-parties. Settlers are dying. Bad timing for Cavalry Captain Nathan Brittles (John Wayne), set for retirement from his post at Fort Starke in a few days. In that time he has to quell the rebellion, transport his commander's wife (Mildred Natwick) and niece (Joanne Dru) to get on a stage due East, and keep his men in line, two of whom—1st Lt. Flint Cohill (John Agar) and 2nd Lt. Ross Pennell (Harry Carey Jr.)—are making fools of themselves over said niece, Olivia Dandridge. Not a fine way to go out. Not at all.

And now, a sortie to get the women to their stage has revealed more death. And under the cover of darkness, a hurriedly prepared funeral is prepared...with a makeshift confederate flag for a cavalryman who once fought for the other side. 

Atten-hut!

DR. O'LAUGHLIN: "I am the resurrection and the life, sayeth the Lord. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

DR. O'LAUGHLIN: And whoso believeth in me shall never die. I know that my redeemer liveth ...and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth."

COL. NATHAN BRITTLES: I commend to your keeping, sir...

COL. BRITTLES: ...the souls of John Sudro and his wife, Martha.

COL. BRITTLES: I also commend to your keeping the soul of Rome Clay...

COL. BRITTLES: ...late brigadier general, Confederate States Army.

COL. BRITTLES: Known to his comrades here, sir...

COL. BRITTLES: ...as Trooper John Smith, United States Cavalry.

COL. BRITTLES: A gallant soldier and a Christian gentleman.

Ready. 

Aim.

Fire!

Aim! Fire!

Aim! Fire!
Order! Time.

SGT. TYREE: With your permission, sir?

COL. BRITTLES: Granted. Bugler.

BUGLER: Thank you, sir.
TROOPER: We thank you, sir!

LT. FLINT COHILL: I wouldn't go any further if I were you.

LT. FLINT COHILL: You're almost across the footlights now.

LT. COHILL: Probably a hundred hostiles out there. Watching every move you're making.

LT. COHILL: Think that's a whippoorwill?

LT. COHILL: Come on, Olivia, let's go back.

OLIVIA DANDRIDGE: I can walk back alone, thank you.

LT. COHILL: Olivia.

LT. COHILL: The old man says, "Don't ever apologize. It's a sign of weakness."

LT. COHILL: But I'm sorry...for everything I've said and done.

LT. COHILL: Oh Honey, I love you so m...
SECOND LT. ROSS PERNELL: Alright Flint, let's get it over with! Pull your blouse.

LT. COHILL: Are you crazy, Mister?

SECOND LT. PERNELL: Don't pull rank on me, you've been green-eyed since she put on that yellow ribbon.
OLIVIA: Ross, please...

LT. COHILL: Button up that shirt, mister!

SECOND LT. PERNELL: You can sneer all you want to, but keep your paws off my girl.

LT. COHILL: Alright, mister, I'll accommodate you. Let's step...

OLIVIA: Ross, don't. This isn't...

COL. BRITTLES: I quite agree!

COL. BRITTLES: Button your shirt, Mr. Pennell!

COL. BRITTLES: I thought better of you.

COL. BRITTLES: Four years out here and still acting like a wet-eared ca-det on the Hudson.

COL. BRITTLES: What is this all about, Mr. Cohill?

LT. COHILL: Sir, I-I decline to answer. Respectfully.

COL. BRITTLES: Mr. Cohill...

COL. BRITTLES: ...it is a bitter thing indeed...to learn that an officer who's had nine years' experience in the Cavalry...

COL. BRITTLES: ...the officer to whom I'm surrendering command of the troop in two more days...

COL. BRITTLES: ...should have so little grasp of leadership...

COL. BRITTLES: ...as to allow himself to be chivvied into a go at fisticuffs...

COL. BRITTLES: ...while taps still sounds over a brave man's grave.

COL. BRITTLES: God help this troop when I'm gone.

SECOND LT. PERNELL: Sir, it...

COL. BRITTLES: You're at attention, Mr. Pennell!

OLIVIA: Captain, it was a misunderstan...
COL. BRITTLES: You get back to the troop area.

COL. BRITTLES: Mr. Cohill, you will have the men build their squad fires higher.

COL. BRITTLES: Make the fullest show of bedding down for the night.

COL. BRITTLES: Then we're sneaking out. Heading for the river...

COL. BRITTLES: ...going back.

LT. COHILL: Sorry, Ross.

SECOND LT. PERNELL: I'm sorry, Flint.


She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

Words by Frank S. Nugent and Laurence Stallings

Pictures by Winton C. Hoch (with consultant Natalie Kalmus) and John Ford

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is available on DVD from Warner Home Video.