F I L M G H O U L

Fort Apache (John Ford, 1948)

This film would have been perfect had it ended with the regiment getting decimated by the Apache. Because they do get decimated. And it’s fantastic, ecstatic, unexpected.  But then, Hollywood ideology obliging, Fort Apache goes on for 5 frustrating minutes, John Wayne gets patriotic and the smile is wiped off my face. That said, 5 films into Ford, I’m loving everything I’m seeing.

My Darling Clementine (John Ford, 1946)

Cloak and Dagger (Fritz Lang, 1946)

Hangmen Also Die! (Fritz Lang, 1943)

Man Hunt (Fritz Lang, 1941)

Ministry of Fear (Fritz Lang, 1944)

Secret Beyond the Door (Fritz Lang, 1948)

Le sang des bêtes (Georges Franju, 1948)

The Big Sleep (Howard Hawks, 1946)

Day of Wrath (Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1943)