Hondo

Army scout Hondo Lane (played by John Wayne) stumbles across an isolated homestead in the middle of Apache territory. The inhabitants – a woman and her son – believe they are safe, as there is a treaty with the Apaches. Lane knows better though, as the Army has just broken the treaty, causing the Apache to seek revenge on settlers. Despite being a scout for the US Army, Lane has sympathies for the Apaches, having been married to a native American woman and living with her people for five years. With divided loyalties he now has to tread a fine line.

STARS: John Wayne, Geraldine Page, Ward Bond

83 min | Drama, Romance, War | 1953 | Color

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Classic John Wayne – And if You DON'T Like Him, DON'T Watch the Movie
Almost 9 years ago, I reviewed "Hondo" here; and, at the time, I did not think it was a "great" western. However, maybe I have "grown up" since then; because is truly one of not only John Wayne's best performances, it is also also one of the all time best westerns.

I could spend hours analyzing the symbolism in the Oscar-nominated script or the beautiful interaction between John Wayne and Geraldine Page, but that is a subject for film and acting classes and would also require spoilers. I will admit to offering one hint as to the turning point in "Hondo Lane's" life. If occurs immediately after Wayne is returned by the Apaches to the Lowe ranch.

John Wayne IS Hondo Lane, a half-breed dispatch rider for the US Cavalry. Wayne is first seen walking onto a ranch owned by Mrs. Angie Lowe (Geraldine Page, in an Oscar-nominated performance). Wayne's first appearance has all the moxie of his star-making performance in 'Stagecoach'. While not a man of few words, Hondo's are all carefully measured and to the point. He is concerned about Mrs. Lowe and her son. Moreover, Hondo is attracted to Angie, even though she is a married woman.

A lot has been said here and elsewhere about Wayne's acting ability. All I can say is, 'If you DON'T like Wayne, DON'T watch his movies.' I don't go out of the way to see movies with actors I don't like; and, when I do, and the actor surprises me in a good way, I say so. It seems many people see Wayne films JUST to belittle Wayne's performance. Don't you have anything BETTER to do? Wayne's performance here is as carefully measured as his words. Like most great actors, Wayne let's his face and eyes do most of the work. However, here Wayne has a dandy scene in which he first reveals his attraction to Angie. His 'I could find you in the dark, Mrs. Lowe; and I'm only PART Indian' monologue is one of the most passionate and erotic pieces of work I've seen in films from any period. That Wayne actually found Geraldine Page repulsive is even greater testimony to Wayne's acting here. 'Hondo' ranks as one of Wayne's great performances. Page is equally skillfull. Special note should be given to Michael Pate as Apache chief. His scenes are alternately menacing and touching, no small for ANY actor.

In my previous review of the movie, I criticized the ending, saying that "Hondo Lane" seems to "get lost in the crowd." That is actually the point of the movie. Watch it; and, hopefully you will understand what I mean. If not, I hope it does not take you as long as I to "get it."

I give "Hondo" a "10".

"No Wonder The Apaches Call Him Enverrado, It Means Bad Tempered"
It don't get much better for western fans than a Louis L'Amour story brought to the screen by John Wayne. I'm sure when this novel came out, the Duke saw it and said this one's for me as it was his Wayne-Fellows Production company that bought it and produced it.

John Wayne must have been some sight on the big screen when Hondo came out in 3-D as originally filmed. That entrance of him walking up to Geraldine Page's small ranch must have put his large frame practically in the laps of the theater audience.

Wayne plays Hondo Lane an army scout who is part Indian himself. His horse died and he's on foot when he arrives at Page's ranch where her husband is gone and she's left with young son Lee Aaker. There's an immediate attraction between the two of them, the sexual tension fairly crackles, Page hasn't had any male companionship for a while. A bond also forms between Lee Aaker and the Duke.

For one of John Wayne's major films, Hondo has a remarkably short running time as compared to some of the epic westerns he did for John Ford. In fact Ford was slated for this film, but dropped out and John Farrow took his place. In the less than 90 minute running time for Hondo, it deals with Page's no good husband Leo Gordon and the trouble the Apaches are giving the local settlers.

Playing the head of the Apaches, Chief Vittorio, is Australian actor Michael Pate. He plays the role with dignity and strength, much like Jeff Chandler as Cochise in Broken Arrow. Indians were now being seen as three dimensional human beings on the screen, Pate's characterization certainly helped that trend along. In contrast to Pate is Rudolfo Acosta as Silva whose hate for the white man crackles on the strength. His hand to hand duel with Wayne is one of the high points of all John Wayne westerns.

Michael Pate was the only one from the original cast who made it to the short lived Hondo television series. Hondo remains the only one of two John Wayne films that got made into a television series, the other being The Cowboys. Wayne's Batjac productions did the Hondo television series with Ralph Taeger as Hondo Lane. It lasted for two seasons but got canceled when TV went through one of its periodic anti-violence kicks.

The cast included a whole bunch of John Wayne regulars like Ward Bond, James Arness, Paul Fix in addition to others mentioned. No wonder Geraldine Page fresh from the Actor's Studio in New York felt an outsider in this bunch. Reportedly she didn't get along with Wayne on the set. But I'm sure her antagonism must have softened when in her motion picture debut she got an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Hondo is one of John Wayne's classic roles it should not be missed by any who call themselves fans of the Eternal Duke.