3 Godfathers [DVD] [1948]

This oft-filmed story is from a sentimental novel "The Three Godfathers" written by Peter B. Kyne. John Ford who had earlier made a silent version MARKED MEN (1919) with Harry Carey. Another remake THE THREE GODFATHERS (1936) was a highly acclaimed version directed by Richard Boleslawski. The 3 GODFATHERS (1948) reviewed here is noted for being Ford's first colour film and for its opening touching dedication to one of John Ford's early favourites: `To the memory of Harry Carey' - `Bright star of the early Western Sky.'

Three bank robbers Robert Marmaduke Hightower (John Wayne), Pedro `Pete' Roca Fuerte (Pedro Armendáriz) and William Kearney `The Abilene Kid' (Harry Carey Jr.) ride into the town of Welcome Arizona and rob the local bank on trying to make good their escape they hadn't reckoned on the tenacity of the marshal for the territory of Arizona Perley `Buck' Sweet (Ward Bond) and his deputy Curly (Hank Worden). Forming a posse they hop on a train, hoping to ambush the outlaws at Mojave Tanks. The three bad-men arrive just in time to see the train coming with the posse onboard. Waterless they decide to head north for Terrapin Tanks across a beautiful but hostile desert, hoping that the marshal would figure that they would head for the easier route to Apache Wells.

On arrival at Terrapin Tanks they discover that a greenhorn settler, has left his heavily pregnant wife in a covered wagon and had destroyed the Tanks with dynamite whilst trying to find water. The mother (Mildred Natwick) dies shortly after giving birth to a baby boy, but not before naming the boy Robert William Pedro Hightower after the outlaws and making them Godfathers to her newborn son and further promising to take him to the town of New Jerusalem. Having earlier lost their horses they struggle on, following a Biblical like Star across the desert on foot desperately trying to fulfil their promise to a dying woman. Closing in on the three godfathers is the ever-persistent Marshal Sweet. Will they or wont they make it to New Jerusalem with the newborn boy-child?

A great musical score by Richard Hageman with "The Streets of Laredo" filtering through as does once or twice a hint of the music from STAGECOACH (1939). Which is not surprising as Richard Hageman was responsible for that too! Nearly, if not all of the players here are Fords usual friends or favourites known affectionately as "Ford's Rolling Stock" many straight from Ford's previous film FORT APACHE (1948) all turning in good performances? Perhaps best of the lot was fittingly reserved for Harry Carey Jr. Perhaps it was one of Ford's little jokes or all that was available at the time but the baby boy in the film was obviously a girl (Amelia Yelda)!

Not one of John Ford's best Westerns judged by his own very high standards but never-the-less a very enjoyable one at anytime, but perhaps best of all during the Christmas period! This 2004 Warner Bros. DVD Release includes the Theatrical Trailer.

John Wayne is quite different in this film. All the characters' have a humourous side to them.
The plot is a nice one and old-fashioned. Enjoyable to those who like westerns or even John Wayne himself.

I, myself, am not a fan of John Wayne but this film has changed my mind about him quite a bit. His character was good fun to watch. I must watch other films that he's in.

Although when "The Three Godfathers", had been released in 1948, met a string of castigated reviews, this film is a true must for every fan of John Ford's films.Actually Ford has tackled twice with the same subject during the Hollywood silent period, usind in one of them his real life long friend, Harry Carey. So, the three godfathers come to be a dedication to Harry Carey, since during the main titles, one can see " To Harry Carey, a star of the early western sky" Moreover, The Three Godfathers introduce for the first time the son of Harry Carrey, Harry Carey Jr. in a magnificent performance accompanied by those of John Wayne (one of the best of his long-standing career) and Pedro Armendariz,Jr. The magnificent screenplay is signed by Frank S. Nuggent and Lawrence Stallings. The film discusses a real-life story in which three bandits found a dying woman in the desert and helped her to bear her child. Her last wish was these three to become godfathers of te child. I won't go on telling all the story, but i will finish with the lyrics sung at the end of the film "Shall we gather at the river, a beautiful beautiful river, gathered with the Saints at the river that flows by the throne of God?" That's all folks. I hope we 'll enjoy this magnificent film, and give way to many tears.