There’s nothing like a good film to sink your teeth into, and a Western starring John Wayne has recently been deemed a “masterpiece” by viewers. The much-loved film is currently streaming on BBC iPlayer for free so, if you haven’t seen it, now is your time to get involved on the action.

If you love a Western, but are looking for something different to watch that stands the test of time, it may be worth taking a look at the BBC’s classic offering. After all, it’s free, deemed to be fantastic and will mix things up a little amid all your festive viewing over the next few weeks.

Fans of John Wayne may also be interested to know what he liked too. Previously, he revealed his top four films of all time to inspire others to get watching.

None the less, a particular film featuring the actor previously came up on Reddit when someone simply posted a picture of the cast of the film. The black and white image was shared alongside the simple caption: “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949).”

Ever since, people have been chiming in to say how much they love the film. It’s clearly a classic that’s stood the test of time, with people still adoring it decades later.

One person said: “I love this movie. It’s my favourite performance of Wayne’s. It’s so beautifully filmed and I love how it balances the overt masculinity of men and the stoic nature of women.”

Another wrote: “One of my favourite John Wayne movies.” A third added: “A fantastic Western. What little it asks of Wayne he delivers in spades. The story and the characterisation are top notch too!”

Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: “A must-watch.” Someone else also chimed in with: “A classic.”

Elsewhere on social media, another fan noted: “This was Wayne’s favourite performance. Watched it last week, and I agree it might be his best.”

One more noted: “I really enjoy Yellow Ribbon so much. I think it’s a beautiful film with a lot of great moments.”

What’s the plot?

If you haven’t seen it, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is a 1949 American Western film directed by John Ford, which stars the likes of John Wayne, Joanne Dru, John Agar and Ben Johnson. It’s the second film in Ford’s “Cavalry Trilogy”, along with Fort Apache (1948) and Rio Grande (1950).

According to reports, it was one of the most expensive Westerns made up to that time. It was named after “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon”, which was a popular song among the U.S. military.

In a nutshell, the plot centres on retiring U.S. Cavalry Captain Nathan Brittles (Wayne) who’s on his final patrol. He is faced with trying to prevent an Indian uprising, while also ensuring his commanding officer’s wife and niece are taken to safety.

Viewers get to see Brittles come to terms with the end of his military life, while he manages young officers and tries to deal with the tensions building. Over the years, the film has been celebrated for its gorgeous technicolor, emotional depth and how it explores themes of ageing and duty.

It was a major hit at the time of release, and it’s clear the love for the film hasn’t died. People admit they still enjoy watching it decades down the line.