Lieutenant Colonel Owen Thursday, a demoted Civil War general, reports to Fort Apache, a remote U.S. cavalry outpost, along with his daughter Philadelphia. He clashes with Captain Kirby York, the second-in-command, who disagrees with Thursday's aggressive approach to dealing with the local Apaches.

Fort Apache
A seasoned war captain's authority is challenged when a rising lieutenant colonel assumes command at Fort Apache, disregarding the cultural norms and customs of the native people.