Full of the usual desert beauty but lacking the climatic battles, cavalry charges, high-speed wagon chases, or gunfights typical of the director, Ford's 'Christmas' western is a charming tale of redemption riffing on the Biblical tale of the three Wise Men. In one of the few films in which John Wayne is a 'bad guy" (or at least a malefactor), the Duke and his pardners in crime Pedro (Pedro Armendáriz) and William (Harry Carey Jr.) knock over a bank in 'Welcome' Arizona and then hightail it into the desert with a posse in pursuit. Low on water, on two horses, and with William wounded, the desperados end up at parched water hole where they find a pregnant woman, who dies shortly after giving birth to the titular trio's godson. Thirsty and increasingly desperate, the three struggle to care for the baby and to escape relentless arid sands as the posse closes in. The script and story is excellent (although the final scenes are a bit soft and sentimental compared to what goes before). In addition to the three principals, the great cast includes many of Ford's 'stock players' including Hank Warden ('Mose' in 'The Searchers' (1956)), Wayne's buddy Ward Bond (as 'Sheriff B. Sweet'), Jane Darnell (in a more lighthearted role than her vindictive 'Ma Grier' in Wellman's "The Oxbow Incident" (1943)), Ben Johnson (one of my favorite Western stalwarts), and Francis Ford (the director's brother). The film is an excellent blend of humor, pathos, and tension highlighted by great characters and outstanding desert cinematography (filmed in the Mojave Desert and around Death Valley). A great addition to anyone's Christmas movie collection, especially if you want a nice hot, dusty, break from the usual frosty 'winter wonderlands'.
Addendum, Xmas 2021: I dropped my rating by two points after watching the 1929 ('Hell's Heroes') and 1936 ('Three Godfathers') versions of Peter B. Kyne's quasi-biblical fable. They are much grittier and less sentimental than Wayne's version and lack the implausible and almost schmaltzy 'feel good' ending that I felt was the weakest part of the later film.
Addendum, Xmas 2021: I dropped my rating by two points after watching the 1929 ('Hell's Heroes') and 1936 ('Three Godfathers') versions of Peter B. Kyne's quasi-biblical fable. They are much grittier and less sentimental than Wayne's version and lack the implausible and almost schmaltzy 'feel good' ending that I felt was the weakest part of the later film.