The Searchers

Rating:
Summary: A CLASSIC WESTERN...
Review: This film, directed by the legendary John Ford, and starring John Wayne in the leading role is a western that has achieved mythic proportions. Touted as one of the greatest westerns ever filmed, it is, I will grant you, an entertaining film. In it, John Wayne plays the anti-hero, Ethan Edwards, an ex-confederate soldier, who goes to Texas in 1868 to visit his brother and his family on their ranch in Texas. While visiting, a report of marauding Indians in adjacent land draws out the Texas Rangers and Ethan, who joins them. When they discover that a decoy has been used to lure them away from the settlement, they hurry back, only to find that Ethan's family was masacred and his two nieces gone, taken captive by Comanche Indians.

Ethan goes to the rescue, joined by Martin Pawley (Jeffrey Hunter), a friend of the family who is himself part Indian. After a while, they discover that only the younger niece, Debbie, has survived. Their quest to bring Debbie back, or so Martin thinks, takes place over a period of five years. At some point along the way, Ethan's relentless quest for Debbie seems to undergo a transition from rescue mission to execution squad in the belief that it is better to be dead than to have "gone Injun".

The film suffers somewhat from revisionist history and its own stereotypic portrayal of Indians. They are portrayed as either savages or buffoons fit only to be the butt of jokes. Moreover, the character of Ethan is an enigma, as he changes from heartbroken uncle to death squad killer in his relentless search for his surviving niece. Ethan embodies hatred and racism, concepts that are tantalizingly laid out but never fully examined or explored, which is why Ethan remains an enigma.

Debbie, played as a child by Lana Wood and as a teenager by Lana's older sister, Natalie Wood, is a symbol around which Ethan's character gets its raison d'etre. It is she who gives him the will to go on, whether it be for the right or wrong reasons is another issue. Natalie Wood is lovely as the older Debbie, though the makeup has to go, as it serves to take away from the rusticity of the film and jerk the viewer back to Hollywood. This was typical of films in those days. No matter what the situation, the women were always in full makeup.

Still, notwithstanding some of the film's political incorrectness and incongruent production values, it is still an entertaining film and about as good as westerns get. John Wayne is memorable as Ethan Edwards. Handsome Jeffrey Hunter gives an excellent performance as Martin Pawley. Ward Bond, as captain of the Texas Rangers, is terrific. The rest of the supporting cast give performances that vary in quality. Still, this film remains the quintessential western flick and one worth watching.

Rating:
Summary: What is Ethan Really Searching For and What Does he Find?
Review: One of the reasons that The Searchers stands out so prominently in my mind and heart, like those soaring and almost achingly beautiful monoliths in Monument Valley, is because of what it has taught me about understanding and cherishing my own humanity, and how denying the humanity of other human beings really just degrades the degrader.

Upon seeing the movie again several years ago, I realized the importance for the first time of the fact that John Wayne's character, Ethan, came to the West after having fought as a rebel officer in the Civil War. That his commitment to fighting for the South had more to do with racism than state's rights becomes evident as soon as Native Americans enter the picture, especially as murderers of his kin and kidnappers of his young relative, Debby (played later in the movie by Natalie Wood).

This terrible event, and others in the movie, seems to justify and fuel his racism and propel and maintain him on his five-year search to find and destroy both Scar, the Comanche leader who led the raid, and Debby -- whom he now considers on a par with the Native Americans, as being less than human and not worthy of life itself.

But then there's Marty, Debby's mixed-blood brother and Ethan's companion and conscience on The Search, a figure about whom Ethan has great ambivalence, simultaneously tolerating and reviling him. I think Marty represents both a wall and a bridge between Ethan and his lost humanity, symbolized by Debby. A wall, because he physically stands between Ethan and Debby when Ethan pulls out his gun to kill her when they finally meet. A bridge, because Marty's stubborn love for his sister, his willingness to put his life on the line for her, and NOT a burning hatred for the Comanche, finally forces Ethan to fully acknowledge Marty's humanity despite his mixed blood (a change of heart that Ethan demonstrates by willing his possessions to Marty). And in granting Marty's humanity, he ultimately crosses the bridge and acknowledges Debby's humanity; when Ethan finally has the chance to kill her, he embraces her instead and takes her home.

What Ethan has found, what he has recovered, is not just a young relative who has been through great separation and pain, but his own humanity.

The brilliant and iconographic final scene of the movie, with Ethan standing in the doorway of the homestead and then walking away, alone, always left me moved, but unsatisfied. I didn't want Ethan to be alone now that he was whole again. But, then again, his being whole is the central point, not his being alone. Rather than feeling frustrated by his apparent return to solitude, I finally realized that it was fitting: as Ethan now addresses himself to the world as a complete human being, he may fight again, but never on the side of the dehumanizers. He has finally left his racism behind, just as he left his rebel uniform behind.

In closing, I was reminded of The Searchers when I read an article recently about military chaplains. I had always assumed that they were there to somehow bless the violent proceedings, to symbolize that "God is on our side." But that's not how they saw it. As a group, they saw their mission as being to preserve the humanity of the men and women in their charge -- a key part of which was asserting the humanity of the enemy. One told of walking by two pilots talking about taking out "targets." He stopped and asked if the "targets" were people. When the pilots nodded "Yes," he said "And don't you forget it." I bet that chaplain just might be a fan of The Searchers...

Rating:
Summary: somewhat forgotten legend
Review: this great film is often disregarded and is given secondary priority to other films of this genre.

John Wayne gives one of his greatest performances as "Ethan Edwards", a role he often referred to as his most favorite. the basic premise of the film is simple but engrossing enough to maintain the viewer's attention. "Ethan's" two neices are kidnapped by savage indians after the indians slaughter their parents. "Ethan Edwards" goes after the indians who did it. to divulge any more of this great plot would insane.

this one should definitely be regarded as one of the great westerns in motion picture history. it is indeed one the the true legends.

as for the DVD, it has excellent sound, good picture and ample extra features including a 3 part documentary on the making of the picture. it also has a theatrical trailer, production notes and cast bios. any avid western fan should have include it in his DVD library.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Ford Film, but NOT his best!!! SCORE: 78 (out of 100)
Review: I am a John Ford fan and tried very hard to like this movie, but the only thing holding it together is John Wayne. The movie does have several strong points. First of all, this is Wayne's BEST performance alongside RED RIVER (1948). Wayne's antihero, Ethan Edwards, is by no means a character to idolize. Even Wayne himself did not like the character, but Ford was convinced that Wayne was the only one who could do the job - Henry Fonda was not the right choice for the role. Also, Ward Bond is very likeable as Reverend Clayton. Secondly, the cinematography is brilliant, which could almost be in the same league as LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962). The scenes where Ethan and Martin Pawley search for Debbie in New Mexico territory is a prime example. The sand dunes almost blow into your seat - almost perfectly in wide screen format. A final strength is Max Steiner's score. Nearly every scene has its share of high crescendos and low monotones. Before Ethan's family is attacked, the score has an eerie feeling. However, after Ethan returns home to find his family has been massacred, the score moves the audience to tears when they see his reaction.

The film does have MANY flaws too. First of all, the story behind Martin Pawley and Laurie Jorgenson is boring beyond belief. Secondly, humor is NOT an antedote to this movie. The story is a play on tragedy and should be treated as such. Mose Harper is about as annoying as Jar Jar Binks. There are also film editing problems. For example, when Ethan and Martin are in Scar's teepee, the very same Comanches across the way can be seen wandering twice. Historically, it is nice to view Monument Valley, but not when the story begins in Texas. Also, Ford should have reviewed his historical records on Comanches - he could have learned a few things. There are other tid bits, too. The war chief, Scar, even has body paint and Natalie Wood looks too gorgeous to be a Comanche captive - I didn't know that captives had makeup. Even the dead Comanche under the grave marker is breathing!! All in all, Wayne should be given credit where credit is due - he did know how to act, and this movie is the pinnacle of his long career. For a MORE superior Ford western, there is STAGECOACH (1939).

Pros: John Wayne, Ward Bond, cinematography, score
Cons: Film editing, story, characters, direction

SCORE: 78 (out of 100).

Rating:
Summary: Action-packed movie for the "Duke"!
Review: This is a superb classic,for all ages alike! Has everything you want in a western: Guns,Cowboys,Indians,Action,John Wayne! Everybody should see this movie,it was alot of fun!

Rating:
Summary: The heart of darkness
Review: John Wayne's finest hour, simply put. O ye of little faith in Duke's acting abilities: who else could have pulled this role off -- Ben Affleck? Brad Pitt? (Get my drift?) The world can be divided into two groups: those who think that Duke can act, and those who don't. It took me 40 years of livin' to realize that he could. Watch a John Wayne film with the sound off. Where do your eyes fall? On Duke. In short, he knew what he was doing up there, folks -- and so did John Ford, for that matter. This film, to me, really shows off Ford's genius in Putting the Camera Exactly Where It Belongs. The Cavalry Trilogy (etc.) are pleasures to watch -- stories aside -- because they are beautiful to behold. "Did John Ford start out as a painter?" my wife once asked. Orson Welles has more rewarding things to say about Ford's interior shots than I do, for sure. (And it seems to me that a lot of "Citizen Kane" is a tribute to Ford (who did his interior shots better than Welles). There. I said it!) Ah, but I drift, drift. I could never write a perfect review of "The Searchers" -- and Homer left Helen's beauty to your imagination. First viewing: great movie, but am I missing something? Second viewing: I think I'm getting it. Third viewing: eureka! (I also read a few articles in between 2 and 3.) Ethan's "change of heart" -- I can't see him talking about his every move before he makes it. Suspense. Maybe Ethan didn't know himself how he'd feel when/if he met up with his niece (or is it his niece). Wait and see. If someone spent 6 or 7 years searching for me, heck, I'd likely go with him or her too, no matter how welcome the "Comanch" made me feel. As reading Joyce's "Ulysses" taught me much on "how to read a book," watching (reading) "The Searchers" taught me how to read a film. Many of today's films sadly aren't worth the reading. "The Searchers" takes effort to realize, and I guess people don't want to think to make the puzzle pieces fall into place. But what I like most about this film is that it's an unbridled journey into one man's soul; nothing is held back. Duke unleashed! He never made a better film. For those who don't like Vera Miles's performance: how the heck would YOU have acted? like a refined, urbane teenager? (Just how old was she?) Sure, 10 minutes could be shaved off this film, but let's not quibble. It's a Work of Art, and should be treated as such. A towering, if slightly flawed masterpiece by John Ford is better than most others' utter successes. Watch "The Searchers," and tell others to do so.

Rating:
Summary: That'll be the day
Review: Without a doubt, this is THE greatest western of all-time. This is John Wayne at his best, as an embittered former confederate seeking revenge against a tribe of Comanche that massacred his brother's family. A beautifully woven tale of Wayne's relentless pursuit of this tribe and the only surviving member of the original attack, Wayne's niece played by Natalie Wood. He's accompanied by Marty, played by Jeffery Hunter. Great action, suspense and comic relief throughout. As far as the racial overtones are concerned, one only have to remember that this is period piece taking place in Texas, circa 1868.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Greatest films of all time
Review: John Ford's classic still stands the test of time

Rating:
Summary: A picture that moves you again and again.
Review: This is hands-down the best John Wayne movie ever. And that is saying a lot. It is unbelievable to me that people would take issue, take the PC stance and say that this movie protrays Native Americans in a bad light. At the end of the film, Ethan has given up his hatred and has faced up to the decisions he made in life. He has accepted his half-breed nephew and chose to not kill his niece after searching and finding her after so many hate-filled vigilante years. Why do people want to ignore that our past was filled with prejudice and hatred on both sides--the white man who came to the Americas and the Native Americans who lived here? Why do we ask that movies portray the past other than what it was? The simple, terrible fact is that the whites and the Native American peoples did not get along. It is as old as the ages. If anything, this movie portrays in a rather realistic way the problems between the two cultures. It did exist and it does no one good to ignore that rift. We learn from history by honest rendering, not from being politically correct.

Rating:
Summary: Greatness may be disturbing.
Review: The Searchers is among the finest Westerns ever made. It is so good it's few small flaws tend to stand out. As far as the critisism that it is a racist film: the answer is that yes it is. In fact, that's the whole point. It seeks to hold up a mirror for white Americans. It is not "like" Birth of a Nation, it is, rather, John Ford's version of Birth of a Nation. (There would be some value in watching the two films back-to-back.) But it is a realistic version because Good and Evil, and the admirable and the disgusting, can exist in the same person at the same time. Just like in real life. Neither the good nor the bad in America cancel each other out. Notice how Ford starts his story: it appears that Ethan Edwards (Wayne) and his sister-in-law are in love with each other, but she chose to marry the brother. Think about that. This film is filled with such contradictions.