Review of The Searchers (1956) by Jacob M — 01 Dec 2013

If you ask any fan of the Western genre who the greatest Western actor is, they would say John Wayne. If you ask them who the best Western director is, they would say John Ford. If you asked them what the greatest Western of all-time, the response from the majority would say The Searchers, a film directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne.

In The Searchers, we meet ex-Confederate veteran Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) who returns home to Texas after the Civil War to hang out with his family. Ethan is a hater of the Indians, particularly the Comanches, and only trusts himself. After some Comanches kill some cattle, Ethan and a posse investigate, but soon realize that the killing were a distraction in order for the Indians to attack their homes. When Ethan comes home, he discovers the house destroyed, his brother and sister in laws murdered (Walter Coy and Dorothy Jordan), and his two nieces, Lucy (Pippa Scott) and Debbie (Lana Wood younger; Natalie Wood older) abducted by the Indians. Ethan, along with his brother in law's adopted son Martin (Jeffery Hunter) and friend Brad (Harry Carey Jr.), go on a five-year journey to search for the two nieces, even if it means killing off the entire Indian race.

Also, Vera Miles plays Laurie Jorgensen, a woman with a crush on Martin, Ward Bond plays Reverend Clayton, a preacher with some military experience, Hank Worden plays Mose Harper, a friend of Ethan who is obsessed with rocking chairs, Ken Curtis plays Charlie McCony, a goofy serenader who has a crush on Laura, and Henry Brandon plays Comanche chief Scar.

Earlier, I said that the majority of the Western lovers view this film as the greatest Western of all-time. While I'm not a huge fan of the Western genre, out of the few Westerns I've seen, The Searchers is a pretty incredible Western, but I view Rio Bravo as a definitive Western.

The Searchers features a huge cast, and each actor is phenomenal in their particular roles. Vera Miles is attractive and great as the romantic lover, Ward Bond is funny as the reverend, Natalie Wood, while only appearing in two scenes, is impressive as the younger niece, Ken Curtis is hilarious as the romantic competitor, Hank Worden is also funny as the old man who loves his rocking chairs, and Jeffery Hunter is entertaining as Martin ("All I get is a dead man's clothes.").

But it's John Wayne who outshines everyone as Ethan Edwards. His character is one of the most complex, incredible Western characters to hit the big screen. Wayne gives it in and never gives up on hos search for his nieces, even when everyone else believes them to be dead. Wayne's character also has some twists in him, which I won't give away for those who haven't watched the film yet. He also has the best line in the film ("That'll be the day.").

Once the film begins with a memorable opening shot, it's hard to look away. The cinematography is stunning, and one of the most beautiful uses of Technicolor ever. Filmed in an area that John Ford uses regularly in his Westerns, Monument Valley looks beautiful and makes an experience that even the most critical people will enjoy.

Max Steiner's score is also pretty memorable. Known for tugging people at the heartstrings, such as scores like Gone with the Wind and Casablanca, he uses the same technique and puts a more epic spin at it, kind of similar to the Gone with the Wind score.

The story is also extremely powerful. The Searchers puts the harsh survival of the wild west extremely well and might make the most emotional cry. John Ford was brilliant at combining the harsh realities of the western territory and an epic story that can appeal to non-Western fans as myself.

Before I conclude my review, I must address a little problem that some might find in the film. The Searches has caused controversy in recent years for John Wayne's characters comments towards the Indians, causing some to believe that the character, and Wayne himself, is racist. While the character has some negative views towards the Indians, it's only due to the fact that they abducted his nieces. He wanted to get his nieces back at all costs, even if it meant an unintentional racist genocide. I'm not offended at all.

With that being said, The Searchers is an incredible Western, with a phenomenal performance from John Wayne, impressive cinematography, and a story that everyone can relate to. I wouldn't say it's the greatest Western ever made (for me, that would be either Rio Bravo or The Magnificent Seven), but The Searchers managed to grab my attention over any film in that particular genre like never before.