Review of The Searchers (1956) by Mark M — 04 Feb 2013

Racism takes center stage in this American western classic. The question is does it promote it or does it have it's own little piece of enlightenment? John Wayne plays Ethan Edwards a clearly racist, pig headed, unlikeable creep who has his own set of rules to live by. Wayne is very good in the role if you can look past his vile character & the distasteful unevolved story.

One of the key challenges for me is watching this film through seemingly & comparatively enlightened eyes from it's 1956 audience. Of course I'm generalizing but in 1956 it was socially more acceptable to tell a tale like this in mainstream film & it not only be OK but celebrated. I must admit I found it difficult to like this film because I look at this film with a different cultural perspective & it was often down right offensive. Having said that the performance by Wayne is very good, the beautiful landscapes are fantastic & I can't help wonder what director John Ford & writer Frank S. Nugent were trying to convey? Is the film as racist as it seems? Some film historians think not. But for me it did influence my reaction to this film in a fairly significant way. The Searchers for me is a racist, silly outdated film with beautiful shots & a strong performance from the lead. One of the best films ever made, not for me it isn't. The Searchers basic story seemed tired & shameful. At least humanity has evolved somewhat form this I hope.