Review of The Searchers (1956) by Ken T — 01 Nov 2010
Texas, 1968. Well, more like the Arizona/Utah border, but who cares! Monument Valley brought to full color in this, the very best of all westerns. John Wayne plays a Confederate Soldier, Uncle Ethan, returning to see his brother and family after the Civil War.
This is a nuanced, measured performance by Wayne with so much underpinning and depth to the character he plays. He is a racist, and rather unscrupulous man - but the audience cheers for him anyway. And this despite the fact that Ford paints both Native Americans as fine people and cruel people as well in the film.
There is also the usual John Ford bravado here. Any film buff must make the "pilgrimage" to Monument Valley and stay at Goulding's. But first fall in love with this magnificent film.
This review of The Searchers (1956) was written by Ken T on 01 Nov 2010.
The Searchers has generally received very positive reviews.
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