Review of The Searchers (1956) by So Hyun G — 18 Jul 2010

THE SEARCHERS is a good film that uses beautiful landscape to build up a splendid background for those cowmen. The scenery in Texas was so magnificent that can make me hardly believe that the whole movie was natural and without editing. Undoubtedly, It is the scenery such as deserts and cactuses that make THE SEARCHERS a real western film and make it a big hit.

Mixed up with drama and a little bit action, THE SEARCHERS is a typically western movie that happened in Texas. Directed by John Ford, who is famous for shooting western film, THE SEARCHERS is also well known and is highly praised by American. The main character, Ethan Edwards (stars John Wayne), just returned from Civil War and wants to settle down with his blood relatives. Unfortunately, the chief of an Indian tribe named Comanche launch a surprise attack on them and kill all of them except a little girl, called Debbie. After then Ethan and his nephew Martin Pawley go on an endless searching to take revenge and bring Debbie back home.

I think the story and characters are both believable to me because I think that they might truly live somewhere in that time. According to the Ethan¡¦s secret love to Martha, we can easily feel empathy for him and can understand why Ethan wants to pursue the Comanche around the world. Moreover, being a racist, Ethan shows a profound hatred of Indian in every movement and every action. But, it is interesting that the story make Ethan not only find his relatives in the searching process, but also fight against his own prejudice in his mind. Therefore, the far and long pursuit is kind of another self-exploration to Ethan himself. I think this also shows how successfully John Ford directs the movie.

This movie talks about a serious issue about racism against native Indian. How Ethan gradually accepts and identify with the Indians becomes a main subject under the story line. I think the most touching scene in the movie is that Ethan finally chooses not to kill Indian-assimilated Debbie and pick her up home. It symbolizes that Ethan overcomes the devil in his heart and seems not to be hostile so much to the Indians. It is this movie¡¦s main message that tells us to let go of any racial prejudice and be peaceful to accommodate different kind of people all around the world.

However, even though the first act is short and get to the story faster, the endless searching still makes me feel a little boring. Maybe the second act should be a little shorter than it is now so that the ending can be longer enough to clearly explain all the details to us. Being an English student, I think the plot is okay but dialogue is a little confused to me since it talk about a western lifestyle that I am not familiar with. But I have to admit that western film is really cool and attract me a lot.

In conclusion, THE SEARCHERS is a very good movie to let us know about American Culture and the western cowboy¡¦s life. Everyone who wants to learn more about it should watch it!