Review of The Searchers (1956) by Faith W — 11 Feb 2010

Ethan Edwards (John Wayne), returns from the Civil War to his brothers ranch in Texas and hopes to find a proper home with his family and to settle down. But a trickery by the Comanche Chief Cicatrice destroys Ethans plans. He joins a posse to find a neighbours stolen cattle, but realises that they were fooled and he returns home to find his brothers ranch in flames and the family dead, except his niece Debbie (Natalie Wood) who has gone missing. Most likely kidnapped by the comanches. Ethan sets out along with his nephew Martin (Jeffrey Hunter), on a years-long journey to try to find the niece. But as the quest goes on, Martin begins to realize that his uncles hatred for the Indians is beginning to spill over onto his now-assimilated niece. Martin becomes uncertain whether Ethan plans to rescue Debbie or kill her.

With John Ford in the director seat and with John Wayne in the lead you would have a formula for a successful western in 1956. Much has been said about "The Searchers" and it is often hailed as one of the great westerns. I have enjoyed other westerns with John Wayne throughout the years, but I have not seen "The Searchers" until now. I had high hopes after having red reviews on this western, but to my surprise I was slightly disappointed on this John Wayne flick. The vendetta and redemption plot becomes unfocused due to a range of different happenings and several characters that floats by. John Waynes Ethan is a very unsympathetic character/anti hero and I reckon I was not that satisfied to see him in that sort of role, when he usually carried the American hero role on this shoulders. The photography presents the beautiful environment in vivid colours and we do get a 2 hour classic John Ford western structure, but it was not enough for me in the end unfortunately.