Review of The Searchers (1956) by Steve D — 12 May 2009

This story of a Civil War vet looking for his kidnapped niece is called the greatest Western ever by the American Film Institute. John Wayne plays Ethan the veteran who returns home after fighting the confederacy. He meets up with his family, but is quickly called on to help find his niece who has been kidnapped by Comanche Indians after they kill his brother and sister-in-law. In the beginning Ethan is more interested in revenge than saving the girl, he only wants to kill the people that took his family.

Eventually, he and his nephew take off together trying to stay on her trail and eventually find her. Years go by as they try to find out where the Comanche have gone, traveling from state-to-state and into Indian territory. Ethan has a tough time accepting some of the ways there chase changes as they find out more information about the niece. He becomes obsessed with finding her, and seems to sink further and further into darkness as they get closer to finding one of the remaining members of his family.

The acting is fantastic by everyone. This is my favorite role for Wayne, he really tones down the usual swagger he has in Westerns. The character has major problems and he shows them well. Everyone else fits there roles nicely. Even though there is the usual over-acting from the time period, it isnâ??t as bad as it could have been. John Ford does a great job directing, the closing shot is somber and closes up the story perfectly. I love the landscape and the action sequences.