Review of The Searchers (1956) by Laurence T — 07 Sep 2008

I believe the comparison with Taxi Driver has been made before: a loner going all out to help a young girl, without really knowing why he should, except that it's the right thing to do. As much as a love and respect Taxi Driver, I think the connection more of a compliment to Scorsese than Ford. This is the groundbreaker, the pioneer, the homesteader. It's the epitome of Ford's outside cinematography, with the huge landscapes that make you feel tired even imagining having to cross them, and the against-type acting of John Wayne, playing a character who is much of an anti-hero as any Western protagonist. Racist, vicious, nasty, and yet it's impossible not to root for him. This is one hell of an experience whether you're a Western fan or not.

The final image is rightfully seen as one of the most meangingful and iconic in all cinema. What's not so obvious or talked about is how much fun you can have watching Wayne bully Jeffrey Hunter across the Great Plains. Awesome, just awesome.