The Searchers [Blu-ray]

I have been using the stay at home time resulting from the pandemic to watch several classic American westerns. The genre was highly popular through the 1950s, fell out of favor in the 1960s, and have experienced a renewal of interest of late. The best of these films, together with novels in the western genre, may help Americans think about and learn something of their country during these difficult times."The Searchers" is a 1956 film directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne as Ethan Edwards, a Confederate veteran, a loner, and a wanderer who returns to the west Texas home of his brother and family in 1868. The film was successful upon its release and in the following years it achieved near-iconic stature. It is routinely included on lists of best westerns and best films. I don't remember seeing the film before watching it during the pandemic.The film immediately makes clear the abrasive, harsh character of Ethan Edwards. The Confederate veteran is unrepentant, ornery, quick with his fists and with insults, and most apparently, a racist in his attitude towards Indians. Immediately upon his return home, a group of Comanche Indians burn his brother's home to the ground killing the family with the exception of the two daughters, Lucie and Debbie (played by Natalie Wood) who are abducted. Edwards and a young man, Martin Pawley, (Jeffrey Hunter) are away at the time as the Indians have attempted to divert attention from their planned homestead burning by stealing a neighbor's cattle. Pawley has been raised by Edwards' family and has Indian blood. He becomes subject to Ethan's prejudice and ridicule. When Ethan and Pawley return, they and others in the community organize a search party to punish the Indians and to recover the young girls, if possible.The rest of the film focuses on the search, which becomes a five-year quest throughout the southwest by Edwards and Pawley. Edwards is more than willing to go on the search alone but reluctantly accepts Pawley's company. Pawley feels responsible for his adopted sisters and, more importantly, fears that Edwards will harm the girls when he finds them. Strong feelings of rape and of white women keeping company with Indian men pervade the film.The cinematography of the film is extraordinary in showing the expanse and beauty of the American West and in encouraging a love for the land. The story of the search has an immediacy to it over the long years and is easy to follow. The film is highly problematic in the questions it raises about racism and in the relationship between the settlers and the Indians. Ethan Edwards is in many respects shown throughout much of the movie as a highly flawed, biased individual.I was first puzzled and intrigued and then moved by this film. With the stature "The Searchers" has come to enjoy, the film has provoked a great deal of commentary. I took the opportunity to read some of the accessible comments to supplement watching the film. Many viewers still critique the film for what they see as its overt racism towards the Comanche. Other acknowledge the racism but find that the film itself critiques it and that Ethan Edwards gradually changes during the five year search shown in the film.The high regard in which the film is held should not blind the viewer to its ambiguities. Especially at the outset, the film may be disturbing in the attitudes of Ethan Edwards and, to a degree, of most of the other settlers. I found the movie worked for me in part because it is ethically problematic and encourages reflection by its viewers. In addition to the relationship between the settlers and the Indians, the film explores the life of a loner and probably an outlaw in the settlement of the west, as exemplified by John Wayne's character, and juxtaposes it with the path towards settlement and community. The story of the development of a common life, as compared to the life of a wandering loner, is a strong theme of the film. The cinematography and the ever-present music add to the passion this film encourages for the country.Lists of the best films, or the best of anything, have little significance. "The Searchers" both moved and troubled me. For those at home during the pandemic, watching "The Searchers" is an excellent use of time.Robin Friedman

One of my all time favorites. I had it previously but in a cleaning frenzy gave away but after a few months regretted the move so had to buy again. Now I’m keeping it til I die! Not Sorry

I read some of the "1 star reviews". Some people are so ignorant of American movie culture, historical American culture itself, and even just plain American history, it boggles my mind. It is a great film with gorgeous cinematography. John Wayne's character is dark and brooding. I suggest reading the book of the same title.

A great story, very well told and high quality acting!

I was told that THE SEARCHERS was perhaps the best John Wayne movie ever made. Believe it or not, I'd never seen it before. So when I saw that the blu-ray was on sale at amazon for under $10 I decided what the heck, let's give it a go. I'm glad I did.Wayne stars as Ethan Edwards, a rough and tumble man of the west comes home after fighting for the south in the Civil War. As the film opens, we see a woman through the front door of her house, Wayne on horseback riding to the house. This is the home of his brother and his family, a home that Ethan knew before the war. As the film moves on we get the idea that there was once something between Ethan and Martha, his brother's wife, but nothing is said aloud.Ethan is greeted by his brother and his family, a nephew, two nieces and a young man named Martin Polly (Jeffrey Hunter) who Ethan saved as a child, the sole survivor of an Indian attack on a wagon train. But the reunion doesn't last long when the next morning a group of men on horseback show led by Rev. Capt. Clayton (Ward Bond). It seems a group of Indians have run off with homesteader Jorgensen's cattle and they're about to search for them. Ethan insists his brother remain home but Martin goes along.Following the trail they discover that the cattle were stolen for a reason: to get them away from the settler's homes so they could be attacked. They split when riding back to cover both places. Ethan and Martin return to find the farm ablaze and the bodies of everyone but Lucy and Debbie, the two nieces now presumed kidnapped. This ignites a search that last most of the film as Ethan and Martin head out to rescue the girls.It would be so easy to offer bits and pieces of the story now, to tell you who makes it when and who doesn't. But that would take away what is an effective piece of story telling done by master director John Ford. He and Wayne made many movies together and many consider this one to be their best. The way he frames scenes, the way he moves his actors is amazing and in turn presents a story that you don't realize until it finishes.Watching the extras also helped me see so many of the things I missed while watching. We're a movie going public used to extreme violence when watching films these days. This film offers up violent images without actually showing them. The scene where Wayne enters what appears to be a smoke house to find the bodies of his brother and sister in law is gripping. You know how he found them by the look on his face, not by seeing the actual bodies. And in some ways that's more disturbing.One thing I was aware of with this film was the subtle discussion of racism involved in it. Made when this was a somewhat taboo topic, Ford and Wayne brought it to the forefront here. Several characters have this discriminatory view of the Indians in the film that carries on to their captives as well. The search for the girls takes 5 years and during that time young Debbie becomes a woman. The question of whether to bring her back or to kill her since she's been touched in more ways than one by her captor is central to the film. On one hand Ethan is ready to do what he considers his duty in killing her, on the other Martin, part Indian himself, is willing to do all he can to stop Ethan.This film offered something different for Wayne than previous roles. Before he was the hero, the cowboy, the one guy everyone wanted to be. As Ethan he's questionable at times whether it's wondering where he got the money he gives his brother or in the way he handles various situations. As the film progresses we witness a slow change over the years as Ethan's search for vengeance causes him to do worse deeds than when the search began. He's not a nice guy but he is someone you wish was on your side.The entire cast does a commendable job here. Each of them plays their roles note perfect. Veteran actors who starred in numerous Wayne films present themselves here as well as they've ever done. Ward Bond is cantankerous and at the same time a viable force for the old west. Hank Worden as Mose Harper portrays the man as perhaps simple but at the same time perhaps not. Maybe it's a face he puts on to keep out of harm's way. But the best cast member is Monument Valley.Like almost all of Ford's westerns, this one was shot in Monument Valley. Cut off from civilization for real, the cast and crew weathered some truly dangerous moments to bring this film to life. But its worth it was you view some breathtaking scenery. As I watched I thought to myself that while Frederick Remington captured the spirit and beauty of the old west on canvas, Ford was able to do the same on film.Like I said when I started, the film is available in blu-ray format for under $10 at amazon.com. It's worth that and more. I may not agree with the idea that this is the best western ever made or even Wayne's best western, but I will say that it ranks up there in the top. If you've never seen this one, make it a point to do so.

There is not much I can add to all that's been written & said about this classic Ford & Wayne western, with strong supporting cast & crew but I can say the 2 disc(2006) Warner Brothers edition(usually with red cover & Wayne + Monument Valley image) is well worth obtaining.On disc1 is the film in a stunning ,digital restoration of the Technicolor /Vistavision print, film ratio 1.85:1 widescreen.The audio is in mono but sounds clear. The film also has German & Spanish language versions with subtitles available in the 3 available languages +6 others. Theres an option to have the film introduced by Patrick Wayne who at fifteen played the slightly comic cavalryman in this film(& does it well).Disc1 also has a trailer & most importantly a good commentary by director/actor/John Ford biographer/all round 'film expert' ,Peter Bogdanovich.Disc2 has 4 short black & white 'behind the cameras' promotional features (available on some single disc issues)that were shown on U.S. TV when the film was released & are fascinating glimpses of that era & contain some good footage. There are two very good documentaries on the film (31 & 33mins) which have plenty of relevant information on the book, the filming, Wayne & Ford + much more & include unseen footage & all extras are also subtitled in a dozen languages.These docs' have input from directors Martin Scorcese,Curtis Hanson & John Milius.When this was released there were also single disc issues that had these extras listed on the misprinted cover, the disc actually just had the 'behind the scenes' segments & was was playable on both sides: 'widescreen' on one,4:3 ratio on the other .So will you regret spending those few extra pennies to get this 2disc edition?,as Wayne might say: "The hell you will".

One of the most iconic films ever. Watch out for camera work undertaken in this film that crop up time and again across all film genres. The most notable being the open and closing door shot - Spielberg used exactly the same shot for one of the most evocative elements in "Saving Pte Ryan", when the mother is informed of the loss of her sons and collapses on the front porch.Da Duke is excellent, indeed not bettered until "The Shootist". Elements may be slightly dated but pale into insignificance against the broad paintbrush effect of this film.A "must have" in any real man's film collection! Question - in the film - is Debbie actually Da Duke's secret daughter by his brother's wife?

liked this film first saw it many years ago like seeing the old stars again

Excellent at its best

John Ford, and John Wayne at their best! The film that inspired a generation, many bands followed the Buddy Holly song named "That'll be the Day" from Wayne's quote!