The Searchers [HD DVD]
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Movie Reviews of The Searchers [HD DVD]
Movie Review: Ford's one and only classic Western--the model for other films
Summary: 5 Stars
There has been much controversy over the racism depicted in this movie but I think that's part of what makes a compelling Western for its time period. John Wayne, I believe, portrayed one of his first anti-heroes ever (the other being "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence", another Ford classic) and he even named one of his sons after his character. I've seen this classic on HD Net Movies and the transfer was fantastic--it's as if the movie was made yesterday and not in 1956!! Of course, too accolades from renowned directors such as Akira Kurosawa, David Lean (he resaw this film several times while making "Lawrence of Arabia"), Martin Scorsese, George Lucas (Star Wars owes quite a bit to this), Orson Welles and Curtis Hanson have helped to push this film into the American Film Institute of all time great Westerns. I guess one flaw I had wished Ford would've removed from this classic is the cornball humor involving Vera Miles, Jeffrey Hunter and an actor who's appeared in later "Gunsmoke" as episodes by the name of Curtis!! Anyway outside of this quibble, the virtues of this film outweigh its flaws, Wayne himself turns in perhaps his greatest performance here. Now the question is whether to purchase in HD DVD or Blu-ray (they are both basically similiar as far as I know from previous comparisons)? To update I did purchase the HD DVD version and it's excellent and in answer to the previous reviewer there is a difference between Standard Def and High Def (HD DVD or Blu-ray) and if he has a 720p or 1080p but if not, he would not notice it.Movie Review: One of America's Best
Summary: 5 Stars
I see this as America's Bicycle Thief. To me, these two movies have similar tones and themes. I can't really say much about the Searchers that you can't read in the comments surrounding mine, except that it is an amazing movie. People who dislike this movie (for whatever reason) tend to think that we Ford fans only say we like it because we have to, because everybody else says it's so great. They're wrong. I heard one positive comment about this movie, before I knew anything about it, so I rented it (now I own the DVD). I remember after the final shot, I stared at the tv for a few seconds, then walked upstairs to my room, silently. I couldn't think what to say, except "that was a great movie!" I was almost overwhelmed by Ford's complexity and simplicity, his plainness and his beauty, and of course the performances. I couldn't sleep that night, all I could think of was the movie. I hummed that song from the opening titles for weeks. After seeing it I knew I had been privileged to witness one of America's great works of art. And to those who didn't like the film, try giving it a second viewing, and a third, and a fourth, and a fifth...Movie Review: Excellent film, stunning HD DVD transfer
Summary: 5 Stars
I am new to this film and thought I would watch it based on it's highly respected reputation in film and that it is considered a classic. I was not disappointed. The film is very enganging, and I am not a big western fan. But the story, acting and cinematography are top notch. The visuals are stunning. The landscape is a character here and wonderfully shot. I was amazed at the hd quality of this film shot about 50 years ago. I don't think I have seen a film that is quite this beautiful including contemporary films. There is something to be said for Vista Vision and Technicolor. But with all that stated, the story is quite engaging, and the journey that the characters take really give a feel for the old west and that culture.The relationship between John Wayne's and Jeffery Hunter's character is interesting as it unfolds and the Hunter character begins to mature. Get this HD-DVD.Movie Review: Must-have HD DVD
Summary: 5 Stars
The Searchers has been a favorite film of mine since I was a young boy. I was stunned by the amazing images as part of the High Definition DVD version of the film.
The scenes early in the film where Ethan is returning to the farm show a level of detail of the background that is difficult to describe. Monument Valley was a favorite location for John Ford, yet never having seen a John Ford film in the Theater I never had an appreciation for the scenery.
The color brilliance was exceptional in 1080i on my projector (BenQ 8720) displayed on the 78x139 DaLite screen. I am certain that with HDMI and 1080p the image would be even a little crisper.
I hope that you will make The Searchers one of your first HD selections, you will see John Ford, John Wayne, Natalie Wood, Ward Bond and Jeffrey Hunter in a whole new light.
Movie Review: Classic that goes WOW with HD treatment
Summary: 5 Stars
I caught this print on the HDMovie channel on DirecTV and knew this had to be one of the first HD DVDs that I purchased! WOW!
Universal is really giving their classic library the star treatment- fully restored from the original cinerama widescreen prints The Searchers on a big screen is like going back in time and spending an afternoon at the movies when movies were more than just explosions and effects. GORGEOUS scenery- Monument Valley has never looked so big and bright.
John Wayne is restored to his larger than life status- I just wish my grandfather was still around to see the Duke like this. I hope a whole new generation can find these great films and enjoy them as much as I do!