The Searchers
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Movie Reviews of The Searchers
Movie Review: John Wayne at his Western Best now on WideScreen DVD!
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Searchers" (1956) Anamorphic Widescreen DVD version is one of the best classic westerns ever made! Ranked in the American Film Institute's (AFI) top 100 movies of the last 100 years (1998). Having the best Western Director, John Ford partnering up with his favorite cowboy star, John Wayne can only be the beginning of a grand movie. Adding Widescreen Technicolor, the colorful Panoramic Monument Valley - Utah (Ford's favorite western area to film), a fantastic musical score and top supporting cast leads us on one of the best filmed westerns ever!Summary - Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) is returning home to his only Brother & his family. After he and a posse of Texas Rangers (Lead by Ward Bond) were decoyed away by distant marauding Indians. The actual Indian raid was on remaining defenseless families left behind. Ethan's returned to find his Brothers family massacured all but his youngest niece, Debbie (played by Lana (younger)& Natalie Wood (older). His vengence takes him on a 5 year journey to recover her. Wayne is brilliant and proves he is a great actor.
"The Searchers" is a powerful 2 hour emotional rollercoaster ride. This movie will leave you with more respect of John Wayne's ability to act, Director John Ford's genius to tell a very complex story. Leaving us forever with a Great Western Classic! Enjoy.
Movie Review: Ford and Wayne's best
Summary: 5 Stars
The Searchers is one of the best movies Ford and Wayne made. Cinematically, it is a beautiful show (and you'll see homages to it everywhere, including Star Wars). It is one of Wayne's darker roles, and one he plays well. It's not John Wayne on the screen, it's more like he was able to find the character. Jefferey Hunter and Ward Bond do a wonderful job. My only fault with the movie is that Ford wraps it up too easily. He didn't explore the dark character Wayne played enough. But the years of searching and vengence make the trip worthwhile, even if it does end a little too 'neatly.' The dvd is a bit of a dissapointment. One side is a full-screen version, and if you flip it over you can watch the wide-screen version. As with most dvds where the director and stars are dead, there is no commentary. (And I can't help but think of how great it would be to hear Ford and Wayne talk about this movie). There are some production notes that are interesting. There are 4 short 'Warner Bros. Presents' Shorts, two on one side, two on the other. They don't even touch the movie. It is a shame that there is no documentary. Ford shot seven reels of a 'Making Of', one of the first of its kind. If that had been added to this dvd, then this would be a spectacular dvd. As it is, it's still a great movie.
Movie Review: The 'Best Western'
Summary: 5 Stars
John Wayne was big. There's an urban legend that he worked tirelessly to get James Arness the starring role in the new TV series "Gunsmoke" because Arness was one of the few actors actually bigger physically than the Duke and Wayne didn't want any competition in that department on the silver screen.
The time is 1868. The Civil War less than three years ended. Wayne returns, a Confederate soldier, to his brother's ranch out west. Here is Wayne at his best, not a nice Wayne, not a compassionate Wayne, not a friendly Wayne but one seeking retribution for the murder of his brother and his brother's family by the indians. He sets his code, his raison d'etre if you will, and sticks to it. Speaking of one of his nieces killed in the indian raid, he says to the two young men with him, Jeffrey Hunter (before Christ) and Harey Carey, Jr, "I buried her in my jacket. And as long as you live don't ask me about it again."
Revisionist's say it's John Ford's indictment of racism but I have found it to be more of a caveat to the all consumptive power of hatred. My favorite Wayne is still Whistling Dan from the 'High and the Mighty' but this is the best Wayne and also even considering Shane and the Unforgiven, the best western. 5 Stars. Larry Scantlebury
Movie Review: An Odyssey-like western classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't agree with calling "The Searchers" an iliadic western. If anything, it is the Odyssey of the West, as it tells the story of Ethan Edwards's five-year search for his kidnapped niece. John Wayne gives a great performance (many people argue its his best) as Ethan Edwards, a tough, proud Civil War veteran who refused to give up and who is forced to spend years of his life searching for his niece, Debbie. The journey, mostly set in the beautiful Monument Valley of Southern Utah, is truly a quest of epic proportions. The story is intriguing, the plot fast-moving and unpredictable, and the action exciting. Wayne's performance as Edwards shows him in a darker, more unpredictable role than many of his other films, and that sun-baked, battle-hardened face covered with stubble is a visage that, in many ways, epitomizes the rough character of the American West.
The movie contains a number of stereotypes, from European settlers to Comanche Indians, that would not be considered politically correct today. Despite this, however, this is a fine film by director John Ford, one that captivates from beginning to end. Every list of the greatest Westerns of all time should include "The Searchers."
Movie Review: John Fords' Best!
Summary: 5 Stars
I saw this picture 14 times at the old Mayfair Theatre on a double bill with The Parent Trap,(a great Hayley Mills Flic!)Back in the days when it cost 25 cents. (Twice a day for 7 days that is!) I have it on VHS, and plan to upgrade to DVD. You can't go wrong owning this film,as it may be John Waynes' best acting role in a western. The paring of the Duke with Jeffrey Hunter was genius,and the cinematography,(Monument Valley),is breathtaking! After Ethan (the Duke),returns home from the Civil War,he finds his closest family members wiped out in a renegade indian raid,except for Lucy,(a young Natalie Wood),whom the Commanches have taken for their own. The relentless hunt is on,through the four brutal seasons,and over years,Ethan is obsessed with finding 'Scar' the chief of the Commanches,and avenging his families death. Excellent action,and and excellent plot,with a surprise ending. The savageness and desperation that faced the early western pioneers is well-portrayed by FORD,in what I believe is his best collaberation with John Wayne. Great supporting cast,with the likes of Vera Miles and Ward Bond. It was my priviledge to review this great epic,and I recommend it most highly. - Ron Larocque