The Searchers

1956

1h 59m

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

1.5K

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Western

As a Civil War veteran spends years searching for a young niece captured by Indians, his motivation becomes increasingly questionable.

Directors

John Ford

Writers

Alan Le May(novel by)

Frank S. Nugent(screenplay by)

Stars

John Wayne

Jeffrey Hunter

Vera Miles

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Top cast

Ethan Edwards

Martin Pawley

Laurie Jorgensen

Rev. Capt. Samuel Johnston Clayton

Debbie Edwards

Lars Jorgensen

Mrs. Jorgensen

Chief Cicatriz (Scar)

Ken Curtis

Charlie McCorry

Harry Carey, Jr.

Brad Jorgensen

Antonio Moreno

Emilio Gabriel Fernandez y Figueroa

Mose Harper

Look

Aaron Edwards

Martha Edwards

Lucy Edwards

Lt. Greenhill

Younger Debbie Edwards

Directors

John Ford

Writers

Alan Le May(novel by)

Frank S. Nugent(screenplay by)

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As I delve into the AFI 100 films, _The Searchers_ emerges as the first that I've truly struggled to embrace. Despite its acclaim in film history, several elements made it a disturbing viewing experience. First and foremost, it's crucial to delve into the film's historical context. Like many movies of its time, _The Searchers_ mirrors the prevailing attitudes towards Native Americans. While some may argue it's a 'product of its era,' the depiction of Native Americans now feels disturbingly insensitive. This factor alone could estrange a contemporary audience, casting a shadow over my experience and leaving me with a sense of disquiet. John Wayne's presence looms large over the narrative. His forceful performance injects a harshness into the film that's hard to overlook. His aggressive portrayal leaves an uncomfortable imprint, making it challenging to empathize with his character's motivations and actions. Given our knowledge of Wayne, it's also difficult to disassociate him from the character he embodies. As is often the case in classic Westerns, Native Americans are depicted as violent savages. However, a notable difference here is that the white characters are shown to be equally brutal. This balance in character portrayals is a unique aspect of the film that adds depth to the narrative. Visually, _The Searchers_ is stunning. The cinematography by John Ford and Winton C. Hoch is remarkable, with sweeping landscapes and precise framing that beautifully capture the rugged American West. These scenes are the film's highlights, showcasing Ford's talent for composition and colour. The visuals alone leave a lasting impression. But a film needs more than just beautiful scenery to be enjoyable. The story and character interactions fell flat for me. Beyond the aesthetics, I struggled to find much engaging over its two-hour runtime. While impressive, the film's stunning visuals did not compensate for the lack of depth in the characters and the story's slow pacing, leaving me waiting for it to end. Should _The Searchers_ be on the AFI list? Ford has other films on the list, like _The Grapes of Wrath_, which I think are much more substantial. So, for me, it's a definite no. Although the film has its merits in terms of visuals, the discomfort it creates and its insensitive portrayal of Native Americans make it a questionable choice for such a prestigious list.

griggs7915 Nov, 2024