The Searchers

When I think of American Western films the first name that comes to mind is John Wayne. John Wayne has acted in more westerns than any other actor in American cinema and has created an image for himself that proves he is truly a legend. The Searchers is a 1956 western that follows the story of Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) whose family was ransacked by Comanche Indians and whose niece was taken by the tribe. Ethan begins his five year search for his niece and eventually finds her, but to his surprise she has been emotionally scared and has morphed into a Comanche. It is very evident that Ethan has a lot of hatred towards the Comanches and Native Americans in general. When he finds his niece there is an internal struggle in him to kill her or to rescue her. His nephew goes on the journey along with him (he is 1/8 th Cherokee) and there is a constant struggle between him and Ethan.

This film was very interesting on many levels because not only was it filmed in Monument Valley but the Native Americans that were portrayed in large fight scenes and throughout the film were actual Native Americans (Navajos)that were hired to act. The movie also begins in black and white and then transitions to color, and ultimately ends in black and white again. This transition is the most interesting thing about the entire film for me personally because I think that it is a very interesting way to portray the emotion throughout the film.

Overall I really enjoyed The Searchers, I thought it was a very interesting film overall and technically it was ahead of its time. It is definitely not something that I would have watched on my own, but I would definitely recommend it as a must see film.