“The Searchers” (1956) – Movie Review

Director: John Ford

Starring: John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles

‘Wonderful Western’

“The Searchers” is directed by John Ford. Its script is written by Frank S. Nugent and the screenplay is based off a novel by Alan Le May. The film stars John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond, and Natalie Wood. Its plot follows a Civil War veteran (John Wayne) who spends years searching for a young niece captured by Indians. His motivation becomes increasingly questionable.

John Ford is a masterful filmmaker. He is in fact one of America’s most respected directors. Ford has been widely known for Western masterpieces such as “Stage Coach” and “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance”. He is also known for directing this film. “The Searchers” is a timeless classic. The directing, acting, and soundtrack are all magnificent. Ford directs this film with long shots and a sense of devotedness. Supporting him is beautiful cinematography that is unimaginable for its times, and a simple yet engaging storyline. The ending for this film is slightly predictable, but Ford still manages to keep the movie entertaining throughout.

John Wayne delivers one of the best performances of his career. He plays Ethan Edwards towards ultra perfection. His facial expressions and dialogue are unforgettable. So is his chemistry with fellow star Jeffrey Hunter. Hunter is handsome and perfectly fit for this role. His screen presence is lacking, but when he appears he acts well. The rest of the cast including Vera Miles, Ward Bond, and an unrecognizable Natalie Wood are great in their small but charismatic roles.

The soundtrack by Academy Award winner Max Steiner is brilliant. Steiner’s music is both melodious and evocative. It infuses the film and takes it to another level.

Despite being predictable and a bit racist towards the Native-American genocide, “The Searchers” is still a great Western the stands as one of the best ever made. This film is generally recommended for fans of the genre, however movie buffs might be fascinated by it too.

4.5/5 stars