In the book that the movie was based on, Ethan never gets that bit of redemption where he decides not to kill Debbie. Martin is the hero of the book. In the end he protects Debbie from Ethan. Martin has been on this quest all this time because he loved Debbie. There's a certain symmetry to that, Ethan and Martha, Martin and Debbie.
John Wayne deserved an Oscar for this role. It was one of the few times he played against the heroic type he preferred.
This movie gets better with every viewing as you peel away layer after layer of depth and meaning. The whole of the human condition so thoroughly on display as we explore the healing power of love which, when unrequited, transforms into the power of hope; the utter personal destruction wrought by hatred, the demands of sacrifice, the transcendental commitment to family: all of those things, both good and bad, that make us who we are brought to the screen in this beautifully told and visually stunning story. Spectacular cast all the way to the most minor roles and led by the towering Wayne. Every detail in this western odessey is spot-on and effortlessly woven into the long-march narrative. Just a superb movie with everyone involved at the absolute top of their game.
This is as fine a review of the Searchers as I've read. One missing note: Martha returns Eathan's feelings twice, once as she puts his Johnny Reb coat away and once as she hands it to him as he is to ride with the posse. Ward Bond's Ranger captain stands there drinking his coffee in silence as the two unrequited lovers silently take their leave.
One personal note. As great as this film is, I believe Shane is greater.
And, yes: there’s a certain reverence to Martha’s behavior. Notice she never turns her back to Ethan upon their first reunion. She backs *into* the house. I simply left it at “perpetual looks of adoration” so as not to get too far off from focusing on Ethan.
One of his early mentors was Harry Carey and he would make that move in his films, so Wayne copied it for that scene. Harry Carey Jr played Brad Jorgenson and, his mother, Olive Carey played Mrs Jorgenson. Story goes that she was standing behind the camera for that last shot and broke down when Wayne made that move.
In the book that the movie was based on, Ethan never gets that bit of redemption where he decides not to kill Debbie. Martin is the hero of the book. In the end he protects Debbie from Ethan. Martin has been on this quest all this time because he loved Debbie. There's a certain symmetry to that, Ethan and Martha, Martin and Debbie.
John Wayne deserved an Oscar for this role. It was one of the few times he played against the heroic type he preferred.
Steve Wiebold highly recommend.
This movie gets better with every viewing as you peel away layer after layer of depth and meaning. The whole of the human condition so thoroughly on display as we explore the healing power of love which, when unrequited, transforms into the power of hope; the utter personal destruction wrought by hatred, the demands of sacrifice, the transcendental commitment to family: all of those things, both good and bad, that make us who we are brought to the screen in this beautifully told and visually stunning story. Spectacular cast all the way to the most minor roles and led by the towering Wayne. Every detail in this western odessey is spot-on and effortlessly woven into the long-march narrative. Just a superb movie with everyone involved at the absolute top of their game.
The Searchers is my all time favorite film. This is a wonderful review of this great film. Ford was a master at telling a story without words.
Great review. My personal favorite westerns = The Searchers, The Ox-Bow Incident, Shane, The Man Who Killed Liberty Valence, Open Range, High Noon
Open Range, an interesting choice. Need to see it again.
I'm in the camp that believes Debbie is Ethan's daughter.
This is as fine a review of the Searchers as I've read. One missing note: Martha returns Eathan's feelings twice, once as she puts his Johnny Reb coat away and once as she hands it to him as he is to ride with the posse. Ward Bond's Ranger captain stands there drinking his coffee in silence as the two unrequited lovers silently take their leave.
One personal note. As great as this film is, I believe Shane is greater.
Thanks for the kind words!
And, yes: there’s a certain reverence to Martha’s behavior. Notice she never turns her back to Ethan upon their first reunion. She backs *into* the house. I simply left it at “perpetual looks of adoration” so as not to get too far off from focusing on Ethan.
Thanks for reading!
A beautiful tribute to a magnificent film. I have seen it many times.
Do a little research on Wayne's last scene about why he folded one arm over the other
One of his early mentors was Harry Carey and he would make that move in his films, so Wayne copied it for that scene. Harry Carey Jr played Brad Jorgenson and, his mother, Olive Carey played Mrs Jorgenson. Story goes that she was standing behind the camera for that last shot and broke down when Wayne made that move.
You really can't do a proper Searchers retrospective and not mention Jeffery Hunter, Captain Christopher Pike of the USS Enterprise.
I always thought that Shane worked as a rough sequel to The Searchers; it gave me hope for Ethan.
Pale Rider was a sequel to Shane. Or at least, a tribute.