'Outcasts And Loners In John Ford's The Searchers'

Rome Banaitis

Outcasts and Loners

John Ford’s “The Searchers” released in 1956, contains scenes of magnificence and one of John Wayne’s best movies. There are shots that are glorious and stunning throughout the film. This magnificent film was recognized by New York magazine. They called it the most influential movie in all of American history. John Ford was also nominated for best director in 1957. The film is about an obsessive quest over the niece of Ethan Edwards, played by John Wayne. A group of Comanches burn his ranch house and murder his family. Ethan grows a hatred for the Comanches and Scar, played by Henry Brandon. For a stereotypical Western movie that was created when Western Movies were dieing, I thought the film was pretty

He denies affection towards his niece finding out she had been raised by a Comanche. After chasing her down a hill he picks her up showing he still dearly loves her. This adds to the movie because it shows that the protagonist has an emotional reason for his actions. The characters are very believable. The portrait of Ethan in the film is ominous and stubborn. He is one of the most racist characters in the film to. Though under the cunning personality, he shows affection towards his family, and even a strong bond between his part Indian relative Martin Pawley played by Jeffrey Hunter. Ethan starts to trust him gradually over time throughout the story. Ethan is very brave usually wanting to take on conflicts and tasks by himself. When discussing with Scar in his teepee, Ethan insists that Martin waits outside of the teepee instead. When sieging Scar’s village, Martin wants to go in alone and try to save Debbie before they attack. Ethan lets him attempt the rescue, which is very unusual for Ethan often prohibiting martin from many activities. A very unclear message is that the Indians are the antagonists of the movie. Scar had his children murdered by white men. Though it was still wrong for him to murder Ethan’s family. Scar and Ethan are very similar, yet the movie portrays Scar as the villain. This also creates a stereotype for native Americans. This message takes away from the movie, though if a viewer can look over this fact it is truly a great