Finding Debbie

#12 –‘The Searchers’

During the 1950s movie goers seemed to be drawn to two kinds of film genres. First would have to be musicals. The 50s saw the release of some of the most popular musicals of all time like South Pacific (1958), The King and I (1956), and Singin’ in the Rain (1952). The other genre that seemed to be very popular during the time frame was the western. Films like Shane (1953), High Noon (1952), and Gunfight at the O.K Corral (1957). Though there was one western that the American Film Institute (AFI) felt exceeded all other westerns. That film is director John Ford’s (Stagecoach) masterpiece The Searchers (1956).

Coming home from war is never easy. Coming home from the Civil War to your brother’s ranch in Texas for a little rest and relaxation should make the journey worth it. This was Ethan Edwards (John Wayne True Grit) plan of action. Ethan doesn’t actually get to his plan before he is attempted to be recruited into the Texas Rangers. The Rangers are trying to quell a growing problem with some violent Comanche. To drive home their point, the Rangers are called to find some cattle that went missing. It is soon discovered that the theft was a ploy to draw the Rangers away from a few of the ranches. Rushing back to his brother’s ranch, Ethan finds it destroyed and his family murdered… all except his young niece Debbie. Determined to save Debbie from the clutches of the hated Comanche, Ethan sets off on a journey that will have far reaching outcomes Ethan may not be ready for.

Herald as one of the greatest westerns, The Searchers is quite a dark toned film for the 1950s. The film had a few underlining themes that weren’t talked about during the 50s like adultery and racism. Ethan’s mutual attraction to his sister-in-law is apparent throughout the beginning of the film, which leads to the question later… is Debbie Ethan’s niece or his daughter? I know racism was big deal socially in the 50s, but it wasn’t flashed on screen a lot like in The Searchers. Ethan’s distaste for Native Americans in this film is vocalized frequently. Ethan goes as far as saying that he would rather kill Debbie than see her as a Comanche. 

It is no secret to people that know me, I am not a big John Wayne fan. I think I was born in the wrong decade. However, I do appreciate Wayne’s performance of Ethan. This is not the nice guy roles Wayne is most known for, but more of an anti-hero role. Wayne plays Ethan very straight forward and no nonsense, but at times Wayne subtly lets Ethan’s guard down to show the audience a glimpse of inner struggle and a hint of fear. On the journey with Ethan is Martin Pawly (an adoptive brother of Debbie) played by Jeffery Hunter (King of Kings). I think Hunter is slightly overlooked in this film. I think he did a great job balancing Ethan and being Ethan’s voice of reason at times.

The Searchers is one of many westerns from Irish born director John Ford. Ford uses the Arizona/New Mexico landscape to help tell his story. Using a few panoramic shots of the rough desert terrain, Ford shows the audience what it may have been like for people in the southwest post-Civil War. Ford also des an amazing job with his lead actor. Ford is able to extract the nasty attitude deep down in John Wayne.

As much as I enjoyed this film, I still prefer Unforgiven (1992). Then again, I have to remember that for 1956, The Searchers was edgy and that is most likely why AFI chose this western as their top western at number 12.d To appreciate modern westerns, I advise that you at least respect the classic westerns and classic doesn’t get any better than John Ford’s The Searchers.

The Verdict: Maybe shouldn’t have been #12, but definitely Top 20. Worth Your Time!