![]() The Searchers directed by John Ward depicts a man by the name Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) who sets out to look for his niece, Debbie (Natalie Wood), with the help of Martin Pawney (Jeffrey Hunter), upon discovering that an Indian tribe, the Comanches, leaded by a chief named Scar (Henry Brandon) has taken them and killed of his brother and the rest of his family. In order to have a solid foundation of a film, one of the things needed is that the characters in it have to have, well character. There is no question that Ethan Edwards has a strong personality. Viewers such as Martin Scorsese describes Ethan as a man "driven to the point of madness and absolutely alone." Scorsese continues with his evaluation of Ethan as someone most unsettling in American cinema. Others are able to recognize that as well, such as when Brian Henderson quotes, in his academic paper of "The Searchers: An American Dilemma", film critic Lindsay Anderson that Ethan was a man who "is an unmistakable neurotic, devoured by an irrational hatred of Indians and half breeds, shadowed by some mysterious crime." For example, his hatred for Indians is seen in multiple occasions, but one sticks out. This is when Ethan shoots an already dead Indian, which appalls the others, to which he defends his action by stating that know this Indian won't be able to reach paradise. He learns the practices and beliefs of Indians not for so-called respect, but to look down upon it. Talk about cold. So while he isn't the purest out of others, one is able to make that conclusion because of how much Wayne portrays Ethan in the film. Ethan had every intent of killing her off when he realizes that Debbie has taken on the culture and ways that her captors practice, to which he even proclaims to Martin that "She's been living with a buck!" What leaves myself and others, such as John Wayne himself, wondering is why Ethan decides to not kill Debbi. He was able to catch up to Debbie, raise her off her feet, and instead of hurting and/or killing her, he brings he down and with his last line in the film tells her "let's go home Debbie." What he does goes against the person that he is viewed to be in the entirety of the film. For some odd reason, Ethan demeanor changes, but for what reason, who knows? I have no doubt Ford knew what he doing for creating this scene just as how he wanted to depict Ethan as from the start of the film, and for that, I respect. While Ethan's demeanor is an important thing to comprehend in the film, Ford's use of framing and music is what makes this film one to be analyzed as a great Western film. Let's start off how Ford intentionally uses nature and objects to create a frame within a frame. As A.O. Scott puts it in 'The Searchers': How the Wester Was Began, "Ford loved to create bustling, busy interiors full of life and feeling, and he was equally fond of positioning human figures, alone or in small, vulnerable groups, against vast, obliterating landscapes." For instance, at the end, Ethan is the only one that doesn't enter the house, standing directly in the center of the door entrance, before turning around and walking away. Essentially, the camera looking out of the house through the door allows everything to be dark around it, letting viewers focused on Ethan all by himself, lonely once again that "emphasizes his solitude, his separateness, his alienation — from his friends and family, and also from us (viewers)" (Soto). That statement becomes backed up with the help of music that begins in this last scene. The song playing is called "End Title / The Searchers" by Max Steiner feat. The Sons of the Pioneers. Watchers hear the lyrics: "A man will search his heart and soul Go searchin' way out there His peace of mind he knows he'll find But where, oh Lord, Lord where? Ride away, ride away, ride away" This song is also played in the beginning called "Main Title/ The Searchers", but what makes this song interesting is that in the movie , different verses are sung. Viewers thus here: "What makes a man to wander? What makes a man to roam? What makes a man to leave bed and board and turn his back on home? Ride away, ride away, ride away." While the lyrics are different, the message that comes across are the same in which it comes to Ethan's realization that he would not be able to live in the form of civilization or society that people like Martin, Debbie, or the Jorgensen's plan to be in. The scene and song leaves viewers, like myself, to wonder when-or if- Ethan will find peace from the view of life he has. Not only does The Searchers shows expertise of a standard Western movie, but it was created through John Ford, who is no stranger to the production of these type of films. If you're a fan of Western films, like John Ford's other creations, a movie fanatic, or simply watching it for an assignment, ask yourself (and comment!) why you believe this can be considered a great film and why its said to be Ford's masterpiece. This is Victoria and thank you for coming to read my FILM talk! Take a closer look at what others have to say- and what I have learned to create my film talk- about The Searchers down below!
Guest Reviewer: Martin Scorsese on 'The Searchers' "The Searchers": An American Dilemma The Worst Best Movie 'The Searchers': How the Western Was Begun Lyrics to: "Main ("End") Title/ The Searchers" by Max Steiner feat. The Sons of the Pioneers
5 Comments
Chris Toth
2/16/2019 06:03:17 pm
Hello Victoria! I loved this blog and love how you edited it to make it very clear what you were talking about in each section and paragraphs. I really enjoyed that you put dialogue in your blog. It made it more understanding to the reader to understand what you were talking about and made it more enjoyable for someone who may not have seen the movie to better understand what you were explaining. I think your video choice was great and not many people chose this scene in particular to show the importance of it and the meaning behind it. I really enjoyed your blog and look forward to more.
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Adrian Fulgencio
2/17/2019 08:57:38 am
Your analysis of Ethans hatred toward Native Americans is great. I agree with your statement on Ethans powerful hatred. It does seem pretty bizarre that someone would study another culture that they despise just to know how to torture them. He shoots a Native American in the eyes so that he cannot see where he is going in the other world. Thats wild, to torture someone when they aren't even alive anymore. At the end of the film, Ethan does come through and save Debbie, after wanting to murder her. I also agree that the scene was a turning point for Ethans character.
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Jordan Diedrick
2/17/2019 08:13:32 pm
Hi Victoria. First off, I was really impressed with the numerous points and opinions you brought up in your blog. I really liked how you incorporated the soundtrack of the film into you analysis and how it plays a major part in the movie's themes. I personally believe people tend to overlook just how important a soundtrack is when creating the setting for a scene. Without the right music, a scene might not be as emotional as it should be or it might be misinterpreted altogether. I share your thoughts on how the song relates to Ethan's character and his struggle in finding purpose. When we first meet him, Ethan gives the impression of a stubborn soldier who refuses to admit defeat, as evidenced by his involvement in the Mexican revolutionary war after abandoning the surrendering Confederate army to avoid giving up his saber. This rough attitude softens considerably towards the end as he seems to have warmed up to Martin and his decision to take Debbie back instead of killing her. Even so, the last shot of the movie shows he still cannot move past his own problems and thus chooses to leave once again. As you say, it is up to us as the audience to wonder if he will ever find peace.
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2/17/2019 08:38:23 pm
I love your quote choices, the one I agree with most is the one were they say Ethan is "driven to the point of madness and absolutely alone". A lot of the tension in this passage is because of the attack on Ethans family that left him alone, it's one of the reason why he has so much anger built up against the Natives and continues to take it out on them along there journey.
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Brian
2/25/2019 08:05:13 am
Hi Victoria! Nice work on this post overall. I liked your use of visuals, which helped balance your text paragraphs. The inclusion of the famous ending to the film, as well as your accompanying analysis, helped ground your observations in a specific scene. I also appreciated your use of the lyrics to the film's theme song, which comments upon the action and Ethan's character in some particularly poignant ways. You offered some strong insights about the lyrics. Occasionally, you let the sources' quotes stand without adding much to them. Make sure you're responding fully to the ideas raised by the authors you quote from by adding your own idea.
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