Rent The Searchers (1956)

Wow - The Searchers review by CP Customer

The film has been criticised for its racist portrayal however it must be put into context, being released in the 1950’s when things were not as they are today. The Searchers does not glamorise violence, instead it graphically shows the consequences for everyone involved. John Ford’s trademark appreciation of the landscape is evident throughout the film, along with his desire to show the harsh realities of life on the frontier. Whilst shunned by the Academy and critics alike, the passing of time has confirmed The Searchers as a landmark Western and one of the great American movies, assisted by Wayne in his greatest role. Ford’s scene compositions are masterful, filling the whole frame with activity and using every inch of screen. The film has a great symmetry when you consider the opening and closing shots. The picture quality is fantastic; there is no better word for it. Warners has restored The Searchers to a truly blemish free print that harnesses the strengths of the VistaVision process. The colours on display are rich, varied and with clarity that belies the age of the movie.

A great surprise... - The Searchers review by CP Customer

Let's get this straight from the outset. I'm not a great fan of John Wayne nor am I a particularly enthusiastic watcher of westerns. 

I watched this film because I felt it my duty to as Scorsese has mentioned it so favourably in many interviews. What a treat it was. The characters were engaging the story was gripping and the feeling of being transported to another time and world was powerful and entertaining. The film was not without its shocking moments too which I found brave and admirable considering the time in which it was made - Mr Waynes character and some of his actions certainly did not fit my preconceptions - which goes to show that preconceptions can be a good thing, as long as you are receptive to having them shattered and actually enjoy the process of mental re-alignment.

The portrayal of the native American characters has been criticised and not without justification but to dwell on this aspect of the film is, in my opinion, an error.

If you've not seen this film watch it. You won't be disappointed. You may even be surprised. I was.

That'll be the day. - The Searchers review by griggs

The Searchers is a film I found tough to connect with. It’s undeniably influential, and there’s a lot to admire on a technical level, but watching it today is an uneasy experience.

A big part of that is how it portrays Native Americans. Some might argue it’s just a “product of its time,” but that doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable. The way the film frames Indigenous people feels dated and insensitive, which makes it hard to fully engage with the story.

Then there’s John Wayne. His performance is strong, but it adds a harshness to the film that’s hard to ignore. His character is relentless and aggressive, and knowing what we do about Wayne himself, it’s difficult to separate the man from the role.

That said, The Searchers does at least acknowledge that the white characters can be just as brutal as the so-called “savages.” That bit of moral ambiguity makes it more complex than a lot of classic Westerns, even if it doesn’t totally redeem the film’s shortcomings.

Visually, though? Absolutely stunning. Ford and cinematographer Winton C. Hoch created some of the most breathtaking shots of the American West. The landscapes, the colours, the framing—it’s all top-tier. If anything stuck with me, it’s how incredible the film looks.

But great visuals only go so far. The story and characters never fully pulled me in, and the slow pacing made it feel like a bit of a slog. I was mostly just waiting for it to wrap up.

I can see why The Searchers is considered a classic, and I get why people still discuss it. But between the uncomfortable racial dynamics and the detached storytelling, it didn’t entirely work for me.