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449 user 159 critic

The Searchers (1956)

Not Rated | | Adventure, Drama, Western | 26 May 1956 (USA)
An American Civil War veteran embarks on a journey to rescue his niece from the Comanches.

Director:

Writers:

(screenplay), (from the novel by) (as Alan LeMay)
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Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

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Beulah Archuletta ...
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Storyline

Ethan Edwards, returned from the Civil War to the Texas ranch of his brother, hopes to find a home with his family and to be near the woman he obviously but secretly loves. But a Comanche raid destroys these plans, and Ethan sets out, along with his 1/8 Indian nephew Martin, on a years-long journey to find the niece kidnapped by the Indians under Chief Scar. But as the quest goes on, Martin begins to realize that his uncle's hatred for the Indians is beginning to spill over onto his now-assimilated niece. Martin becomes uncertain whether Ethan plans to rescue Debbie...or kill her. Written by Jim Beaver <jumblejim@prodigy.net>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

The Biggest, Roughest, Toughest ...and Most Beautiful Picture Ever Made! See more »


Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

Language:

| |

Release Date:

26 May 1956 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

La prisonnière du désert  »

Filming Locations:

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Box Office

Budget:

$3,750,000 (estimated)
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The day-for-night filming of Ethan's speech recounting his discovery and burial of Lucy required more than one take, but only because Ward Bond needed a shave. John Wayne nailed the scene the first time, but for some inexplicable reason, the camera had stopped. Supremely irritated, John Ford asked the operator what was wrong with the camera. As he answered, the power to the camera returned and they resumed filming the scene without incident. Indeed, nothing was wrong with the camera. Bond had pulled the plug on the camera in order to use his electric razor. The crew never did tell Ford, for fear that he would physically harm Bond. Years later, after Bond's death, cameraman Winton C. Hoch told Ford about the incident at a Hollywood event. Reportedly, Ford's face turned white and he was speechless. See more »

Goofs

In the buffalo stampede, where Ethan and Martin are supposed to be alone, there are horsemen (wranglers?) riding in the background of the third and fourth shot after the first buffalo falls. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
[seeing a horseman in the distance]
Aaron Edwards: Ethan?
Debbie Edwards: Hush, Prince.
Lucy Edwards: That's your Uncle Ethan!
Martha Edwards: [he approaches] Welcome home, Ethan!
See more »

Crazy Credits

This Warner Brothers film was said to be in VistaVision, according to the credits - this may be the only Warner film in VistaVision. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Blade II (2002) See more »

Soundtracks

The Yellow Rose of Texas
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played and sung at dance
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Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

This film is one of the best western movie of cinema
11 March 2014 | by See all my reviews

This film is one of the best western movie history . Enjoying the first frame to last, which also helps to use VistaVision, a system which some did not succeed because of its high price and according to others because actresses vetoed it because they pulled every last flaw to have. But this movie is VistaVision as a other character, thanks to it we see Monument Valley as never seen. And mounted horse Wayne let traveling for a inhospitable places with characters to faint in their difficult task, which encourage you to continue to be able to rest with them in the house in the middle of nowhere where Ford gives us the plane of his life, a plane had already rehearsed in "Stagecoach" 1939 but now it rises to the maximum power

This film is one of the biggest arguments against racism filmed . The script never attacks the Indians unless coming from the mouth of "Ethan" , which is obsessed with the inferiority of the Indian race . Hence it is one of the great details of this movie: his relationship with his nephew "Martin" , who rejected as mestizo. However, if they have to work to find the little "Debbie" , although both have very different reasons: one is his cousin, and the other to end his life after becoming an Indian .

Throughout the film we become a third member more. Sorry what both protagonists feel. Across the desert, snow, over the years, we meet colourful characters, and great natural landscapes, which are mixed with stone decorated cardboard, overshadow some pictures. John Wayne made here one of the best performances ever made, although many people say that only puts tough guy face. His look is the eyes of someone who lives only to kill, a real lunatic. Vera Miles in his small role appears more radiant and beautiful than ever. I find it somewhat hard to believe that Natalie Wood interpret a teenager, even though it does superbly what little appears. Jeffrey Hunter at times seems incapable of being a tough guy, but ultimately resolves the role with confidence.

The colour of photography of Winton C. Hoch's great. The Monument Valley is pictured as never done. These general plans are part of film history. When they discover the house after the killing, back lights show us what happened without showing violent images. The Ford VistaVision frames are extraordinary. The plane appears composed leaving nothing to chance. And Ford demonstrating sensitivity at all times is a wonderful thing. With a single detail, showing how her sister strokes his coat, shows the mutual feelings between them, or the beginning of the film. Simply opening a door, we know what genre we are. And that final is a tribute to Harry Carey with Wayne walking toward infinity, returning to show what it is: a wandering misfit...


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