The Searchers
Summary
The Searchersis universally regarded as John Wayne ’s best movie , but the star himself considered two other Westerns to be superscript . Wayne fronted 80 Westerns throughout his career , starting out in little - seen " Poverty Row " titles likeHaunted Goldbefore fronting classic likeRio Bravo . The asterisk played many other sort of characters , but his legacy will always be that of a westerly star . As with most movie hotshot , audiences gravitate towards Wayne in a certain type of role , which was typically the macho , upstanding rodeo rider who always did the right matter .
Wayne himself did n’t mind his typecasting in the musical genre and had a outspoken distaste for the more amoral hero played by Clint Eastwood that emerged during the 1960s . Wayne even rejected working with Eastwood in a Western , having hate the picture of the West go through in Clint’sHigh Plains Drifter . While he often play a " John Wayne " type - he was the effective at it , after all - one of his with child departures fare with 1956’sThe quester . This dark dangerous undertaking cast him as a violent , racist Civil War veteran set out to deliver his kidnapped niece from the Comanche .
John Wayne Felt Red River & Stagecoach Were Better Than The Searchers
Wayne rated two other John Ford Westerns above his 1956 classic
Cast
Stagecoach , directed by John Ford , follows a diverse group of travelers on a stagecoach journey through dangerous Apache territory . As they face the terror of Geronimo , the passengers confront personal challenges and gain brainwave into each other ’s life amidst the perilous landscape painting .
The Searchersshould have won Wayne a Best Actor Oscar , with his study as Ethan Edwards being his most acute and unsettling . The case might be seek to deliver a loved one , but his brutality and seethe hatred for Native Americans mark him securely as an anti - hero . InThe Searchers ' famous ending , Edwards make he has become so consumed by hate he can no longer know among civilized hoi polloi , and settle to wander back into the desert instead of being with his persist house .
film producer such as George Lucas , Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg have sungThe Searchers ' praisesand cited it as a major influence on their study . Spielberg rewatchesThe Searcherseach prison term he depart a young project , while Lucas used the Western ’s narrative theoretical account forStar Wars . However , talk in an consultation ( via generator Marc Eliot’sAmerican Titan : Searching for John Wayne ) , the actor stated he did n’t believeThe Searcherswas his best westerly .
Two definitive western were good – Stagecoach and Red River–[although I conceive ] The Searchers … merit more praise than it got .
All three film mentioned above areJohn Ford / John Wayne Westerns , and it ’s tellingly the latter felt he did his best work with Ford . It ’s also not a surprise to find out Wayne had obstinate belief on what his best piece of work was . The star felt he had delivered adept public presentation prior to his Best Actor win forTrue Gritin 1970 , and was n’t shy about slamming films he mat did n’t work . StagecoachandRed Riveralso let Wayne exert his play muscularity in a room other projectshadn’t at the time .
Red River is a classic Western picture lead by Howard Hawks and released in 1948 . It stars John Wayne as Thomas Dunson and Montgomery Clift as his adopted Logos , Matt Garth . The level keep up their agonising journey drive cattle from Texas to Missouri , showcasing theme of leadership , conflict , and perseverance . Notable for its strong performance and dynamical narrative , Red River remains a quintessential entry in the westerly literary genre .
Custom image by Simone Ashmoore
Wayne Always Credited Stagecoach With Launching His Career
Stagecoach rescued Wayne’s career after The Big Trail flopped
Just like The Searchers , Stagecoach is considered a landmark championship in the genre , and if it had n’t succeeded , Wayne may have spent his career as a type B - listing westerly superstar .
Wayne ’s first lead role was in 1930’sThe Big Trail , an epic risky venture set along the Oregon Trail . This Western was designed to be a major hit , but its box - office staff failure would place Wayne ’s career back about a decade . It was n’t until his breakout role in 1939’sStagecoachthat his career really took off . The movie features an ensemble plaster cast who all do slap-up work , butWayne is so charismatic as the Ringo Kid he stealsStagecoach .
verbalize about this John Ford Western onThe Phil Donahue Showin 1976 , Wayne aver " I love Stagecoach of course because I step on that stage and it expect me a long ways . " Just likeThe Searchers , Stagecoachis debate a watershed title in the genre , and if it had n’t follow , Wayne may have drop his career as a Bel - inclination Western ace .
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The onscreen pairing of John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara created one of Hollywood ’s most abiding duos , that included funniness , romance , and Westerns .
Not that Wayne ’s sentence in those no - budget Westerns was a total dissipation , since they make him a prospect to experiment and work out on his screen persona . Stagecoachis the film where all the tough work paid off , and he would spend the next 37 years as one of the big stars in the business sector .
John Wayne Did His Best Work With Director John Ford
There is no John Wayne without John Ford’s guidance
Every John Wayne & John Ford Movie
John Wayne ’s Character
Stagecoach(1939 )
Stagecoach, directed by John Ford, follows a diverse group of travelers on a stagecoach journey through dangerous Apache territory. As they face the threat of Geronimo, the passengers confront personal challenges and gain insight into each other’s lives amidst the perilous landscape.
The Ringo Kid
The Long Voyage Home(1940 )
Olsen
They Were Expendables(1945 )
Lt . John Brickley
fortress Apache(1948 )
Red River is a classic Western film directed by Howard Hawks and released in 1948. It stars John Wayne as Thomas Dunson and Montgomery Clift as his adopted son, Matt Garth. The story follows their harrowing journey driving cattle from Texas to Missouri, showcasing themes of leadership, conflict, and perseverance. Notable for its strong performances and dynamic narrative, Red River remains a quintessential entry in the Western genre.
Capt . Kirby York
3 Godfathers(1948 )
Robert Marmaduke Sangster Hightower
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon(1949 )
Capt . Nathan Cutting Brittles
Rio Grande(1950 )
Lt . Col . Kirby Yorke
The Quiet Man(1952 )
Sean Thornton
The Searchers(1956 )
Ethan Edwards
The Wings of Eagles(1957 )
Frank W. ' Spig ' Wead
The Horse Soldiers(1959 )
Col . John Marlowe
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance(1962 )
Tom Doniphon
How the West Was Won(1962 )
Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman
Donovan ’s Reef(1963 )
Michael Patrick ' Guns ' Donovan
Like Wayne himself , John Ford is a complicated figure . He appeared outwardly gruff and has been labeled a ill-famed rowdy for how he ran his Seth , often humiliating his actors , Wayne included . Yet , he is also said to have been a mystic softie , who cultivated an outward image of toughness to hold up the movie business . Whatever the truth , Ford helped Wayne turn into the movie star he became , with the latter see Ford as his wise man .
In total , Ford and Wayne made 14 moving-picture show together , most of which contain the actor ’s good work . In addition to the Westerns mentioned above , they made romantic dramaThe Quiet Man , warfare movies likeThey Were spendable , with their final collaboration being 1963’sDonovan ’s Reef . There might be certain movies where Wayne did n’t tug himself too firmly as a performing artist , but when influence with Ford , he never even came close to phoning it in .
In many ways , Wayne’sRed Riverperformance prefigured his bout inThe Searchers . InRed Riverhe played a much old character than he was during filming , with Wayne ’s Dunson being both the protagonistandantagonistof the floor . He ’s a complex figure who despite being hard to like , still makes for a compelling lead . Ford and Wayne’sThe Man Who Shot Liberty Valanceis among the star ’s finest workplace , too .
Why The Searchers Is Still Considered John Wayne’s Best Movie
The Searchers is a must see for Western fans
Being that it was produced in 1956 , there are things aboutThe Searchersthat do n’t play well in modern - day . This let in some misfiring funny relief and white actors wager aboriginal American role . There is much to admire about the photographic film too , include the performances , the subtext - productive story and the gorgeous visuals . It rewards multiple viewings also , with a credibleSearchersfan hypothesis submit Ethan is secretly Debbie ’s fatherandthat’swhy he ’s so determined to see her . The movie has been rip off and homaged too .
Outside ofStar state of war , the Western also inspiredTaxi Driver- another tale of a antiblack war vet rescuing a immature female child - Ron Howard’sThe Missingand even Paul Bettany vampire horrorPriest . When Wayne break away away from his standard westerly sub , he also showed he could put in amazing employment . The Searchersis his top achievement in that compliments , and even if he feel some of his other body of work with Ford amaze it out , there is a understanding the film is moot his masterwork .
Source : American Titan : Searching for John Wayne , The Phil Donahue Show
The Searchers is a 1956 Western play starring John Wayne . Wayne stars as Ethan Edwards , who goes research for his escape niece after his brother ’s family is stamp out by the Comanche federation of tribes . Helmed by film director John Ford , The Searchers is now deal one of the greatest American Westerns ever made .
