If not John Ford’s best film, it falls in most critics’ top five. Warner Brothers brings it to DVD in an Ultimate Collector’s Edition and Special Edition.
In 1868, Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) is returning to the home of his brother several years after the Civil War is over. He comes home to his brother Aaron (Walter Coy), Aaron’s wife Martha (Dorothy Jordan), and his nephew Martin Pawley (Jeffrey Hunter). We see that Ethan does not react favorably to his nephew because he’s half-Indian.
We also see that Ethan obviously has more than familial love for Martha. While Ethan and Martin are away with the Reverend Captain Samuel Clayton (Ward Bond), Indians (led by Scar [Henry Brandon]) attack and kill their family - save for Debbie (Natalie Wood as the older Debbie) whom they capture and take with them.
So begins Ethan and Martin’s 5 year quest to find Debbie. Martin wants to find Debbie to save her and Ethan appears to want to find her to kill her since she’s been tainted by an Indian. All the while Laurie Jorgensen (Vera Miles) is pining away for Martin.
Simply put, the Searchers is one of John Ford’s masterpieces (of many). If this film does not fall at the top of Ford’s fans lists of his best films then it surely falls in the top five. It’s also John Wayne’s favorite film role.
His quest in some ways reminds me of Captain Ahab’s singular quest. Some things to look for: Jack Pennick (of course), Patrick Wayne (John’s son), Olive Carey, Harry Carey, Jr., and Hank Worden (as Mad Mose). Also pay attention to the final shot of Wayne, when he grabs his elbow it’s a subtle tribute to Harry Carey - as he used to adopt the same stance. Ford plays the impending doom of the Edwards family quite well in the dying light of the day, excellent stuff.
The Quest
Honestly, I could probably prattle on and on about it’s wonderful shots and characters, but just will say that it’s definitely the Ford film to have in your collection (if you only had to have one that is). It definitely has earned its classic status. To that end Warner Brothers has put it out in a 50th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition and a two disc special edition.
Disc one contains the film presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.77:1) and enhanced for 16x9 televisions. Special features on disc one include an introduction by Patrick Wayne, the theatrical trailer, and a commentary by Peter Bogdanovich.
Disc two contains the remaining special features. The first is the 30 minute featurette entitled “The Searchers: an Appreciation.” It features filmmakers Curtis Hanson, Martin Scorcese, and John Milius. They speak of their admiration of John Ford and of they’re love for the film.
The second is the 33 minute “A Turning of the Earth: John Ford, John Wayne, and the Searchers.” It tells the story of the production of the film with outtakes, behind the scene footage, home movies, and audio interviews with some of the surviving cast members. It’s directed by Nick Redman.
It features the voices of Patrick Wayne, John Milius, Pippa Scott, Lana Wood, Dan Ford, and Peter Rainer (as Harry Carey, Jr.). Next is a section called Behind the Camera and it has a television special hosted by Gig Young and runs a total of 21 minutes. You can watch each section (Jeffrey Hunter and Natalie Wood are featured) or use the play all feature.
According to the Internet Movie Database, The Searchers was the first film to use this sort of marketing promotion. The final feature is the theatrical trailer for The Assassination of Jesse James by the coward Robert Ford (starring Brad Pitt).
Wayne's tribute to Carey
You’ll notice about that I made reference to a Special Edition and also an Ultimate Collector’s Edition. The Special Edition contains only the two discs that I’ve detailed above. The Ultimate Collector’s edition is included in the John Wayne/John Ford Film Collection (as well as separately). The Ultimate Collector’s Edition also contains those discs and a reproduction of the Searchers comic book, press book, filmmaker’s correspondence, and press photos.
The Searchers is THE classic western and the top film from both Wayne and Ford. It deserves a spot in your DVD collection.
The Searchers: Ultimate Collector’s Edition is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD’s database for more information. This version of the DVD is also available as part of the John Wayne/John Ford Film Collection DVD set now available at Amazon . Visit the DVD's database for more information.
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