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From Amazon.co.uk
A favourite film of some of the world's greatest filmmakers, including Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, John Ford's The Searchers has earned its place in the legacy of great American films for a variety of reasons. Perhaps most notably, it's the definitive role for John Wayne as an icon of the classic Western--the hero (or antihero) who must stand alone according to the unwritten code of The West. The story takes place in Texas in 1868; Wayne plays Ethan Edwards, a Confederate veteran who visits his brother and sister-in-law at their ranch and is horrified when they are killed by marauding Comanches. Ethan's search for a surviving niece (played by young Natalie Wood) becomes an all-consuming obsession. With the help of a family friend (Jeffrey Hunter) who is himself part-Cherokee, Ethan hits the trail on a five-year quest for revenge. At the peak of his masterful talent, director Ford crafts this classic tale as an embittered examination of racism and blind hatred, provoking Wayne to give one of the best performances of his career. As with many of Ford's classic Westerns, The Searchers must contend with revisionism in its stereotypical treatment of "savage" Native Americans, and the film's visual beauty (the final shot is one of the great images in all of Western culture) is compromised by some uneven performances and stilted dialogue. Still, this is undeniably one of the greatest Westerns ever made. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By S. Slottje
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
This film is absolutely fantastic in bluray. It really does the landscapes and costumes justice. If you like this film you'll love this fabulous rendition.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
This and The Shootist are my two favourite westerns - John Wayne is very different in these two films and I think both performances are great. I disliked Wayne quite a lot until I saw these two movies, and they changed my mind fast.
The photography and editing are superb, and as always in Wayne westerns, even this darkest one, there is a golden vein of humour in it, not as much as usual in his films but it's still there.
Some of the shots in this film are astounding; the great closing scene of course, and I think the shot earlier on where the camera moves in as Wayne spins round and stares (and I mean stares!)at an 'indianised' white girl, is one of the best shots I've ever seen in any film. The intensity of that shot is unforgettable.
A really great film.
The photography and editing are superb, and as always in Wayne westerns, even this darkest one, there is a golden vein of humour in it, not as much as usual in his films but it's still there.
Some of the shots in this film are astounding; the great closing scene of course, and I think the shot earlier on where the camera moves in as Wayne spins round and stares (and I mean stares!)at an 'indianised' white girl, is one of the best shots I've ever seen in any film. The intensity of that shot is unforgettable.
A really great film.
35 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
When taking this film in context, it was 1956 after all, this is an amazing film, full of wonderful panoramic backdrops of monument valley and the surrounding area. OK, so the story is a bit weak in places, the acting a bit wooden at times and it is full of clichés, but it has this magic charm that is irresistible.
The real magic lies in the cinematography that was well above the standard of the day, and is better than a lot of modern films. Each scene is carefully constructed, with beautiful western style back drops, and a real sense of the harsh environment they are playing the story out in.
The picture quality is very good, full 1080p, sharp edges and little unintentional bobbing around like old films do sometimes. Occasionally there is the small fault, but given the very good restoration they did, it embarrasses some modern films in its presentation.
The supplements are very good. There are several documentaries about how they made the film, about the people in it. It is interesting to see original TV shots and film shots of the set, and you can really see what the standard of the day was like in visual and audio production, which gives you a better appreciation of the film.
Overall, it's an enjoyable presentation, but remember it is from 1956, so not everyone's cup-of-tea.
The real magic lies in the cinematography that was well above the standard of the day, and is better than a lot of modern films. Each scene is carefully constructed, with beautiful western style back drops, and a real sense of the harsh environment they are playing the story out in.
The picture quality is very good, full 1080p, sharp edges and little unintentional bobbing around like old films do sometimes. Occasionally there is the small fault, but given the very good restoration they did, it embarrasses some modern films in its presentation.
The supplements are very good. There are several documentaries about how they made the film, about the people in it. It is interesting to see original TV shots and film shots of the set, and you can really see what the standard of the day was like in visual and audio production, which gives you a better appreciation of the film.
Overall, it's an enjoyable presentation, but remember it is from 1956, so not everyone's cup-of-tea.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
suprise gift
brought as surprise gift for friend, who had been looking for the film for ages, he watched the dvd and enjoyed every second of it and said quality was excelant would recomend... Read more
Published 13 days ago by darrel davidson-windsor
4.0 out of 5 stars
Castellano: audio y subtítulos
Este comentario se refiere a la Edición Especial de 2 Discos. Una agradable sorpresa. La edición parece ser la misma que la española y tanto la película... Read more
Published 20 days ago by Gillis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ford at his best
There is little that one can add to the comments on this superb western. Whether it's true or not that 'The Crickets' took their song title 'That'll be the day' from John Wayne's... Read more
Published 27 days ago by lycidas
5.0 out of 5 stars
As Good as expected
One of the all time great westerns filmed in an iconic part of USA looked good on DVD but is absolutely amazing in this new fully restored version. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr David Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars
Greatest Western of all time.
IMHO the best western ever made. The characters, the direction, the camera work, the lighting, the amazing scenery which evokes everything that was great about the genre. Read more
Published 1 month ago by David Purnell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing!
I recently bought this Blu Ray disc having already seen this fantastic movie many times over the years, although in many ways it seems I'm seeing it for the very first time now on... Read more
Published 2 months ago by RKBB
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfection
A perfect blu ray of a perfect film. It never occurred to me that The Searchers could have ever looked this good. Replace your DVD.
Published 2 months ago by Daniel
4.0 out of 5 stars
old western
good western dvd and was ok and if you like old western films with john wayne then it is worth buying
Published 2 months ago by mpe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Super DVD
Already had this DVD but it seems to have gone missing so bought another as it is so good! It is certainly one to have in your collection.
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. Marion Mallabar
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant blu ray: 'The Searchers' revealled
Just to add to the many articulate reviews here, but I must add that the blu ray version of this film [which I have seen many times and have on DVD] in 'The Westerns Collection'... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. Christopher Ball
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