The Searchers (1956)

When you sit down to watch a John Wayne movie you have an idea of what to expect. You know there are going to be bad guys and you know the Duke is going to be the hero. I thought all John Wayne movies worked like that but this one threw me off. John Wayne played a real S.O.B. in this one. At times I really couldn't stand his character and wish he'd be the one getting gunned down. This film made me realize that John Wayne wasn't just a guy who created an iconic character that he milked in most of his films but an actor who could put on a hell of a show when presented with the right subject matter.

The Searchers isn't your run of the mill formulaic western. It deals with hatred, revenge, bitterness, loss and shows a bit of how hard of a life it was being a settler in the old west. This movie doesn't waste it's time glorifying the old west like a lot of westerns do. As a result you get a movie that is compelling and interesting to watch even if some of it seems dated and the Native-Americans are just Puerto Ricans wearing feathers. If you have any interest in westerns give this one a look. I suspect it is one of the better ones out there.

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This movie is scheduled to stop streaming on 1/1/2011.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Sometimes I get in the mood for westerns and John Wayne is the go-to guy outside of Clint Eastwood.

Is it artsy? No, it's the Duke, he doesn't do "artsy".

Best thing about the movie? John Wayne being an ass to everyone.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? In the mood for some old fashioned gun slinging with an interesting story.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 4 Stars. 

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