The Searchers
Movie, 1956, The '50s and before, Set in Texas, 1868
The Searchers is #6 of 34 in release order and #6 of 34 in chronological order in the Westerns.
The story
As a Civil War veteran spends years searching for a young niece captured by Indians, his motivation becomes increasingly questionable.
The Searchers recap
The Searchers (1956) follows Ethan Edwards, a Confederate veteran who spends years tracking the Comanche band that took his niece. John Ford directs. In 1868 Ethan (John Wayne) returns to his brother Aaron's Texas ranch, where he is drawn to Aaron's wife Martha. A Comanche raid led by Chief Scar (Henry Brandon) kills Aaron, Martha and their son and carries off the girls, Lucy and Debbie. Ethan rides out with Martin Pawley (Jeffrey Hunter), an adopted son of the family who is part Cherokee, and whom Ethan treats with open contempt. Lucy is found dead. The search lasts five years and crosses the plains in all seasons, while Martin's sweetheart Laurie Jorgensen (Vera Miles) waits. When they finally find Debbie (Natalie Wood), now grown and one of Scar's wives, she tells them to leave, and Ethan tries to shoot her; Martin shields her. Ethan's hatred becomes the real subject. The film stands alone.
The Searchers ending explained
The Searchers ends with Ethan sweeping Debbie up and taking her home rather than killing her. Texas Rangers raid Scar's camp; Martin kills Scar and Ethan scalps him. Ethan chases Debbie down, lifts her up and says "Let's go home, Debbie." At the Jorgensen ranch everyone goes inside, and Ethan stays on the porch before turning away as the door closes on him. Alan Le May's 1954 novel names the uncle Amos, and he does not survive it.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch The Searchers
The Searchers is streaming on fuboTV, YouTube TV, and Fawesome in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.8/10, Rotten Tomatoes 87%
Where it fits
Cast
- John Wayne as Ethan Edwards
- Jeffrey Hunter as Martin Pawley
- Vera Miles as Laurie Jorgensen
- Ward Bond as Rev. Capt. Samuel Johnston Clayton
- Natalie Wood as Debbie Edwards
- John Qualen as Lars Jorgensen
- Olive Carey as Mrs. Jorgensen
- Henry Brandon as Chief Cicatriz (Scar)
- Ken Curtis as Charlie McCorry
- Harry Carey Jr. as Brad Jorgensen
- Antonio Moreno as Emilio Gabriel Fernandez y Figueroa
- Hank Worden as Mose Harper
Directed by John Ford.