From Darthyoshi on the cinematic journey

Just saw The Searchers.

First of all, I hate John Wayne and dislike most westerns. Considering this, I actually liked it a lot. It was made in 1955, so this was before John Wayne started to make fun of himself in movies like McClintock. His character had much more depth than I have ever seen in any other Western. He came from the Confederate ranks and returned to his family in Texas in 1868 with a questionable stash of newly minted Northern money. He is cold, realistic, and racist. As the movie takes place over about 5 years, you have to wonder what keeps him motivated. The cinematography was fantastic. It was the factor that really made this movie more than just a western. Of course, it had its silly characters for comic relief, and its stupid 1950s stereotypes. I think my favorite part was where Marty and Charlie were going to fight over the girl, going in between courteousness and violent hatred. Reminded me of The Rules of the Game, to be honest.

Not the best movie, but definitely one of the best westerns.

This is an amazing film. It deserves it's place on the list and could be the best western ever made. It's not without flaws but they come with the time period which this film was made. The cinematography is top notch. The Searchers is a must see on Blu-ray.

This film is one of my top three favorite films of all time, a true classic.

The Searchers is one of the best films ever made and The Duke should have been nominated for Best Actor that year. This movie proved John Wayne wasn't a one trick pony.

Okay I can buy the argument that the Searchers is well-shot, and the last shot in particular is good, but why exactly is it one of the best films ever made? Again, the subplot is unredeemably awful. It'd be like if Citizen Kane had a segment in which the bumbling Jedidah had a love interest and amusing antics and pratfalls ensued. It's unbelievably jarring and at right angles to the rest of the film.

And if you think that The Searchers proved John Wayne had more than one note in him, you have very low standards for actors' range. It reminds me of when people claimed Hugh Grant was playing a "different" role in Bridget Jones' Diary because instead of being sweetly charming and affable he was roguishly charming and affable. John Wayne, like Grant, is ideally suited for some roles but I think he's decidedly one-note