This movie shows up on a lot of "Best Lists" … Best Western of All Time, Best John Ford Movie and Best Acting by John Wayne, to name just a few. It is well deserving of these accolades for many reasons. The most fundamental is that it is an entertaining story told by filmmakers at the top of their craft. The saga of Ethan Edwards and his five-year search for his Indian-abducted niece broke new ground for its particular genre. This movie's hero is not your typical justice and community loving Western protagonist. Ethan Edwards is an angry, driven, racist loner. When Edwards learns his niece is living as the wife of one of her kidnappers, his hatred for the Indians leads him to believe that it is his duty to kill not rescue young Debbie. Ultimately Edward's psychological journey is the story that John Wayne and John Ford wanted to tell and they have done so expertly. So let's put an amen to it and present to you the Destination Hollywood Tribute to The Searchers.
Only 10 years old when she made her first movie she made a movie virtually every year after that until 1970. Her tragic death left us with an abbreviated but rich career which is spotlighted in our Tribute to Natalie Wood.