tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031921900753703734.post8456920301912238635..comments2024-01-01T06:02:03.279-05:00Comments on From the MOON to the GRAIL: 304. The Searchers (1956)Andrew D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13875921908336809524noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031921900753703734.post-597581321110867392015-10-21T14:56:50.709-04:002015-10-21T14:56:50.709-04:00I did not know he named his son Ethan. Interesting...I did not know he named his son Ethan. Interesting.<br /><br />I think we've compiled an even better review here in the comments section than I put together above. Thanks to everyone who joined in on the conversation.Andrew D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13875921908336809524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031921900753703734.post-47784131299855794462015-10-20T11:03:45.289-04:002015-10-20T11:03:45.289-04:00I feel life everything that you guys and girls are...I feel life everything that you guys and girls are saying about this movie only makes me appreciate it more. I've never thought of westerns as so deep. Cowboys vs. Indians, "lets muddle through the desert on our horses and form posses and shoot guns, yay".. Yet here's a western with actual themes and characters that are ripe for dissection. <br /><br />Perhaps we're meant to see it as, only a man as hateful as Ethan could sacrifice the five years+ necessary to hunt down Scar and Debbie? Would Martin have found Debra without Ethan, no. He may have even given up, if not for wanting to best Ethan, prove he could hang with the Duke. Perhaps without his racism, Debra would've been doomed, because a man without a hateful heart would have eventually just left her to the Comanche - not Ethan. <br /><br />And then at the end, when he's served his purpose, he's no longer needed...Andrew D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13875921908336809524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031921900753703734.post-86792736171443230322015-10-20T10:20:32.032-04:002015-10-20T10:20:32.032-04:00I agree completely with what you said. I found Et...I agree completely with what you said. I found Ethan to be repulsive (although I never got the sense that we were supposed to root for him like Clint Eastwood's character in High Plains Drifter). But at the end of the movie I felt like the message was that he didn't belong anymore. (and to an extent, John Wayne didn't belong either). However, I suppose this is open to interpretation and a racist, sexist person could easily think of Ethan as a champion. So it's a tough one...but that is what makes it fun!Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13701724130997076650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031921900753703734.post-40918001811767351502015-10-18T21:24:54.542-04:002015-10-18T21:24:54.542-04:00Okay, yeah...I think I may have known that. I thin...Okay, yeah...I think I may have known that. I think I MIGHT have see The Missing but it's been 10+ years ago and I don't remember a lick of it.Andrew D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13875921908336809524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031921900753703734.post-39884612364026163352015-10-18T15:02:17.883-04:002015-10-18T15:02:17.883-04:00No, I definitely get what you're saying.
So i...No, I definitely get what you're saying.<br /><br />So in a modern revamp, I'd feel sorrier for THAT character walking down the black street, all alone. See...I didn't pick up on that from Wayne's character. It went over my head that "Oh, he's all alone cause he's a jerk". <br /><br />Even though I AM bothered by these macho types in real, everyday life...they don't seem to get to me on film as much as they irk you, which is fine. I completely understand your hatred for Ethan and its justified. I think you're right too about the Ford/Wayne pairing being very hesitant to make Ethan come off as the bad guy. He's clearly the knight in shining armor here and clearly Martin wouldn't have found Debra sans Ethan.<br /><br />Thank you for the well thought out reply Ray, always appreciated!Andrew D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13875921908336809524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031921900753703734.post-19436758662458513962015-10-18T09:00:59.006-04:002015-10-18T09:00:59.006-04:00I haven't seen the film but director Ron Howar...I haven't seen the film but director Ron Howard has stated in several TV interviews that "The Missing" (2003) is an updated remake of "The Searchers" (1956).Paul Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16198187717501100702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031921900753703734.post-48794948304657557492015-10-18T03:16:41.444-04:002015-10-18T03:16:41.444-04:00Oh boy, this is going to be difficult .. and a bit...Oh boy, this is going to be difficult .. and a bit heavy.<br /><br />There are times when I've had decided differences of opinion with you Andrew .. and that's fine .. I don't think we've ever fallen out about anything - not even Casablanca or Cat People. We don't think anything the less of each other for that difference. Sometimes - and this is the good bit - a disagree makes us both pause, even if for only a moment - to reconsider. <br /><br />Even better still, if one of us makes a point that can be expressed. loosely, as "Try looking at it this way", and we do ... Bear with me.. I will come back to this at the end.<br /><br />These things are great, and it's why we are on such a board.<br /><br />And when we disagree, we can both pretty much be sure someone will back our side.<br /><br />So imagine my feeling of utter isolation as I stand, all alone, facing not just you Andrew, but Larry and Amanda in almost detesting this one.<br /><br />Thing is, I sort of suspect (know?) I am the wrong one. I guess I have almost chosen to misunderstand the whole message of the movie.<br />I just cannot get past the vile character and attitude of Ethan. The whole thing of 'she's been abducted and raped by people different to us, so SHE has to die.<br />Now, before you all rush to correct me, I guess I do, sort of, get the punch line. That end shot. Ethan is ALONE. His attitudes have isolated him, and I guess that is maybe what we should take away .. all that racism, sexism and other assorted hates don't belong in a decent household (read as 'society').<br />Maybe. But this is a John Wayne western by John Ford. I cannot get it out of my head we are supposed to be rooting for him, and I'm sorry, but I suspect both Wayne and Ford spent the film doing so. I still suspect they see it as a shame that such a fine man as Wayne/Ethan is cast out. He did 'what a man's gotta do' and we should end up sympathising with him and regret that the 'good, decent folks' don't share his view on the ways of the old west.<br />There is such a vile taste all through this film, that a (to me) token gesture at the end will not take away.<br /><br />But .. and this is the great bit I was thinking of at thee beginning.. Andrew.. I loved this bit in your review.. "If you think about it, this is just as much a detective story, as it is a western. I personally think someone (preferably talented) needs to remake The Searchers, but not as a western." And That made me think... <br /><br />Wow, yes .. A modern take. Large city. Black or Hispanic street gang abducts and rapes nice middle class white girl. Relative goes after her, gunning down any other Black / Hispanic he happens to come across, irrespective of their part - or lack of- in the crime. How on earth would we feel about him ending the film walking off at the end of the film with a "Aww isn't it sad for him to be left all alone" composed shot and sympathetic score?<br /><br />Phew . Sorry folks, that went on a bit.<br /><br />Now Ray has to walk off the board, all alone, whilst Andrew, Amanda and Larry go "poor guy, he didn't get it did he"Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06918265332894443061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031921900753703734.post-48044131618297834492015-10-17T22:49:15.205-04:002015-10-17T22:49:15.205-04:00Thank you Amanda! Thank you Amanda! Andrew D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13875921908336809524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031921900753703734.post-57583759751821344032015-10-17T22:48:26.435-04:002015-10-17T22:48:26.435-04:00Glad to know I'm not alone in calling this &qu...Glad to know I'm not alone in calling this "not a great". Thanks for the comment Larry.Andrew D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13875921908336809524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031921900753703734.post-5114397021310204642015-10-17T15:18:22.387-04:002015-10-17T15:18:22.387-04:00It was so funny that you mentioned essays, because...It was so funny that you mentioned essays, because I wrote an essay on The Searchers in college! I love this movie. Good review!Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13701724130997076650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031921900753703734.post-367854270947686772015-10-17T13:09:38.514-04:002015-10-17T13:09:38.514-04:00I completely agree with your score. The Searchers ...I completely agree with your score. The Searchers is a good film, but I have never understood the greatest Western label. Good review.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16656769712133410719noreply@blogger.com