Film Review: The Theme of Vengeance and Racism in The Searchers (1957) by John Ford
This film review will examine the themes of vengeance and racism in the western film The Searchers by John Ford. Ford’s film defines the racism of 19th century white settlers that sought to commit genocide against Native Americans due to skin color and cultural differences. The main character of this film, Ethan Edwards (John Wayne), is a former Confederate officer that returns to West Texas to stay with his brother’s family. Ethan’s racial prejudice creates a violent environment that is exacerbated when his niece, Debbie Edwards (Natalie Wood), is kidnapped by a local Comanche tribe. After the being defeated in the Civil War, Ethan’s racism defines the bloodthirsty …show more content…
Outwardly, the film appeared to be racist due to the historically inaccurate Indian costumes, the white Indian chief aka. Scar (Henry Brandon), and Ethan’s dominating presence, but the overall message of the film defines the unethical and immoral massacre of Indians in the settling of the west. Ethan’s racist as a former Confederate solider defines the underlying theme of hatred and violence that took the form of a genocidal vengeance against Scar and the Comanche tribe. More so, it defines the cruel nature of racial purity that Ethan pursues in denying the humanity of Martin and Debbie (in a cultural manner) as Native Americans. The Searchers portrays the ugliness of racism and the hateful spirit of vengeance that is embodied in Ethan’s central role in the film. I would give this film a 8.5 in the depiction of historical accuracy in the way that John Ford exposes the racial genocide of westward expansion of white settlers into Comanche country during the Texas and Indian Wars. However, this film does reveal the historically inaccurate presentation of Indians during the 1950s, but John Ford exposes the negative spirit of racism and hatred that Ethan’s vengeance brings forth for interracial white/Indians and the tribal peoples depicted in the late 19th century
This film review will examine the themes of vengeance and racism in the western film The Searchers by John Ford. Ford’s film defines the racism of 19th century white settlers that sought to commit genocide against Native Americans due to skin color and cultural differences. The main character of this film, Ethan Edwards (John Wayne), is a former Confederate officer that returns to West Texas to stay with his brother’s family. Ethan’s racial prejudice creates a violent environment that is exacerbated when his niece, Debbie Edwards (Natalie Wood), is kidnapped by a local Comanche tribe. After the being defeated in the Civil War, Ethan’s racism defines the bloodthirsty …show more content…
Outwardly, the film appeared to be racist due to the historically inaccurate Indian costumes, the white Indian chief aka. Scar (Henry Brandon), and Ethan’s dominating presence, but the overall message of the film defines the unethical and immoral massacre of Indians in the settling of the west. Ethan’s racist as a former Confederate solider defines the underlying theme of hatred and violence that took the form of a genocidal vengeance against Scar and the Comanche tribe. More so, it defines the cruel nature of racial purity that Ethan pursues in denying the humanity of Martin and Debbie (in a cultural manner) as Native Americans. The Searchers portrays the ugliness of racism and the hateful spirit of vengeance that is embodied in Ethan’s central role in the film. I would give this film a 8.5 in the depiction of historical accuracy in the way that John Ford exposes the racial genocide of westward expansion of white settlers into Comanche country during the Texas and Indian Wars. However, this film does reveal the historically inaccurate presentation of Indians during the 1950s, but John Ford exposes the negative spirit of racism and hatred that Ethan’s vengeance brings forth for interracial white/Indians and the tribal peoples depicted in the late 19th century