#12 – The Searchers
Released in 1956, directed by John Ford, starring John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Ward Bond, Natalie Wood, and Vera Miles. I struggled with where to include this film in the twelve. It could have easily been much closer to the top of the list. This is arguably both John Ford’s best picture and John Wayne’s best performance. Based on the 1954 book of the same name by Alan Le May, the story is based on the true-life account of nine-year-old Cynthia Ann Parker who was abducted from her home on the Texas frontier in 1836 by Comanche Indians.
John Wayne plays anti-hero Ethan Edwards, a bitter Civil War veteran, who returns home to Texas after the war. When his brother’s family is killed or abducted by the Comanche, Ethan sets out on a journey to find the surviving family members and bring them home.
This film was nominated for six awards and won three, including a Golden Globe in 1958.
Mike,
It is an interesting list. I have only seen 2 of these. You make them sound pretty good. I am ready to start the popcorn and settle in for a while. 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Cami, I’m glad you enjoyed the list, and I’m especially glad that I could steer you on to some movies you weren’t familiar with. Pop a lot of popcorn; you’ve got quite a night of great Western movie watching ahead of you.
Yes, you are quite right good Sir! Lol.
Interesting list, Michael. It’s notable that only 4 of your choices are from the ‘classic’ western era, which I would define as 1939-1976. You like the post 1976 stuff better than me, and mini-series. And its obvious ROBERT DUVALL is your man!
Thanks for checking out my list, Andrew, and for commenting. You’ve got me figured out. I think Duvall is the quintessential cowboy. His characterization of Gus McCrae is probably the best performance in all of movie history.
1.Unforgiven
2.The Good the Bad and the Ugly
3.The man who shot Liberty Valance
4.Rio Bravo
5.The Searchers
6.red River
7.Stagecoach
8.Once Upon a Time in the West
9.Highnoon
10.My Darling Clementine
11.Hell or High Water
12.No country for Old Men
You have a couple of interesting choices on there. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is one that I’ve watched multiple times, as is Rio Bravo. As a modern Western, No Country for Old Men would be a good choice. Maybe I should do another list for modern Westerns. Thanks for your comment.
1. Once upon a Time in the West
2. The Searchers
3. The Magnificent Seven ( 1960)
4.Open Range
5. Tombstone
6. Red River (1948)
7. The Man from Laramie
8. Unforgiven
9. How the West was won
10. Hang ’em High
Thanks, Karim. Another great list. I’m beginning to think I should have found room for Tombstone. Maybe I should have made it the 13 Best Western Movies.
1. Unforgiven
2. Once Upon a Time in the West
3.good Bad and the Ugly
4. For a few Dollars more
5. Hang em high
6. Tombstone
7. Shane
8. The Searchers
9. Nevada Smith
10. Outlaw Josie Wales
These are all good ones, Lynn. I actually thought about expanding my list so I could include a few of these, but once I start doing that, there’ll be no end to it. Thanks for your comment.