San Holo
Active member
The Searchers is one of my all time favorites. It has earned its place in the legacy of great American films for many reasons. Mainly because it's the definitive role for John Wayne as an icon of the classic Western. Wayne's character(Ethan) is shrouded in mystery and the movie keeps you guessing about his past. After years of being away, Duke visits his brother and sister-in-law at their ranch and is horrified when they are killed by Comanches. The movie hints that he and his brother's wife had a secret love going on that may have even produced a child(Debbie) who is abducted by the marauding Comanches. Wayne's search for his daughter/niece becomes an all-consuming obsession. With the help of a family friend, he hits the trail on a five-year quest for revenge. I have always wondered what motivated Wayne's character to keep searching. And though the movie never states it, I've always felt that the girl was not his niece. Do you think Debbie is Ethan's daughter?
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