To be fair, I had high expectations for this movie so maybe I oversold it to myself. I heard such great things, but ultimately The Searchers disappointed me. The idea was great, the setting was good, but the execution was subpar. The acting wasn't that great, and there were a few moments where some of the characters' decisions didn't make sense. The ending where you think John Wayne is going to kill her, and then he says let's go home is cheesy. Not that I have a problem with John's character making that decision, but I just thought it was cheesy in the way it was done. There are many moments in the movie where the acting could have been better and the dialogue written more realistic, I'm not just calling out that one line of the movie. There were good moments in the film though, with my favorite being the sequence where the letter is being read and John and the other guy are trying to find Debbie. Overall, the movie has a great and interesting storyline, but poor execution.

I love this film. It's not necessarily my favorite John Wayne character, but it is my favorite John Wayne movie and also my favorite John Ford film. When first watching The Searchers, it feels like it's going to be a normal John Wayne film which is normally a good to very good film where you love John Wayne (you love him in anything he's in), but usually it's not a great film with the exception of some of the greats that he has done. But as you keep watching The Searchers, you realize this isn't the norm, their is substance and greatness here. The Searchers is an epic film exploring greatness on all levels with one of the most powerful endings in movie history which is the incarnate of what John Wayne symbolizes. The Searchers is first rate supreme, a magnificent film displaying John Wayne's best qualities as an actor as well as John Ford's superb direction. A must see for any movie buff!!

I won't spend too much time articulating the reasons for my disenchantment with this offering. Wasting 2 hours viewing it was painful enough. Of the thousands of titles I own or have researched, this one ranks among the very worst and clearly does not deserve the status it has gotten. To be fair, I tried to assess this film from all angles. Shame on me for purchasing it. The fact that this movie gets the high praise and recognition (ranked no.12 on AFI's 100 Greatest American Films 2007 list) is appalling. This falls right in line with America itself...low standards or no standards. It appears the Liberal and (or) grievance industry's influence may be the culprit here. I'm sorry but pretty cinematography alone does not justify treating this title with such reverence.

A classic from possibly the greatest actor-director combination in the history of westerns: John Wayne and John Ford.An epic western. Epic in its timespan, its vistas, in its sheer grandeur.Entertaining story, with a plot that feels just right - complete, circular and doesn't overstay its welcome.Pacing is just right. Movie doesn't get bogged down at any stage. However, there are some silly detours that threaten to derail the progress.Incredible cinematography and scenery. Fantastic soundtrack too.Moreover, you get a feeling that this is how the west really was: untamed, where everyone had to be resourceful and also rely on their fellow settlers for survival.Solid performance by John Wayne in the lead role. His sheer presence carries the film. Good support from Jeffrey Hunter and Vera Miles. Natalie Wood (aged 17 at the time) does well as (the older) Debbie. Henry Brandon is suitably menacing as Scar.However, it is some of the other performances, or characters, that let the movie down and prevent it from being an absolute masterpiece. I found the Reverend, played by Ward Bond, incredibly irritating. So too Lars Jorgenson (played by John Qualen), Charlie McCorry (played by Ken Curtis) and Mose Harper (played by Hank Worden). All these characters just don't seem real: they're either overly stereotypical or extreme. It feels like every single one of those actors is over-acting.