The Searchers (1956)

Written by Alan Le May, Frank S. Nugent

Directed by John Ford

Running Time: 100 minutes (approx)

Production Year: 1956

Rating: PG Certificate

Production Country: USA

Filmed in Colour

Embittered ex-Confederate soldier Ethan Edwards (John Wayne, pictured) returns from war to find his brother and sister-in-law killed and his nieces kidnapped by Indians. Learning that one niece (Natalie Wood) is alive, he and his nephew Martin (Jeffrey Hunter) search for her. Edwards is determined to kill the Indians who captured her, even at the expense of saving his niece.

Ford and Wayne made an incredible 22 films together, during which they developed a longstanding friendship and mutual respect. Ford gave Wayne his big break in 1939 with Stagecoach, ensuring the B-movie actor's move to screen icon and box-office star. Ford helped develop Wayne's heroic screen persona and directed the actor in this 1956 movie, considered by many his best performance.

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Cast

John Wayne		Ethan Edwards
Jeffrey Hunter		Martin Pawley
Vera Miles		Laurie Jorgensen
Ward Bond		Rev. Capt. Samuel Johnston Clayton
Natalie Wood		Debbie Edwards
John Qualen		Lars Jorgensen
Olive Carey		Mrs. Jorgensen
Henry Brandon		Chief Cicatrice
Ken Curtis		Charlie McCorry
Harry Carey Jr.		Brad Jorgensen
Antonio Moreno		Emilio Figueroa
Hank Worden		Mose Harper
Beulah Archuletta
Walter Coy		Aaron Edwards
Dorothy Jordan		Martha Edwards