The Searchers 4K Review (Warner Archive Collection)

The Searchers is a 1956 western directed by John Ford (How the West Was Won, Two Rode Together, The Horse Soldiers, Rio Grande, The Grapes of Wrath, 3 Godfathers, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance). It was written by Frank S. Nugent (Two Rode Together, Gunman’s Walk, They Rode West, The Quiet Man, and 3 Godfathers). It’s based on the novel from author Alan Le May. It was produced by Merian C. Cooper (3 Godfathers, The Fugitive, King Kong, Mighty Joe Young, Rio Grande, Fort Apache, Son of Kong, and Dr. Cyclops). The estimated budget was $3,750,000. Ex-Confederate soldier Ethan Edwards (played by: John Wayne from True Grit, Brannigan, The Train Robbers, The Cowboys, Big Jake, 3 Godfathers, Rio Lobo, The Green Berets, Rio Bravo, The Longest Day, and Hondo) is desperately looking for his missing niece Debbie (played by: Lana Wood from Diamonds Are Forever and Natalie Wood from West Side Story) after her family is massacred by Comanches. She is captured so now he must follow their bloody trail to rescue his family from this living hell. He refuses to surrender to hunger, thirst, the rough elements, and loneliness during his brutal five-year search. As more time passes, he begins to encounter something unexpected from himself, his own humanity. Will it help him achieve his ambitious goal???? The Searchers was the 12th collaboration between the iconic director John Ford and the legendary actor John Wayne. They were one of the best combinations in cinema of all time. Their chemistry was so natural on every project and it really shows on the screen. The script is excellent, you see a man willing to do whatever it takes to track down his niece. It takes your cowboys and indians rivalry to something else. John Wayne is great as Ethan Edwards. He’s dedicated to finding his family after a gruesome tragedy. He’s willing to sacrifice everything to bring Debbie home. It’s one of the best roles and performances from The Duke. He’s not exactly a hero like most of his other major characters, he really walks the line to damn near villain in this. He doesn’t like Native Americans and he’s definitely not shy about it. You really end up appreciating Ethan Edwards more as he becomes a better person in this. The Searchers is loaded with so much talent. The supporting cast includes Natalie Wood, Lana Wood, Vera Miles (Psycho), Jeffrey Hunter (King of Kings), Ward Bond (It’s a Wonderful Life), John Qualen (Casablanca), Olive Carey (The Alamo), Henry Brandon (Assault on Precinct 13), Ken Curtis (Gunsmoke), Harry Carey Jr. (Tombstone), Antonio Moreno (Creature from the Black Lagoon), Hank Worden (Runaway Train), Walter Coy (Pancho Villa), Dorothy Jordan (Down to Earth), Pippa Scott (Terror on the 40th Floor), and Patrick Wayne (Young Guns). The Searchers is one of highest quality Westerns ever made and it’s a beauty to witness. It doesn’t hold back when it comes to violence and letting the characters just be themselves. There’s no sugar coating, what you see is what you get in The Searchers. It’s a wild journey, it keeps your attention from beginning to finish. I really enjoy darker material like this, Ethan Edwards is an unlikable lead for most of it. You get experience some redemption from someone with a bad past trying to make things right. The Searchers has incredible replay value, I love that you always notice something else while watching this again. It remains to be one of the best looking Westerns ever put together after all these years, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!! Let’s discuss this high definition presentation and the list of special features from the Warner Archive Collection! This 2080p (1.85:1) transfer with Dolby Vision and HDR10 is from a brand new 4K restoration. It was handled by Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging and Warner Bros. Archival Mastering in collaboration with The Film Foundation. The Searchers looks amazing in Vista Vision. It’s one of greatest visual productions in the history of cinema. It’s reference quality and it’s at it’s highest possible level. The cinematography, production design, locations, and action really stands out here. It has the archival “Audio Commentary” with director Peter Bogdanovich. That’s the only extra located on the UHD. All of the other stuff is located on the blu ray. It has the “1996 Introduction” by Patrick Wayne that’s almost 2 minutes. It has the little over 31 minute “The Searchers: An Appreciation”. It has the little over 33 minute “A Turning of the Earth: John Ford, John Wayne and The Searchers”. It has almost a minute of “Newsreel” coverage of the film’s world premiere that’s exclusive to this UHD. It has almost 12 minutes of “Outtakes” that’s exclusive here. It has the almost 22 minute “Behind the Cameras ” which includes “Meet Jeffrey Hunter”, “Monument Valley”, “Meet Natalie Wood”, and “Setting Up Production”. It has the original “Trailer”. It comes with a slipcover and a blu ray copy of the release. The 4K debut from the Warner Archive Collection is stacked with all kinds of bonus material. I can’t wait to see what is next from the label when it comes to UHD. This is a must own for John Wayne and Western fans. It’s available everywhere right now including MovieZyng.com, CHECK IT OUT!!!!