Well damn. This Western definitely held my attention longer than most westerns. A lot of action is packed into it, and it's not of the usual angry gunslinger rolling into town variety. Wayne plays a racist asshole who returns to his brother's house after roaming for 3 years once the South lost the war. He still wears his confederate uniform, just so we understand what kind of person he is. He calls his brother's adopted son a "half breed", even though he himself found the kid starving and brought him to his brother. Most of the movie takes place roaming in the countryside, as Wayne and his "half-breed" nephew look for the two daughters who were kidnapped by a Comanche tribe led by Chief Scar. (the rest of the family has been massacred).
The idea is that Ford was trying to think about racism as a justification for the annihilation of the native americans, and he goes a good step in this direction. The character of Martin, the adopted son, is the most complex character, as he shows compassion for the native americans when Wayne has absolutely none. And when Wayne and Martin finally do find the youngest daughter, five years later, she has assimilated into the Comanche culture. Wayne tries to shot her, when she refuses to go with them. But later, he finds her again and hugs her, and she decides she does want to go home with the white men after all. So... does Wayne really vindicate himself?
It's also hard to watch this film when you read about the kind of hatred Wayne really did have... it doesn't feel like he's acting like a jerk, but simply is a jerk. Maybe that's just good acting.
A perfect Saturday movie. 12th in the top 100 list? Maybe not.
The idea is that Ford was trying to think about racism as a justification for the annihilation of the native americans, and he goes a good step in this direction. The character of Martin, the adopted son, is the most complex character, as he shows compassion for the native americans when Wayne has absolutely none. And when Wayne and Martin finally do find the youngest daughter, five years later, she has assimilated into the Comanche culture. Wayne tries to shot her, when she refuses to go with them. But later, he finds her again and hugs her, and she decides she does want to go home with the white men after all. So... does Wayne really vindicate himself?
It's also hard to watch this film when you read about the kind of hatred Wayne really did have... it doesn't feel like he's acting like a jerk, but simply is a jerk. Maybe that's just good acting.
A perfect Saturday movie. 12th in the top 100 list? Maybe not.
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