After
reading Glenn Frankel's book on THE SEARCHERS I finally got around to
watching the movie, again, on Blu-ray. What a magnificent
print...didn't think it could but this version made Monument Valley look
even more majestic and beautiful. I watched it differently this time.
I concentrated on John Wayne's performance and what a performance it
is....maybe one of the best screen acting jobs ever. "No," you say,
"John Wayne can't act. How can you say this?" My reply...."Just watch
the movie." No matter what preconceived notions you may have about John
Wayne, his acting, his politics, etc. Just put all that behind you and
sit down and watch this great film. THE SEARCHERS, along with ONCE
UPON A TIME IN THE WEST, are not only my two favorite westerns of all
time but two of my favorite movies of all time. Now maybe I'll find
time to re-read my copy of Alan LeMay's book of the same name...57 years
later.
