nnascati | 13 Jul 2019 2:41 p.m. PST |
All, I just read the novel The Searchers, which the classic John Wayne film is based on. Great book, well worth taking the time to read. The movie follows the book pretty closely, except for some odd changes that were made in making the film that really made no sense. |
Ferd45231 | 13 Jul 2019 3:49 p.m. PST |
Just curious Nick, what changes in the film made no sense at all? H |
nnascati | 13 Jul 2019 4:01 p.m. PST |
Things that seemed to be done for no reason. Wayne's name in the film is Ethan, in the book it is Amos. In the film he is returning from a couple years wandering after the ACW ends and his relationship with his brother is obviously strained. Th ebook makes no mention of the Civil War. The family issues are covered by a simple statement that Amos was always in love with Martha. A completely different character in the book takes on the role that Mose Harper has in the film. There were some other changes to the story, but those were the ones that to me made no sense. |
HMS Exeter | 13 Jul 2019 4:15 p.m. PST |
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Kevin C | 13 Jul 2019 10:20 p.m. PST |
I thought The Searchers was based off of the real story of Cynthia Ann Parker's kidnapping by the Comanche. If this is true, then the true story is far more compelling than either the fictional adaptation found in the novel or movie. |
Ferd45231 | 14 Jul 2019 6:42 a.m. PST |
Wow! There is a lot to unpack here. First let me publicly admit that I am a huge fan of John Ford's movies. I am paraphrasing here but he once said, I think to writer Frank Nugent, when the fact clash with the legend print the legend (John Wayne's character in the closing moments of Fort Apache echoes this thought). So yes he did base his story on Parkers' kidnapping but as an artist that was just an inspirational jumping off point. Can't argue with Amos/Ethan but the background story of the Civil War set up our understanding of Ethan's character. He is a loner and not a man to forgive and forget. As far as the strained relationship Ethan's brother married the woman Ethan loved (and she,him). As far a Mose Harper goes Ford often used humorous characters and incidents to break tension in a film. A great example of that is in She Wore A Yellow Ribblon when the cavalry troop presents a gold watch to Capt. Nathan Brittles ( John Wayne) and Brittles furtively takes out his reading glasses so he can read the inscription on the watch. I can understand anyone who wants to criticize any part of any movie. I am just trying to make the point that directors usually have a reason for what they do. Ford put butts in seats doing it his way. Just my two cents. I am retiring from the field. H |
nnascati | 14 Jul 2019 7:51 a.m. PST |
I am a huge fan of Ford's films as well, and The Searchers is one of my all time favorite films. Had I not read the book, I never would have noticed the odd changes. In either case, it will not impact my further enjoyment of a great film. |
jdginaz | 14 Jul 2019 11:29 a.m. PST |
As I understand it The Searchers" story was inspired by the story of Parker not so much based n it. There is a sense that there had been something between Ethen and Martha in the movie. The character of Mose was based a real person from Texas history
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marshalney2000 | 15 Jul 2019 3:18 a.m. PST |
There is a great book in my collection about the making of the Searchers. The first part covers the Parker true story, the second about the writing of the book and the largest part about the making of the movie. Great story about a Robert Wagner who wanted the part which eventually went to Jeffrey Hunter. Wagner made his pitch and Ford rejected him. As Wagner headed dejectedly towards the door, Ford called after him. "You really want this part don't you, Bob." "Yes, Mr Ford, I really do." Ford paused for a moment and grinned. "still not getting it though." The thing I remember from the true Parker story was that there was an uncle I think who searched for the captives. As he gave up after about two weeks, he hardly matched Ethan's determination. |
DJCoaltrain | 16 Jul 2019 8:59 p.m. PST |
Ferd45231 – Using a rustic bucolic to drain down the rising tension derives from Classic Aristotelian theater. Ford would have known this, he used it to good effect. |
Ferd45231 | 17 Jul 2019 5:45 a.m. PST |
DJCoaltrain. Sincerely thank you for putting that technique in historical perspective. Never to old to learn. H |
Nick Pasha | 20 Jul 2019 4:00 p.m. PST |
Hank Worden, who played Mose Harper was a member of Ford' and then Wayne's stock companies. Ford and Wayne would always find roles, or create roles, for these people, sometimes using artistic license. |