This is a very good movie, and the racism of the lead character spills out all over the movie. I think this was the point. Uncle Ethan Evans (John Wayne) has returned home three years after the Civil War ended. He is caught up in rescuing his nieces who are taken by Comanche. Their brother, Martin Pawley (Jeffrey Hunter) goes with him but he is not a blood brother, but adopted and has Cherokee blood, which Uncle Ethan doesn't let him forget it. Pawley has a girlfriend, Laurie (Vera Miles). Early on they find the older sister murdered. However the search for Deborah (Natalie Wood and Lana Wood), the younger sister goes on for many years. Pawley is worried Uncle Evan will kill her as she has been amongst the Indians too long and will be an Indian. The learn Cicatriz, or Scar (Henry Brandon) has her, but make little progress in finding him. The first time they come upon Debbie Uncle Ethan does want to kill her, and Pawley intervenes. However the second time there is a major operation and Cicatriz is killed. However when Uncle Evan gets to the niece, now about 15 he says lets go home, and it is both he and the niece going home as Uncle Ethan lets go of some of his hate.
The party would come home from time to time. On one of these occasions they enter the wedding of Laurie and Charlie McCorrey (Ken Curtis, later Festus). Laurie had grown tired of waiting and McCorrey had worn her down. McCorrey and Pawley fight, and there is no wedding. It is after this fight we hear that Cicatriz is in the area. Another interesting character is Moss Harper (Hank Worden). People thinks he is crazy, but it is he who was able to discover the whereabouts of Cicatriz. Sisters Natalie Wood and Lana Wood portray Debbie, Lana the young Debbie and Natalie the older Debbie.
I enjoyed this movie. You have to remember Uncle Ethan's racism is his character form seeing death in the Civil War and fighting against the Native Americans.
No comments:
Post a Comment