John Ford’s THE SEARCHERS is considered not only the greatest Western, but also one of the greatest American movies ever made. But how many people have actually read Alan LeMay’s THE SEARCHERS, on which that 1956 film was based? Leisure Books has reissued four classic Western books that have all been made into classic movies, in “The Classic Film Collection.”
Of course, the film took a few liberties with the 1954 story — some minor, like the name change of the main character, and some huge, which would lead into major spoilers. The plot is that of a family destroyed by an Indian raid with the lone survivor taken as a prisoner by the Comanches, with her only blood kin — Civil War veteran Amos Edwards — knowing the only left to do in his life is to track down his niece.
Amos is a complex character who will always resemble John Wayne in my mind, since the actor truly captured the essence of this man who knows fully well he is not welcome anywhere — even in his own homestead — anymore, thinking the recovery of his niece will be the final good thing he can do, no matter how long it takes.
Early on in the book, one of the points that people have discussed about the movie is made crystal-clear by LeMay: Amos was in love with his brother’s wife. Why this was cut from the film is just a shame, since it adds another layer to this complex man who, from the outset, just seems like a man bent on revenge and filled with racism. Amos makes no bones about killing any Indian his way (brutal scalping), but he is not alone in his search, being joined by Martin Pauley, who has his own ideas of why he wants to find this girl.
Martin slowly grows through their years-long hunt, even to the point of losing out on a future with another woman since he is so engrossed. These two men never falter in their search; we witness years pass by, with LeMay putting them through grueling encounters, sometimes only to be a few steps behind the Indians they believe have the girl.
For someone who only knew the movie, there were plenty of moments in the book which are just eye-openers that could never have been filmed in their time: suicides, brutal scalping, the results of an Indian attack and a vastly different ending. It’s no shock to see what drew people to turn this into a movie, since it’s such an expansive tale of redemption and guilt. Hopefully, people will grab this reissue and get the complete story that should be read — not only by fans of Westerns, but of great fiction. —Bruce Grossman
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
That Ethan/Amos loved his brother’s wife is in the movie, and is illustrated in one of the great scenes of all-time – you see reverend Clayton drinking his coffee while Martha grabs Ethan’s coat and gives it too him. Unlike the book where it is said explicitly, the movie handles it in a sublte, but most wonderful way.
That Ethan/Amos loved his brother’s wife is in the movie, and is illustrated in one of the great scenes of all-time – you see reverend Clayton drinking his coffee while Martha grabs Ethan’s coat and gives it too him. Unlike the book where it is said explicitly, the movie handles it in a sublte, but most wonderful way.