John Wayne’s 1956 Western epic receives a miserable realism rating from historians

The Seekers receives a miserable rating for realism from a historian who calls it “Just ridiculous.” Directed by the legendary John Ford, the 1956 Western epic is set during the Texas Indian Wars and is about a Civil War veteran who, accompanied by his adopted nephew, spends years searching for his niece, who was kidnapped by Comanches. John Wayne leads the cast alongside Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond and Natalie Wood.

In a video by insiderthe cowboy and Wild West historian Michael Grauer evaluated Wild West scenes in films and television for realism, including the depiction of cowboys and Comanche in The Seekers. Watch the following part of the video from minute 10:36:

In the video, Grauer criticizes the fighting tactics of the Native Americans and the depiction of “Cowboys vs. Indians,” what he calls “a common misconception that almost never occurs.” However, he described Wayne’s character’s costume as “pretty much exactly.” In total, He rated the scene a miserable 2/10 for realismRead his full comment below:

Great movie, John Ford, but this scene is just ridiculous. Monument Valley in Utah becomes the backdrop for Commanche territory, which is way too far west for Comancheria, where the Commanche warriors, in full gear and paint, attempt a frontal assault across a river on a fortified position. This is just utter nonsense. Native American warfare was always based on an advantage, either in numbers or in the element of surprise.

As for cowboys versus Indians, which is a common misconception, that almost never happened. When a herd encounters a group of Indians, they usually demand a toll or a tax. Most ranchers were willing to do this, so fights between real cowboys and Indians almost never occurred.

The character that John Wayne plays wears a pretty accurate cowboy costume. Hats came in all sorts of folds tailored to the person, especially a cowboy. So what I’m wearing is the clothing of a typical 1880s cattleman or cowboy. He’s wearing denim pants, which means he’s post-1873. My pants that I’m wearing are Levis that have been altered to look like 1873 models that only had one back pocket. They all had suspender buttons because there were no belt loops, and his boots are pretty spot on. In the 1860s there was no such thing as a recognized cowboy boot.

The movie “The Searchers” is based on true events where a young white girl named Cynthia Ann Parker was kidnapped by the Commanche in the 1830s. When she was rescued during a battle with the Commanche, she was already a real Commanche at that point and that’s an important part that they don’t tell here in the story of “The Searchers.” Although it uses Native American actors, they mostly don’t have lines and the leader of the Commanche is, I believe, German. The women in this film are mostly Navajo and they all wear Navajo women’s costumes. You know there’s a great blending of indigenous cultures.

This particular scene in The Searchers is one I would give a two or three at most. It contradicts any kind of documented struggle between Native Americans and whites. They just didn’t do that.

How accurate are the search functions?

The portrayal of the Comanche is full of inaccuracies

Although the historian gives the work a miserable rating in terms of realism, he admits that The Seekers is a “excellent film.” Critics and audiences agree, The Seekers is widely regarded as one of the best and most influential films of all time, and not just within the Western genre. However, its historical accuracy is disputed and has been the subject of critical reinterpretations over the years. The portrayal of Native Americans, especially the Comanche, is full of historical inaccuracies and stereotypesmany of which Grauer describes.

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The Seekers portrays the Comanche primarily as violent savagesthat oversimplifies and distorts the complex and diverse cultures of Native American tribes. As his quest progresses, Wayne’s character clearly loses interest in rescuing his niece and becomes more intent on exacting revenge on the Comanches, a harsh stance that frightens many viewers, especially later generations. Additionally, the character of the Comanche chief Scar is played by a white actor, Henry Brandon, wearing heavy makeup, reflecting the era’s tendency toward “redface” casting and reinforcing harmful racist caricatures.

Grauer also explains how The Seekers is inspired by the true story of Cynthia Ann Parker, a white woman who was kidnapped by Comanches as a child and lived with them for many years. But unlike Parker, who integrated into Comanche society and started a family with a Comanche chief, the film’s counterpart is portrayed as a woman who must be rescued from her kidnappers. While The Seekers is an acclaimed western that explores the theme of vengeance, but its historical accuracy is compromised by its racial stereotypes and lack of nuanced portrayal of Native American cultures and experiences.

Source: insider

The Seekers

3.0

The Searchers is a 1956 western drama film starring John Wayne. Wayne plays Ethan Edwards, who goes in search of his missing niece after his brother’s family is killed by the Comanche tribe. The Searchers, directed by John Ford, is now considered one of the best American westerns of all time.

director

John Ford

Release date

March 13, 1956

Studio(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Sales Partner

Warner Bros. Pictures

Authors

John Ford

Pour

John Wayne

Duration

119 minutes

budget

3.75 million US dollars

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