Problematic Portrayals

Dear John Ford,

Since its release in 1956, your film The Searchers has come to be considered a masterpiece and one of the greatest and most influential Westerns (indeed, films) of all time. In addition to this significant reputation, it was a tremendous commercial success in its time.

Although I recognize The Searchers’ cultural significance and place in film history, I have significant reservations about the way that it portrays race and gender. Throughout the film, there is a strong anti-miscegenation message (mixing of different racial groups through marriage, cohabitation, etc.). Ethan repeatedly says that he will kill Debbie rather than have her live “with a buck,” and that “living with the Comanche ain’t living.” At one point, he actually attempts to kill her (though she is shielded by Martin). Even Laurie, one of the films most gentle characters, says that Martha would want Ethan to “put a bullet” in Debbie’s brain, rather than return her alive. Ethan and others believe that Debbie is not even deserving of life now that she has lost her white identity. Other instances of racism include Ethan firing his rifle at the Comanche as they retreat, Ethan killing buffalo in order to deny the Native Americans food, and Ethan shooting the eyes out of a dead Native American in order to interfere with his afterlife. The portrayal of the two captured white girls as insane, screaming gibberish and laughing manically at jangling keys, is also questionable. “It’s hard to believe they’re white,” the officer says. Is this really what happens to captured whites that live among natives? What does insanity have to do with being Native Americans?

As for gender, women are portrayed throughout the film as having little purpose other than marriage/sexual gratification and domestic duties. Laurie, for example, only appears when she is preparing food, hemming and sewing, or pining after Martin. Another gross example of sexism occurs when Luck, the Native American woman that Marin inadvertently “married” during a bartering session, tries to lie down next to Martin. This prompts Martin to kick Luck very hard with two feet, sending her rolling down a hill. What makes this scene even more upsetting is the fact that it’s intended to be humorous, with comical, cartoonish music playing in the background.

Mr. Ford, what were your intentions in displaying race and gender in such controversial and problematic way? Were you simply trying to be true to sentiments that were present in the post-Civil War era? Or were you influenced by racism and sexism present within yourself and the wider society of 1950s America?

In any event, I hope that you learned from your mistakes and portrayed women and people of color with more respect and sensitivity in your later films.

Sincerely,

Annabel Chosy

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