The Searchers (1956)
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- Passed
- 1h 59min
- Adventure, Drama
- 26 May 1956 (USA)
- Movie
An American Civil War veteran embarks on a years-long journey to rescue his niece from the Comanches after the rest of his brother's family is massacred in a raid on their Texas farm.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 4 wins & 3 nominations.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| John Wayne | ... |
Ethan Edwards
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| Jeffrey Hunter | ... |
Martin Pawley
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| Vera Miles | ... |
Laurie Jorgensen
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| Ward Bond | ... |
Rev. Capt. Samuel Johnston Clayton
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| Natalie Wood | ... |
Debbie Edwards - Age 15
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| John Qualen | ... |
Lars Jorgensen
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| Olive Carey | ... |
Mrs. Jorgensen
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| Henry Brandon | ... |
Scar / Cicatriz
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| Ken Curtis | ... |
Charlie McCorry
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| Harry Carey Jr. | ... |
Brad Jorgensen
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| Antonio Moreno | ... |
Emilio Gabriel Fernandez y Figueroa
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| Hank Worden | ... |
Mose Harper
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Beulah Archuletta | ... |
Look
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| Walter Coy | ... |
Aaron Edwards
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| Dorothy Jordan | ... |
Martha Edwards
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| Pippa Scott | ... |
Lucy Edwards
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| Patrick Wayne | ... |
Lt. Greenhill
(as Pat Wayne)
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| Lana Wood | ... |
Younger Debbie Edwards
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Gertrude Astor | ... |
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
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Pipe Line Begishe | ... |
Comanche Indian (uncredited)
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Exactly Sonnie Betsuie | ... |
Comanche Indian (uncredited)
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Danny Borzage | ... |
Accordionist at Funeral (uncredited)
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| Ruth Clifford | ... |
Deranged Woman at Fort (uncredited)
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| Carmen D'Antonio | ... |
Carmen (uncredited)
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Tommy Doss | ... |
Wedding Musician (uncredited)
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Pete Grey Eyes | ... |
Comanche Indian (uncredited)
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Feather Hat Jr. | ... |
Comanche Indian (uncredited)
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| Nacho Galindo | ... |
Mexican Bartender (uncredited)
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| Chuck Hayward | ... |
Man at Wedding (uncredited)
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Jack Tin Horn | ... |
Comanche Indian (uncredited)
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Harry Black Horse | ... |
Comanche Indian (uncredited)
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Away Luna | ... |
Comanche Indian (uncredited)
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Robert Lyden | ... |
Ben Edwards (uncredited)
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| Cliff Lyons | ... |
Col. Greenhill (uncredited)
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| Peter Mamakos | ... |
Jerem Futterman (uncredited)
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| Mae Marsh | ... |
Dark Cloaked Woman at Fort Guarding Deranged Woman (uncredited)
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| Frank McGrath | ... |
Texas Ranger (uncredited)
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Bob Many Mules | ... |
Comanche Indian (uncredited)
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| Jack Pennick | ... |
Sergeant at Fort (uncredited)
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| Lloyd Perryman | ... |
Wedding Musician (uncredited)
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Prince | ... |
Dog (uncredited)
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| Chuck Roberson | ... |
Texas Ranger at Wedding (uncredited)
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Smile White Sheep | ... |
Comanche Indian (uncredited)
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Many Mules Son | ... |
Comanche Indian (uncredited)
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Percy Shooting Star | ... |
Comanche Indian (uncredited)
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| William Steele | ... |
Nesby (uncredited)
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| Chief Thundercloud | ... |
Comanche Chief (uncredited)
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| Terry Wilson | ... |
Texas Ranger (uncredited)
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Billy Yellow | ... |
Comanche Indian (uncredited)
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Directed by
| John Ford | ||
Written by
| Frank S. Nugent | ... | (screenplay) |
| Alan Le May | ... | (from the novel by) (as Alan LeMay) |
Produced by
| Merian C. Cooper | ... | executive producer |
| Patrick Ford | ... | associate producer |
Music by
| Max Steiner | ||
Cinematography by
| Winton C. Hoch | ... | (photographed by) |
Editing by
| Jack Murray | ... | film editor |
Art Direction by
| James Basevi | ||
| Frank Hotaling | ||
Set Decoration by
| Victor A. Gangelin | ... | (as Victor Gangelin) |
Costume Design by
| Charles Arrico | ... | (uncredited) |
Makeup Department
| Web Overlander | ... | makeup |
| Fae M. Smith | ... | hair dresser (as Fae Smith) |
| Jack Obringer | ... | makeup artist (uncredited) |
| Vera Tomei | ... | assistant hair stylist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Lowell J. Farrell | ... | production supervisor |
| R.L. Johnston | ... | assistant production manager (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Wingate Smith | ... | assistant director |
| Gary Nelson | ... | second assistant director (uncredited) |
| Edward O'Fearna | ... | second assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Dudley Holmes | ... | properties |
| Richard Brandow | ... | props (uncredited) |
| Art Cole | ... | assistant property master (uncredited) |
| William Crider | ... | greensman (uncredited) |
| William Frederickson | ... | swing gang (uncredited) |
| Bill Gold | ... | poster designer (uncredited) |
| Larry Hogan | ... | swing gang (uncredited) |
| Richard Huhn | ... | greensman (uncredited) |
| Don Hume | ... | drapery man (uncredited) |
| Jerry Hume | ... | drapery man (uncredited) |
| Frank M. Miller | ... | lead man (uncredited) |
| Grady Willard | ... | construction supervisor (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Hugh McDowell Jr. | ... | sound (as Hugh McDowell) |
| Howard Wilson | ... | sound |
| Danny Daniels | ... | boom operator (uncredited) |
| Bill Ford | ... | cable man (uncredited) |
| William Griffith | ... | radio man (uncredited) |
| Joseph Keener | ... | sound recordist (uncredited) |
| Willard W. Starr | ... | radio man (uncredited) |
| Roy Steele | ... | boom operator (uncredited) |
| William Stokes | ... | radio man (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| George Brown | ... | special effects |
| George F. Goss | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
| A. McLish | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Bill Cartledge | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Philip Crawford | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Dick Dial | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Chuck Hayward | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Bryan 'Slim' Hightower | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| John Hudkins | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Fred Kennedy | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Cliff Lyons | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Frank McGrath | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Chuck Roberson | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Dale Van Sickel | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Henry Wills | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Terry Wilson | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Billy Yellow | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Jack N. Young | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Alfred Gilks | ... | second unit photography |
| Alfred Baalas | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
| Vaughn Burns | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Gilly Campbell | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Joseph Edesa | ... | gaffer (uncredited) |
| Ted Fell | ... | camera mechanic (uncredited) |
| Travis Gage | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Carl Gibson | ... | head grip (uncredited) |
| Al Green | ... | camera operator (uncredited) |
| Ralph Guthrie | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| John R. Hamilton | ... | special still photographer (uncredited) |
| James Hunter | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
| John E. Jacobson | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
| Bob Joannes | ... | camera operator (uncredited) |
| Alexander Kahle | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
| Tom King | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Bela Kovacs | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
| George Le Picard | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
| Norman Lindley | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
| Neil MacDonald | ... | best boy (uncredited) |
| Del L. Mort | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Gene Polito | ... | technician (uncredited) |
| Robert Rhea | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
| Gaylin P. Schultz | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Ray Sealock | ... | generator man (uncredited) |
| Eugene Testera | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
| John Vusich | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Paul Whitcomb | ... | assistant grip (uncredited) |
| Bob Wycoff | ... | technician (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Frank Beetson Jr. | ... | wardrobe: men (as Frank Beetson) |
| Ann Peck | ... | wardrobe: women |
| Charles Arrico | ... | assistant wardrobe (uncredited) |
| Frank Cardinale | ... | assistant wardrobe (uncredited) |
| James Kelly | ... | tailor (uncredited) |
| Rose Viebeck | ... | wardrobe: females (uncredited) |
Location Management
| C.M. Florance | ... | location auditor (uncredited) |
| R.L. Hough | ... | location manager (uncredited) |
| John J. Sewell | ... | location auditor (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Murray Cutter | ... | orchestrator |
Script and Continuity Department
| Robert Gary | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Ike Danning | ... | driver captain (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| James Gooch | ... | color consultant: Technicolor |
| Ben B. Henry | ... | first aid (uncredited) |
| W.F. House | ... | doctor (uncredited) |
| Albert Kraus | ... | timekeeper (uncredited) |
| Cliff Lyons | ... | technical man (uncredited) |
| Dr. Moresca | ... | doctor (uncredited) |
| Dr. Smilkstein | ... | doctor (uncredited) |
| Meta Stern | ... | dialogue supervisor (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Warner Bros. (1956) (United States) (theatrical)
- AFEX (1956) (Austria) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1956) (Belgium) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1956) (France) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1956) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1956) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1956) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1956) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1956) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1956) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Paramount Pictures (1957) (Denmark) (theatrical)
- Mercurio Films S.A. (1961) (Spain) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1969) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1979) (Finland) (tv)
- RCA (II) (1982) (United States) (video) (CED VideoDisc)
- Italia 1 (1984) (Italy) (tv)
- Audio Visual Enterprises (1987) (Greece) (VHS)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1987) (Finland) (tv)
- TV3 (1990) (Finland) (tv)
- Warner Home Video (1990) (United States) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1991) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- M6 (1994) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- Warner Home Video (1995) (United States) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1996) (Germany) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1997) (United States) (DVD)
- Image Entertainment (1998) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- Warner Home Video (1998) (United States) (VHS) (widescreen)
- Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2000) (Finland) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2000) (Germany) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2006) (Finland) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2006) (Germany) (DVD) (special edition)
- Warner Home Video (2006) (United States) (DVD)
- Warner Home Vidéo (2006) (France) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2007) (United States) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2009) (Canada) (DVD) (4 film set)
- Warner Home Video (2009) (United States) (DVD) (4 film set)
- Midas Filmes (2014) (Portugal)
- HBO Max (2020) (United States) (video) (VOD)
- Fazer Musiikki Oy/Fazer Video (Finland) (VHS)
- Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (DVD)
- Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (this picture made under the jurisdiction of)
- Polyphony Digital (thanks)
- RCA (sound recording)
- VistaVision (motion picture high fidelity)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
After a long three-year absence, the battle-scarred Confederate veteran of the American Civil War, Ethan Edwards turns up on the remote and dusty Texan homestead of his brother, Aaron. In high hopes of finding peace, instead, the taciturn former soldier will embark on a treacherous five-year odyssey of retribution, when the ruthless Chief Scar's murderous Comanche raiding party massacres his family, burns the ranch to the ground, and abducts his nine-year-old niece, Debbie. Driven by hatred of Indians, Ethan and his young companion, Martin Pawley, ride through the unforgiving desert to track down their lost Debbie; however, is the woman they lost and the prisoner in Scar's teepee still the same woman the searchers seek? Written by Nick Riganas |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | The story that sweeps from the great Southwest to the Canadian border in VistaVision. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $3,750,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Considering the part of Ethan Edwards to be the best character that he ever portrayed on-screen and The Searchers (1956) to be his favorite film role, John Wayne named his youngest son Ethan Wayne in homage. See more » |
| Goofs | The "dead" Indian under the rock, when the rock is removed, is clearly breathing. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into Fatale beauté (1994). See more » |
| Soundtracks | The Searchers (Main Theme) See more » |
| Crazy Credits | The credits state this Warner Brothers film is in VistaVision; this may be the only Warner film in VistaVision. See more » |
| Quotes |
Martin:
I hope you die! Ethan: That'll be the day. See more » |