If there was ever a movie I would skip on the T.V guide just by the name this movie would be it. But too my surprise I really enjoyed this movie. From the location that it took place in, to the minuscule little jokes John Ford sneaked in I was surprised to say the least.
John Wayne's character Ethan was very closed off and did not express much emotion about anything that was going on. But that could be because he was a hardened "bad-ass" who fought in the civil war. When he returns to find his family in northern Arizona he doesn't show much emotion and he pulls out a bag of a lot of money which hints at he had been up to no good because it was a lot of money at the time. In addition when he returns to to find nearly find all of his family members killed by the Indians he doesn't seem to let it phase him in any way. He just knew what he had to do and did it. Martin Pawley who is played by Jefferey Hunter is nearly the complete opposite of Ethan. He is very outspoken and says what is on his mind. It took me a while to figure out why Martin was hunting for the girls of the lost family but soon realized why. From my understanding he was like family to the deceased family so it was his own mission to bring back the youngest family member. When the movie begins the screen is black and the camera enters a door way to welcome Ethan home which is connected back to the end of the movie when Ethan and Martin arrive back with Debbie. I thought that was very interesting because I had not noticed that while watching the movie and I had never heard of or noticed another movie that has done that. In addition, when the family was about to be killed by the Indians that was the only one of the few night scenes that I can recall from the movie which I thought was a cool little foreshadowing of what was to come. Also, when Ethan and Martin were camping they were almost ambushed by a man they got information about Debbie from, it was also during the night time. John Ford seems to use nightfall as a technique to hint that something bad is to come. Overall, I thought this was a great movie to pick apart because there is so much to talk about. As well as it is a great movie to watch in general, the story line pulls you in and keeps you there until the very end. John Wayne's character also plays a big part in keeping the viewer interested with his "bad-ass" character. I think this was a great movie to watch in class and I would definitely watch it again.
2 Comments
Carissa Tinker
2/6/2017 08:58:21 am
I like the idea you used of the director using nightfall as a form of foreshadowing, I never thought to make that kind of connection. I also liked your interpretation of John Wayne's character being a "bad-ass" because I also thought something similar to that.
Reply
Adam Zaporowski
2/6/2017 09:10:57 am
I agree with your description of John Wayne, I began to hint similar feelings as well after he pulled out all that money. Definitely began to think he turned into an outlaw or something to acquire such currency. I like how you described the camera angles in the beginning of the film compared to the ending. As the last scene came to a close where Debbie is greeted into the home, the door closes where Ethan remains outside. Kind of hinted to me that Ethan was ready for another adventure.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI normally only watch comedies and action movies so this should be an interesting change. Archives
May 2017
Categories |