“…But what that Comanche believes, ain't got no eyes, he can't enter the spirit-land. Has to wander forever between the winds.”  This quote, stated by the main character, Ethan, in “The Searchers” right after he shot an (already dead) Comanche Indian in the eyes, shows how these native people were portrayed during Western films and how the white race treated them.  Through the use of savage images, precise cinematic tactics, and the portrayal of the “invincible” lone ranger, this movie brings about a controversy on how Native Americans really were in the 1800’s and also how gender roles were during this time period.

                First of all, “The Searchers”, overall, depicted the Native Americans (the Comanche in particular) to be savage murderers. Already from the beginning this is seen- the Native Americans stole ranchers’ cattle and killed them with a lance.  They are also dressed in typical “war” clothes with large headdresses and war paint.  Next, the white men impersonate the “noises” of the Indians, making fun of them in any way possible.  Even the Comanche leader, Scar, is portrayed as evil by having the grotesque battle wound lacerated across his face.  Another thing that shows us that the Native Americans are seen in a harsh light is when Ethan treats Martin like trash basically the whole movie because he’s a “half-breed.”  Even being 1/8 Cherokee is a disgrace to Ethan; he won’t even consider Martin family despite the fact that Martin has been there for Debbie and her family for longer than Ethan has.   

                Going along with the idea that white men (and Ethan in specific) reigned over the Native Americans, the cinematography of the movie really strengthened the ideals of the savage.  When showing Ethan, the camera angle is usually tilted up towards him, symbolizing his ruling strength and domineering attitude.  He is large-and-in-charge and he knows it!  Another thing that strengthens this idea is when the music plays.  When we are shown Ethan, the music gets quiet so that we focus on only him.  However, most of the time when the Native Americans are being shown, the music is loud and angry and makes us associate this anger with them as a whole.  These tactics make it so that we think Ethan is the good guy, and the natives are just savages.  But are they really?

                Besides the Native Americans being shown as savages, women are also portrayed in a very specific way.  Women in this Western are shown as helpless and innocent.  At the beginning of the movie when the Native Americans are about to come and set the house on fire, the mother just acts all helpless and gives up.  Also, the main conflict of the movie is that Debbie has been stolen and Ethan and Martin spend the whole movie trying to get her back.  However, is it really true that the women are so helpless?   From the beginning, Debbie didn’t even seem afraid when the Native American came and took her.  Also, when Ethan finally found her, she didn’t want to come back with them.  She was immersed in the Comanche culture and she belonged to their people.  She wasn’t savage at all either-she still spoke perfect English and knew what was going on.  I think this shows that anything is possible if you are strong-willed and defiant.

                As is apparent, although Native Americans are portrayed as “savage” and women are seen as “weak and helpless”, this isn’t always the case.  Although in some circumstances this may ring true, most of it may simply just be that Western film producers simply want to give the audience what they want:  romance, a strong, stubborn lone ranger, and blood and gore and ravaging beasts (the Native Americans).  Whatever may be the case, rest assured that these producers are going to use whatever they can to give us what we want, whether it be through carefully though-out cinematic qualities, savage imagery, or simply by having a guy as good looking as John Wayne be the star of the show!