Many of Kilpatrick’s “key features” of American Indian film were presented in The Searchers. Camera angles and music were used throughout the movie to emphasize characters and upcoming events. The time frame of the movie and the movie’s setting reflected Kilpatrick’s key features as well. In addition, many stereotypes of American Indians were portrayed in the film.
John Wayne, or Ethan in the movie, is considered the hero. Many times throughout the movie the camera looks up at Ethan, making him seem big, strong or powerful, such as a hero might be. Upbeat music and the sound of horns indicate invasion in the movie. Also, there is a sort of music that depicts despair when characters die in the movie. Though The Searchers was made in 1956, it was set in 1868, time of the frontier. This concept is very popular among Westerns and American Indian films. Another common feature of The Searchers to Western film was its setting. It took place in the open desert. There was large range of sight throughout the desert as well as canyons and rock walls. The key feature in The Searchers with the most emphasis was definitely stereotypes of American Indians. American Indians throughout the movie had face paint, wore feathers and feathered head dresses, they were great on horseback, lived in teepees, and practiced scalping, portraying them as savages.
Ethan also scalped someone, though: is that heroic?
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with many of the points that you make throughout your post. I agree that they would use the lower camera angles with Ethan to make him look powerful, big, and the hero throughout the movie. They also played music to signal these things when he would be in the scene. Also, I agree with the stereotypes of the Indians, and how they would make them look throughout the movie. Rather than them speaking clear English when communicating with the men, they would grunt out their own language, and never seemed to be happy. I liked how you pointed out that the Indians were wearing feathers and face paint, and were shown as scavengers.
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