100th Anniversary Series: The Searchers

Of the many collaborations between actor John Wayne and director John Ford, perhaps no film defines their collective talent quite like The Searchers. The 1956 Western follows Civil War veteran Ethan Edwards (Wayne) on a mission for vengeance after an indigenous tribe kills his family and kidnaps his niece (Natalie Wood). Ford immortalized his anti-hero Edwards’ violent struggle against the breathtaking backdrop of Monument Valley, making The Searchers a turning point in the depiction of the frontier on film. Writer/Producer/Director and Crandell Board Member James Schamus will introduce the iconic Western that influenced generations of filmmakers to come.