#96: The Searchers and a Shot of Tequila

Mar 14

Mar 14 #96: The Searchers and a Shot of Tequila

In summer of 2015, we cut the cord on cable, kicking off six months of series binge-watching across a multitude of platforms, from Amazon to Netflix to HBO. As we rounded into 2016, the age old question of “What do you want to watch tonight?” had started to test the both of us on a daily basis. So we made the New Year’s resolution to watch the American Film Institute’s 100 Greatest American Films of All Time in order from 100 to 1. We’ll be reviewing each one as we go, drinking a smidge along the way, and eating with the theme when the mood strikes. I hope you’ll join us!

The Searchers

Released: 1956

Starring: John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, with a cameo by Natalie Wood

Running Time: 119 minutes

Tagline: The Biggest, Roughest, Toughest…and Most Beautiful Picture Ever Made!

Summary: A Confederate war veteran searches the Wild West for his niece, who has been kidnapped by Native Americans.

What We’re Drinking: A Tequila Shot

Overall, this movie was beautifully shot, with sweeping iconic shots of the Southwest that really capture how small the families trying to settle this land really were. The story follows John Wayne, just back from the Civil War, coming home to his brother’s family, an isolated outpost in the Southwest. Rumors of violence take some of the men away from the homestead to investigate, and while they are gone, Indians strike, killing all but one of John Wayne’s relatives, and kidnapping his niece. John Wayne sets out with his sidekick to track the Indians, and rescue his niece, over the next six years. Yes…6!!

This wasn’t my favorite, but I’m not a Western girl, and that’s ok. When the niece is found, surprise! She’s Natalie Wood! Which is always fine by me, because I love Natalie Wood. You have to admire people who slog through the wilderness for that long looking for someone. Along the way, you would probably need more than one tequila shot to keep you going!

Overall Rating: 6 Out of 10

Drink Recipe: A Tequila Shot – because John Wayne shoots to kill!