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The Searchers is a movie starring John Wayne as Ethan Edwards, a Civil War veteran that fought for the Confederacy living on his brother's land in Texas in 1868. Edwards is wandering, and people do not know what he has been since the end of the Civil War. While Edwards is out, the Comanche launch a raid that devastates him. His brother, sister- in-law are killed while his neices are gone and the farm house is burned to the ground. This is a major turning point in the whole story of the movie. This makes this movie turn from triumphant homecoming to a showdown. Edwards tracks the Comanche with help from his adopted nephew, Martin Pawley played by actor Jeffery Hunter. They continue to search until they find the the oldest niece dead, but not the youngest one. The youngest one is married to Scar, played by Henry Brandon, the leader of the Comanche. He has the same hatred for white people, as Edwards has for Indians. Edwards hatred switches from Scar to the youngest daughter. They are eventually found by the Texas Rangers.

This movie shows that racism is rampant for both cultures. This shows a common theme in American History. Indians and whites have a deep seeded distrust of each other. This is show in other movies like Thunderheart. I think that this is changing, but time will tell.