Notwithstanding his abrasive personality in some movies, he's always a goody-two-shoes character, always on the right side, always doing good in the end. Did he ever star in a rated-R movie?
It's one reason I often prefer Eastwood
See The Searchers
Not soft.
The Searchers was Rated PG. At the end, he randomly and instantly ceases his prejudicial views towards Indians just because he likes his niece so much, like a fairy tale character
shareThe Searchers was not rated PG, or anything else. Movie ratings didn't exist yet in 1956.
shareWell, it’s currently listed as PG, so it was later given that rating in 1956 (or some time after)
shareExactly. So it does indeed have an official PG rating from the MPAA (now known as the MPA, from what I understand). There are many movies that were released before current ratings system, that now have ratings.
shareNo, you misinterpreted the ending of that film I'm afraid.
After being kidnapped, raped and 'owned' (in today's parlence) by a Apache chief, Ethan was unsure where her nieces allegiance lie.
I am sure Ethan as heard stories of white women turning 'injun' after years of captivity. This is why he wanted to kill her.
Ethan WAS going to kill her, he chased her to that cave and was going to put a bullet in her skull.
But when he looked into her eyes, it was clear to him that she had not turned allegiance. She was not 'injun'.
Her embracing him instead of fighting him off made this clear to the viewer.
We are so far removed from the incredible passions that the American Indian wars of 1600-1900 produced, interpretations can become more difficult with time.
The true to life book that this movie was based is much, much darker.
The niece was never recovered, she had multiple children for/by the Apache chief. The Ethan character searched for over 20 years for her and ended up ruined man.
That's not how the book I read ended. It was a long time ago but as I remember he chased a young squaw thinking it was Debbie and intending to save her. But it wasn't Debbie (I assumed) and she turned around and shot him.
I wonder if there are different versions out there? Or possibly I'm miss-remembering.
I didn't read the book. Just knew that the ending he never found her, she turned injun and had multiple kids from the Apache chief.
But the movies ending was clear. Ethan had to know if his niece "turned injun". Something you can't know until you look into that person's eyes.
The books ending was way to downbeat for a Hollywood movie.
Agreed, too downbeat an ending for a Hollywood movie of the time, especially with John Wayne. I wonder if they'd use it these days?
shareWhat in tarnation! Well I don't rightly know where you get off callin' me soft. I've got a mind to wallop ya good, ya no-good, lilly-livered sissy!
shareMost of his movies are tailored for his heroic ego persona which was why played to this caricature for most of his career. For more complex western heroes lookup Gregory Peck, Gary Cooper, or Sterling Hayden.
shareLittle goody two-shoes?
Good? Bad? He’s the guy with the gun. KABLAMMO!