The Searchers (1956) 4K UHD Review | Warner Archive’s FIRST 4K Might Be The BEST!

[@sun131089]

One of the greatest Hollywood films ever made ❤ John Ford forever

[@calebmartinstacy5979]

Just watched tonight, and could not agree more. Absolutely breathtaking 4k

[@michaelcooley4553]

Vista Vision had tremendous resolution. That is why Vista Vision films really pop in blu ray and 4k

[@danielparker3842]

Yes. Another example would be the 4k upgrade of The Ten Commandments.

[@F1989C]

John Wayne should have won the Oscar for his amazing/Epic performance as Ethan Edwards💯💯 and fun Fact: Vera Miles is still alive at 95!!!! God bless Her💯🙏🏻

[@midlevelmedia]

I didn’t talk about John Wayne enough. He was really spectacular here.

[@teastrainer3604]

@@midlevelmedia Yes he was. BTW he named one of his sons after Ethan Edwards.

[@richj770]

I remember watching John Wayne winning Best Actor for "True Grit," and saying something like, "If I had known, I would have put the eye patch on years ago." While that was a great role and movie, Ethan Edwards was by far his best portrayal of a complex character. Ethan is not necessarily even likeable, but he is fascinating, thanks to John Wayne and John Ford. Best western of all time!

[@teastrainer3604]

@@richj770 The Oscar for a True Grit was a "make-up call" by the referees who realized they had made a bad call earlier. And his performance in Red River was just as good as in The Searchers.

[@jerryrpettus1926]

@@teastrainer3604 Well, there's that, but there is also the fact that, IMO, Wayne was never the kind of actor who disappeared into a character like many of his younger colleagues, but was an actor who made every character a "John Wayne Character." The Oscars are nothing if not sentimental, and Wayne's fight against cancer was well known. I always felt (and that feeling was apparently echoed by many in Hollywood) that the Oscar nom and win was as much about honoring his life and history as an actor before he passed, as it was about his performance of this particular role.

[@davidgifford8112]

Been watching this movie for decades, never gets old, so many wonderful senes and actors performances. Has to be one of the best westerns ever shot.

[@midlevelmedia]

Definitely a masterpiece imo

[@briansmith976]

Would love to see Warner archive do a 4k remaster of The Wild Bunch

[@robertfaulkner1824]

thats a big one. Bound to come at some point

[@midlevelmedia]

@@briansmith976 I think we will see it in 2025.

[@PerryCoxPF93]

Just saw it a few months ago in a really rough 70mm cut. Just begging for a proper restoration.

[@ericsamuelperry]

Bro, you scared the crap out of me with that opening 😂 im so glad it looks good, I LOVE ! This film . I can't wait to get my copy. Great Video 👍

[@stephenwilson04]

An absolute classic on 4K with the original artwork from Warner? What's not to love!

[@robertfaulkner1824]

Warner has crushed it this year, best studio by far. They are outdoing boutiques if you import thse awesome uk boxsets

[@jonathannoble9465]

@@robertfaulkner1824WB is great and all but I think Sony is better overall

[@slave_to_cinema]

Basically the 4k uhd of the year. It deserves that credit.

[@robertfaulkner1824]

better than north by northwest?

[@eteocles4452]

I have the 2006 Blu-Ray and have watched it at least half a dozen times over the years. I watched the 4K Blu-Ray a couple nights ago. The 4K is better in every way. The audio is a bit lackluster but that is a limitation of 50's movie production. Don't get me wrong here, the audio is clean, voices are clear. Any one who says this is not a clear upgrade over the 2006 Blu-Ray should be ignored as a reviewer.

[@anssisalonen3609]

Just wait 'til they do How the West Was won; looks absolutely stunning already on bluray, will be spectacular on UHD. The whole Cinerama treatment is something else.

[@DeliveryServiceFan06]

Warner Archives is now releasing their first film on 4K for the first time this year i want to see more films to come to 4K from Warner Archive and anyone else in the comments sections read this comment including you Ken please send me your list of what films that Warner Archive should put out on 4K just like The Searchers i want to see them put out more films like this also great video on the new 4K UHD release of The Searchers from Warner Archive i hope they release more of these films on 4K from their catalog of film Ken they should release more films like The Searchers on 4K what films they should do a 4K Release next Ken.

[@DavoInMelbourne]

Completely agree. I have a home cinema and that opening scene where they go from the inside of the cabin to the view of Monument Valley; just gob smackingly awesome.

[@ajmhobby]

This is a stunning 4K! The 1.85:1 aspect ratio should not completely fill every inch of your screen, if it does then your TV is cropping the image. Since widescreen TVs are 1.78:1, There should be slight black bars on the top and bottom which was the case on my Sony TV.

[@johnmbell4642]

Hey Ken, travel to Chicago a couple of months back and saw the searchers and North by Northwest in actual Vista vision, brand new prints struck from their 4K remasters . they both look fantastic. Couldn’t wait to get them on 4K already got North by Northwest. As you know, Hitchcock’s classic was excellent but still waiting for my 4K version of this. ordered from Diabolik but no shipment notification yet and Walmart finally has it for sale but they’re saying expected delivery is 17 of January I expect shipments are delayed due to initial inventory? Glad you got yours and I’m surprise you didn’t mention that John Wayne’s niece was played by a very young Natalie Wood. happy holidays to you, john

[@jerryrpettus1926]

Have this one ordered. Got it from Amazon for about $25. It's not arrived yet but it's one of my favorite movies. When it arrives I plan to watch it right away.

[@LeeTheVet]

Good review, Ken, thank you. Waiting on this one for sure.

[@jasonhaggerty3211]

The fist viewing you’ll walk away with “What did I just see?” The movie will open up, expand, deepen on repeated viewings. “Masterpiece” is a word overused and thrown around. This movie hands down is one. I’ve seen this movie many times, never in 4k.

[@burninator1983]

Pre-ordered December 5th, still waiting for Amazon to ship it. Very keen on watching it, hopefully with my Dad who says it's his favourite western ever.

[@hednik]

The Blu-ray was one of the early blu-rays and still looks great today. Wondering how the two compare

[@allsportnj]

There is no comparison to be made. This 4K is by leaps and bounds the only way to watch this movie going forward.

[@haineshisway]

No, the original Blu-ray was a travesty - but you have to know what the film originally looked like to understand that. It was way too yellow and therefore ALL the color was off. Get the new one and you'll see the difference instantly.

[@nigelstone3729]

I got Red Sun 4k Steelbook starting Charles Bronson, back in September this year, which was also a great 4k restoration too. And before that I got Django, and Unforgiven, Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman Gene Hackman, some more brilliant films too. This film is going to be another I'm going to get soon, when available in the UK.

[@robertfaulkner1824]

Unforgiven is one of the best transfers there is. Obviously an amazing film as well

[@snerfu]

Got it yesterday, paused your review a few minutes in to go watch it. Great movie.

[@jamesconfrey9117]

Wow ! Thank you for your review on this classic epic, iam looking forward for this 4k, i got the blu ray of the Searchers, but this one, is on a new level. Hope i get a slipcase on my item. Living in Denmark, i have to wait, The Searchers is coming next month. Warner is doing some great work, treating these discs with so much respect V/A vise. Now then ! Ben Hur 1959, wouldn't it be great if it came next year. ?

[@albuonanno5554]

My favorite Western Movie of all time! This 4k blows away the previous BD release. They cleaned up the negatve and color corrected the film this time around. In many of the scenes the actors almost look 3-dimensional. For $30 you get the upgraded film version in both 4k and BD! This was John Wayne's favorite film he made.

[@paulkingartwerks7981]

Best western ever. Classic and brilliant. Wayne's best role. He should have won the best actor Oscar. John Ford too for direction. Perfect.

[@lmaololroflcopter]

Wanna know how fucking good The Searchers is? I'm not even remotely a John Wayne fan, and it's my joint favourite western film with Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven.

[@DonFrankel]

Best Western ever made. Watch the beginning again. Ethan Edwards has been gone for 8 years. Little Debby is 8 years old That's not his niece, it's his daughter. That's why Ethan Edwards is so pissed off.

[@PatGaerttner]

My absolute favorite movie western of all time. My favorite John Wayne movie of all time and I’ve seen over 100 of them. From the acting, cinematography and directing it’s a stone cold classic and my #5 movie of all time.

[@codyinthecinema]

I have a giant poster of the film in the room where I film and work on videos. Reading some of the novel is worth your while as well! Movie fans, watch more John Ford. You won't regret it.

[@m.dorado6966]

Fantastic presentation, Ken. 👍👍👍

[@michaelschiessl8357]

Well I hate to say I told you it would be spectacular and guess what this 4k lived up to the hype..I was waiting for your take on this Ken...And this might be best of the year..Glad you love it as I do..👍👍

[@allsportnj]

This the THE movie I have been waiting for on 4K. One of my all time favorite movies and they did not disappoint. 🙂

[@2011Stylus]

The Searchers was John Wayne's favorite of all his films. It gets better and better with each repeated viewing!

[@kellyblack4897]

I highly recommend Red River, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. And, yes The Searchers is one of the best movies ever made IMHO

[@cobwebschannel]

This makes me so happy.

[@genelewisjr]

Bruh, that hyperbolic comment- get that punk out of your head. Eff that guy, if there is something you love about this 4k , go ahead and express it. It’s your energy that draws your subscribers

[@roachman1412]

This is one of the best 4k This year the scene where Jeffery Hunter filling up the canteen when The Duke is wounded ford panning down the rock formation shows it great detail 👍

[@TheBTG88]

Take a shot every time he says ‘like’ - you’ll be unconscious after 5 minutes. 😂

[@scottchurchill6915]

This title is on my all time top 10 list of films.

[@mauriciogutierrez2145]

Ford confounded both all his fans and critics with this one, and thats usually the mark of a masterpiece ahead of its time

[@craigw.scribner6490]

I'll bet Mose's rockin' chair looks great in 4k too--seriously, though, this is one of my--and my father's--favorite films. Thanks for your review and I'm a subscriber to your channel now.

[@letstalkcriterion]

Got mine on the way a brilliant film.

[@joebloggs8636]

I have the blueray and it looks great,my father took my cousin and i to see it when it came out..wow!

[@homersoddishe]

The Brutalist is the first movie shot entirely in VistaVision in ages. An interesting choice and should result in a fine 4k at some point. It’s kinda cool that John Wayne was in early 70mm, 3-D and VistaVision over the course of his career.

[@4kfilms_canada]

Would love to seen Warner Archive do more 4Ks, they do exceptionally work! The one western I would love to see get a 4K is The Bravados directed by Henry King but it’s under the Disney umbrella 😔

[@geraldmartin7703]

The Bravados is my favorite U.S. western. Surprised someone else likes it.

[@4kfilms_canada]

@ Don’t hear many people talk about it but it’s one of my favourite Westerns for sure. I still have to see a couple of the big ones though.

[@jinchoung]

vistavision is 35mm film run horizontally instead of vertically - exactly the way still film 35mm is in consumer SLRs. that's the innovation. it makes the wide side of traditional motion picture movies the short side on vistavision. actually, digital cameras these days with a "full frame" sensor that shoots video as well as still photos are generating vistavision frames!

[@garyharper2943]

This $30+ for 4K discs has made me stop collecting, at least until Black Fridays, I do have the Blu-ray.

[@johnhollo6881]

That should bring the studios to their knees!

[@garyharper2943]

It might, if enough quit buying.

[@johnhollo6881]

@@garyharper2943 One person not buying is not going to change anything. lol

[@994pt4]

Add another for no $30+ 4K 😃👍

[@slave_to_cinema]

I hear ya but it is 2 disc release. Thats under $20 per disc which is not pricey

[@GeorgeMengert]

Best 4k of 2024! Better than Liberty Valence - shot in B/W mostly on Sets not on location!

[@thebigcat499]

My father always said this was the best western ever made . I think it's time I watch it .

[@AsaFisk-m3b]

Check out that initial Warner Blu-ray, too. It was a very “wow” release in the beginning of the format. If I’m not mistaken, they restored this movie to 4K for THAT release many years ago.

[@JoeMckenzie85]

My favourite John Ford movies are - My Darling Clementine, Fort Apache, Rio Grande, the Searchers, the Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

[@christopherjohnson9001]

Great list but add The Quiet Man for me! 😉

[@JoeMckenzie85]

@christopherjohnson9001 I've actually not seen it since i was a kid. It's set in Ireland if I remember ?

[@christopherjohnson9001]

@ yes, in fact there is an extra on the Blu-ray Disc (maybe check KZbin) that shows the actual town, railroad, etc. It’s worth noting that the summer of filming was one of the sunniest most pleasant on record which makes the film pop with color. Ireland is green! Also, this was a passion project for John Ford who ‘had’ to make Rio Grande before the studio would green-lite The Quiet Man. Definitely worth another viewing if not for the great dialogue!

[@RobertSummerfield-e9q]

I think hink best western ever made definitely John Wayne's best film love it

[@SpaceCattttt]

This is one to buy for the 4K image alone. It's a HUGE shame and almost offensively unfair that what is arguably the definitive western shouldn't get a few new extras for what I suppose is its 70th anniversary release. I mean, the extras are all good, but we needed more this time. Still, it's a must have release. And next year we'll get a 4K of Once Upon a Time in the West, which I suspect will be a similar situation to this one: fantastic 4K with old extras, but still a must buy.

[@burninator1983]

Paramount has already released Once Upon a Time in the West on 4K. I doubt there will be a new release of that film (except maybe with new packaging) any time soon.

[@clumpyschlipz7571]

​@@burninator1983such a shame as they did a poor job

[@aquelescaraaaaaaaaaa]

It's a bit inbetween the lines, but the reason Why Ethan is dismissive and rude to Martin is because he's a constant reminder of the gruesome fate of his parents at the hands of the comanches - which hints at a much more close relationship Ethan had with the indians when younger, going away to fight in the War as a way to forget/avoid his tragic falling out, and finding great use in his experience dealing with them to find Debbie. This is why it's also important near the end of the film when Scar shows him his collection of scalps, to show they've crossed paths in the past, to let Ethan know that he was the one who raped and murdered Martin's mother and kept her scalp. It's a bit more complicated than to just say "oh Ethan's just racist" because that's not the case at all. The Searchers is one of the few movies I'd say that are truly timeless, like how every single person on earth should read Lord of the Rings and War and Peace at least once, they should watch The Searchers. I've been looking at screenshots for this new 4K version and it's just an absolute feast to the eyes. Thanks for the screencaps!

[@midlevelmedia]

Thank you for the added insight. That will add multiple new layers for me to dig into on the rewatch!

[@Wildwest89]

The searchers is probably the greatest western

[@prestonnull4009]

Love this film. My favorite western and Fords/ Wayne best.

[@paulfillingham4778]

One of my top 3 westerns of all time (The Wild Bunch and Once Upon a Time in the West) and John Wayne’s best film by far.

[@perrymalcolm3802]

Definitely with My Darling Clementine are my favorite Westerns!!! Liberty Valance comes 3rd

[@johnathanstruble1064]

The Duke is great as a hero, yet some of his greatest roles were not so much a hero.. Searchers, and Red River ..among the best. But huge fan of Big Jake, and the Cowboys. ❤

[@John-p6y1z]

You convinced me to purchase.

[@gibwest4968]

Ward Bond was an important part of this masterpiece

[@jeffcunningham0389]

Rio bravo, el dorado, big jake >>>

[@MikeBarratt-lk3gt]

Rio bravo has a 4k but would be great if big Jake got one 😊

[@jeffcunningham0389]

@ i know it does but just saying my preference in Wayne films

[@jerryrpettus1926]

I do have the blu ray, and these are the featurettes on the disc. The Searchers: An Appreciation A Turning of the Earth: John Ford, John Wayne and The Searchers Introduction by John Wayne's son and The Searchers Co-Star Patrick Wayne Commentary by Director/John Ford biographer Peter Bogdanovich Vintage Behind the Cmaeras segments from the Warner Bros. Present TV Series Theatrical Trailer please feel free to compare to what you have on the 4k. Mine hasn't arrived yet.

[@rfsanjurjo]

Nice to include a new 4K-sourced blu-ray, instead of reusing the old blu-ray, like Waner-no-archive did with Rio Bravo

[@danielparker3842]

Long time favorite and looks sooooo good.

[@davidfox5383]

I like the movie though I'm not a superfan, and I grew up with Westerns though I'm not a superfan of the genre. But I am actually really excited to receive my copy of this one. Maybe it's the great cover art, maybe it is a good memory of the first time I saw it. Maybe it's because I really want to see those vistas in 4K. But I can't wait! What a great year it's been for 4K and I can't wait for next year's releases.

[@jab-pt3pc]

I wish they would have included the digital code

[@frankholden7026]

The Greatest horse opera of all time…

[@hombre1965]

Having grown up among Westerns dominating television and constantly in theaters, this time with its lack of and poor attempts at the genre makes me feel like I’m crossing a desert devoid of waterholes.

[@jr4bz]

Instant purchase for me!

[@stephensinclair8127]

My favourite western by far.

[@2steelshells]

I still catch this when it's playing.im 69 years old,just about my fav western.woke lib film makers apologize for today's views on native Americans,so that alone makes it real special for lovers of history.excusing the entertaining non vital to story scenes,5 stars all the way.

[@masudashizue777]

I love The Searchers. However, it appeared that dead Indian in the ground moved, or is that just my imagination?

[@popey129]

Great review . Many film fans think the little girl missing is John Wayne daughter from a hidden affair with his brothers wife.

[@Avelinovski]

However pointless "Best film" lists are, in my opinion, we're talking about one of the 10 best films ever, never mind westerns. I keep feeling the same endless awe and finding new things after about 30-40 viewings since I discovered it 40-odd years ago as a kid.

[@blairlasky2919]

my favorite western,,,"Martha, Martha"

[@jerryjazzbo2845]

You haven't seen it yet? I'm out.

[@droidx1191]

The Searchers is the greatest Western movie ever made.

[@michelle_pgh]

Looks like I'll be buying The Searchers yet again. Granted, it's not hard to make it look amazing when you're starting with Vistavision.

[@thomcook8570]

There are three movies Warner Archive needs to restore and release in in 4K in 2025: THE WILD BUNCH, THE WILD BUNCH and THE WILD BUNCH! Hopefully you will get my point. Thanks for the magnifient 4K THE SEARCHERS!

[@midlevelmedia]

That would be perfect for the Archive to tackle.

[@waynemcauliffe-fv5yf]

My favourite western mate

[@BRLaue]

After three or more viewings I predict it will become your number one. Check out the car in the upper tenth of the screen when the cavalry crosses the creek.

[@Phillie41510]

I watch this movie every thanksgiving lmao sounds FKD UP LOL but John Wayne movies are soo good

[@johnhollo6881]

I was hoping for The Never Ending Story! What are you waiting for? Christmas?

[@midlevelmedia]

This one was a priority for me.

[@billcook4768]

Speaking just for me, I want the best reproduction of the best version of the movie that existed “back in the day.” If the day for night sequences didn’t look so great back then, I don’t want people coming along now and fixing them. But otherwise, it sounds great.

[@AnthonyBehindTheScenes]

They have shared this on their Facebook page

[@strubdog]

I believe their first 4K was “The Outsiders” from a few years ago.

[@TheDbduece]

The Searchers in 4k was struck from a 70mm print which tends to lend itself to excellent transfers....

[@jamesmeyers5370]

The movie was semi-based on real events. The life of the girl who was kidnapped is sad following her rescue.

[@patrickwilliams1801]

😂 Say something Mr. Midlevel Media!!!!! Happy New Year 2025

[@wileyjdraws7594]

Red river is another great Wayne Western but is ruined by a cherry ending

[@donaldknapp3598]

I think the blu-ray looks fine and I will not be upgrading to the 4K.

[@midlevelmedia]

Fair

[@BRLaue]

On your second viewing, look for the relationship between Ethan and his brother’s wife and keep that thread in the back of your mind as you watch the rest of the movie. The sprawling aspect is just on the surface, it is much more an intimate depiction of community in the brutal Texas plains.

[@LaughMuBai]

Sold! 😁

[@hooareya6261]

I know beauty salons in Comanche teepees wow couldn't believe it.

[@1225KPH]

Indian Head Pieces? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 They're War Bonnets, Kid.

[@ZulcanPrime]

I have been waiting for this movie to be released on 4K. It is one of my favorite westerns. High Noon is my number one western, and Shane is in the top ten list. I have loved this movie since I watched it on a small black and white TV in pan and scan in the 1970s as a teenager. I have copies of this movie on DVD and Blu-ray discs. Natalie Wood plays the teenage girl and her real-life younger sister played the kidnapped girl from the family cabin.

[@rlfiore1]

Something to be aware of: If you know your John Ford, you know that Ford always made a point of having Native parts played by Native actors. Therefore, when he had the character Scar obviously played by a white actor, you should realize there is a reason for it, and the likely reason is this: To suggest the possibility that Scar himself was abducted as a child and raised as a Comanche.

[@midlevelmedia]

Thank you for that context. It’ll make future viewings a little more layered for me.

[@slave_to_cinema]

Warner Archive always does amazing work but the credit should go the restoration houses like UCLA and the television film archive. Warner Archive handles the quality control and it 100% bc they know the importance of getting these physical releases correct. If you want to be wowed by another Warner Archive release check out The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grim.

[@brunomachado7279]

I don't like westerns a lot, but considering this one.

[@Mavericks90]

This one is visually pleasing.... It was fantastic on the original blu ray as well. It's worth a shot