'The Searchers'

Is the western the oldest and deepest film genre?

Westerns have been around, basically, since the medium was started early in the 20th century. They've found a ton of success over the years financially and critically. And never has the western ever been down. Maybe they're not made in quite the volume as they once were, but you'll find quite a number every year.

The only genres to really compete: horror and science fiction.

Sci fi started with Trip to the Moon and has clearly become film's biggest moneymaker. Ironically, George Lucas worked in a number of references to The Searchers in his Star Wars films.

Of course, the horror genre can be traced to the Dracula and vampire films of the early part of the century and today they can't make theatres large enough to pack in enough fear-hungry teenagers.

The Searchers takes on a tricky subject. Not one of survival in the old west or circling the wagons. It's not about bandits or sheriffs. A grizzled vet of the Civil War goes on a long search for his niece, who was kidnapped by Native Americans.

The story was apparently written with Cynthia Ann Parker's abduction, which was one of a handful in the actual old west. Parker wound up spending 24 years with the Comanches, marrying, having kids and having a life before she was "liberated."

Of course, you have to consider Stockholm syndrome, which seemed to be what Natalie Wood's character was suffering from as John Wayne was taking her home.

On the surface, Stockholm syndrome doesn't make any sense. With a little thought, I could imagine how living a pretty easy life with a bunch of Indians would be OK.