A Western Rarity: SERGEANT RUTLEDGE (1960)

With this Ford film, we’ll continue the themes from rugged wilderness and racism as discussed in my coverage of THE SEARCHERS, into similar territory in SERGEANT RUTLEDGE. We will take a closer look at the ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ of the U.S. Cavalry history, but with the suspense of a courtroom drama. For discussion of this film’s story, it’s important to note the historical relevance of Black … Continue reading A Western Rarity: SERGEANT RUTLEDGE (1960)

THE SEARCHERS (1956), a Film Study

[The following was part of my John Ford film study course I taught in the winter of 2023. SPOILERS are included in this handout, so if you haven’t watched this film before, feel free to refrain until you do so.] As we transition to our next film, THE SEARCHERS (1956), we will experience a very different John Ford film, with a starkly darker role for … Continue reading THE SEARCHERS (1956), a Film Study