Hondo/The Searchers

Hondo is probably my favorite of the ones I've rented so far. He was delivering a message when his horse died. He and his dog, Sam, walked to the nearest ranch, where they came upon a woman and her son. She claimed her husband was up in the hills trying to track down lost sheep, but he could tell it had been months since a man was around. He stayed on to do some things for her and tried to convince her to come into town with him because of the rising problems with the indians. She refused, saying they'd lived in peace. He rode on and when he reached town, he happened upon her husband, drinking and gambling. He delivered his missive and made to head back out to ranch when the husband noticed he was riding one of his horses. He accused him of being a horse thief and Hondo said he hadn't stolen it, he'd borrowed it, and he was on his way back to return it. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the formerly friendly indians weren't so friendly any more. The only thing that saved mother and child was the son's attempt to stand up to them. The chief made them blood brothers and would periodically check in on them to make sure she was raising their brave right. The chief also thought she should marry one of his warriors as the brave needed a man. Hondo stopped to water the horse and the husband followed him. As they were talking they were set upon by the same indians that had claimed the son. Hondo thought all he had to worry about was the indians, but it turns out the husband wanted to kill him, too. Since it was kill or be killed, Hondo had no choice and killed the husband. He found a picture of the son on the man and took it with him. Shortly thereafter, the indians over powered him. They were about to kill him when they found the picture. They brought him to the mother and son and asked if that was her husband. She said yes and they pretty much lived happily ever after from there. My favorite of the rentals so far! Keeper!

The Searchers was tough. John returns to Texas from the war to stay with his brother, his wife and their three kids. There's an illusion that John and the sister-in-law may have had some feelings for each other. The indians in the territory are uprising and John sets off to help a nearby ranch. He's not long gone when he realizes his brother's ranch may be the true target. By the time he gets back it's too late. His brother, sister-in-law and nephew have been brutally murdered and the house burned. His two nieces have been kidnapped. John and his adopted nephew set out after the girls. Eventually they find out the oldest niece has also been murdered. It took 5 years for them to find her. By then she considered herself an indian. She didn't want to leave with them. But, in the end, she did go home with them. I was very touched by this movie and can't wait to add it to my collection.