So why does Ethan change his mind at the end?
I'm not exactly sure why Ethan changes his mind at the end and doesn't kill Debbie. Why the change of heart? Is there some subtle clue I missed somewhere in the movie?
sharethe girl was innocent
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MovieChat Forums > The Searchers (1956) Discussion > So why does Ethan change his mind at the...
Because at last vengeance was meted out to Scar and because Ethan had already harbored reservations in his heart about killing Debbie should he ever find her.
Remember, Ethan and Martin spent several years on their quest; so, Ethan had had plenty of time to think and rethink his objectives -- and with Scar now out of the equation, Ethan's blood lust was now satisfied.
Good answer.
shareI think it was just love. Seeing her at that moment, he just changed his mind out of love.
shareIt is rather sudden and convenient for the movie, but on the other hand, would we want a different outcome?
shareDebbie is the last remaining reminder of Martha, the woman Ethan loved and who married his brother. That eventually overcomes his hate for the Comanches.
shareIt didn't make sense from the beginning why he wanted to kill her. Then when he saw her (Natalie Wood) he realized how wrong it was. I still don't get it, she was the victim; shouldn't his sole purpose have been to rescue her all along?
shareTribalism.
Debbie obviously had sex with Scar and probably a few other Commanche warriors.
Taking Debbie back, some people could question where her true allegiance lie...with the settlers or with the Commanche and Scars tribe.
Ethan wanted to kill her because it was with the Commanche and Scar (she actually said so at one point)...too much time had passed she would be to far gone, calling the Commanche her family.
One look in Debbie's eyes by Ethan, and it was clear that it wasn't.
What I didn't get is why Debbie changed her mind.
When they first meet up with her, she basically tells them to leave; that the Comanche are her people now. Then when Martin comes around the second time, she immediately wants to be rescued. I feel like I missed something.
When she meets them at the river, she hugs Martin and says she remembers. So she might have thought for a while and realized, “that’s my brother!”
shareIt’s been so long I don’t remember the specifics of that scene, but if your description is accurate it may explain the sister’s seemingly inexplicable change of heart.
Appreciate the response.
Hollywood ending - that's the answer. Not acceptable to kill her and also not acceptable (for Wayne) to be killed.
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