The are several good essays on THE SEARCHERS. Three that I recommend are:
1. Brian Henderson, “The Searchers”: An American Dilemma." Film Quarterly Dec 1980, Vol. 34, No. 2: 9–23. Available on line at: caliber.ucpress.net/toc/fq/34/2 and other locations.
2. Christopher Sharrett, “Through a Door Darkly: A Reappraisal of John Ford’s The Searchers,” Cineaste (2006). There are excerpts on-line. Just Google the author’s name + SEARCHERS.
3. The Searchers: Essays and Reflections on John Ford’s Classic Western
Ed. by Peter Lehman – 2004
Of course, you should not PLAGIARIZE these authors’ ideas, but use them to develop your own take on the film. You can even show the admissions committee that you can do college-level research by citing some of these sources!
Good luck!
Will: Also make sure that your spelling and grammar are correct. I would routinely deny admittance to anyone who made too many such errors in their application.
If you want to run your essay past me before submitting it, I’d be glad to read it and make suggestions.
They also love Robert Altman.
the greatest tip i can give is not worrying about other students applications and if u write a critical analysis on a film that u are very familiar with and feel passionate about, that will come across in your writing and will make your work incomparable (the way it should be :O)
Don’t write about a Will Ferrell or Judd Apatow movie.
Antonioni, ie. BLOW UP!
Congratulations Will. You just got Tomasulo as an advisor! I’d take advantage of it if I were you.
Thanks everyone. But I’d still like to know if there are any movies that are overdone for the critical analysis submissions. Thanks. :)
@Will: What movies are over-done for critical analysis? First off, where are you applying? Schools like Tisch have an acceptance rate of around 7%. I’m not saying don’t apply, but being aware of the odds is important (as is the fact that you’re actually reading a “linking” sentence at the moment). Second, it doesen’t matter what movie you do as long as your response is insightful. If you pick something wonky just because you want to look cool, they’ll know. To top it off, your analysis will be skewed. You’re maybe 17-25 if you’re applying to college, and the reviewer is likely in their 30’s or 40’s and reads this stuff every day for months. Your best bet is to analyze your favourite movie, whatever it may be… even if it’s not a “great” movie. Just be sure you know it well, and it’d be even better if the movie meant something to you in a real sense beyond “yeah, that was so deep.” Finally, take advantage of Tomasulo’s offer.
Yes, take Dr. Tomasulo’s offer. This kind of thing is a rare gift for someone in your position.
Dr T will certainly give Will a set up on the competition.
dp
WhatsUpWill
Hello.
I’m filling out college applications for film schools and each application requires a “critical film analysis”. Now, I know perfectly well what that is and all, but what I’m wondering is if anyone has knowledge on the most common critical analyses that students submit with their applications? I don’t want to do something that is incredibly popular. I was thinking of doing The Searchers, but I’m not sure. Help? Also, are there any other tips anyone can provide in the writing of one of these critical analyses?
Thanks.