John Ford’s Western offers a bleak assessment of the possibility of ever truly returning home following wartime experiences. After years of fighting, Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) arrives at his brother’s farm ready for peace. When Comanches attack and kill his brother and family, Edwards takes up arms again and sets off in pursuit of his kidnapped nieces. After years of searching, he finds his surviving niece, who initially refuses to be rescued. Edwards persists and returns her home, but finds there is no place for him there in one of the most devastating and iconic closing images in cinema history.

Notes by Kevin Coyne.

Screening as part of the IFI’s Odysseys season throughout July.

Tickets for 70mm screenings of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey on sale now!