It's likely that John Wayne fans will be thrilled by this superb DVD release of "The Searchers". And anyone interested in Hollywood history will also find plenty to enjoy from the fascinating extra features on the disc.

The DVD offers a choice of watching the film in either full screen or widescreen. Whichever you choose, the picture quality of both is simply stunning. At times the image is immaculate, and the strong Technicolor tones are vibrant and fresh throughout.

The sound is restricted to a 1.0 mono mix but it is clear and doesn't distort, no matter how many war cries and gunshots are aimed at it.

The extra features on the DVD consist of the trailer and four fascinating 'Warner Bros. Presents' 1956 featurettes containing interviews and background footage of the movie.

The first is the 'Jeffrey Hunter Interview' which is almost stooge-like in its staged format of grins and useless information. Also featured is footage of how the studio managed to transform the now "friendly Navajo... into bloodthirsty warriors".

Next is 'Setting Up Production', which looks at how Hollywood transformed the lives of the last major Navajo reserve with roads and electricity in order to make the movie.

The other two consist of a 'Natalie Wood Interview' and 'Monument Valley'. Both offer more behind the scenes footage of the wonders of modern civilisation and what it's brought to the primitive Navajo.

These insights into Hollywood PR of the 1950s are quite astonishing. And Warner Brothers have also retained the wonderful adverts of the time for supposedly healthy, tasty cigarettes and a 'controlled suds' washing powder from Monsanto.

Chapters: 44
Ratio: 1.33:1 (side a); 1.85:1 (Side b)
Sound: Dolby Digital 1.0
Extra Features: Scene selection, trailer, Warner Bros. Presents: 'Jeffrey Hunter Interview', 'Setting Up Production', 'Natalie Wood Interview', 'Monument Valley', multiple languages, subtitles, English and Italian for the hearing impaired.