I think you make a good comparison between the two films, but you are forgetting one crucial detail about Gran Torino. Walt was dying anyway. This was evidenced by his constant episodes of coughing up blood. He knew he didn't have much life left in him, and that had a major impact on his decision in the end. It also speaks volumes about his character; he knew the kind of life he had led up to that point, and the "sacrifice" he decided to make was one final attempt at redemption before his inevitable end.

The racist angle is a good working comparison for both films, as is man's search for his own soul and final act of redemption.
However, you might also compare Gran Torino in some way to John Wayne's "The Shootist" (his final film), ironically directed by Don Siegel, who directed Eastwood many times and was a personal friend.
This comparison would provoke three questions. The first being, J.B. Books character in "The Shootist" knew he was dying, as did "Gran Torino" 's Walt Kowalski. Both in some way (Kowalski more obviously and immediately), helped a much younger character(s) from an uncertain and troubled future. The answer is that Books did not die to save the youth though, Kowalski did by his actions, Books if he did, did so by example and as an afterthought. Kowalski's first intention was toward helping the younger characters.
The second question would be that although both characters put all their affairs in order prior to dying, Kowalski in some way cleansed his soul, Books did not, he just escaped (as Kowalski did) wasting away to disease. So there was redemption for Kowalski and not Books; except that if Ron Howard's character Gillam Rodgers, learned from Books' example. However, this would be a more subtle and less central to the script of "The Shootist".
The final question is that has Eastwood copied Wayne in some way on purpose? Was he borrowing from Wayne's unintentional swan song to pay homage to his own iconic status intentionally?
Wayne often had tag-lines in his films, like "that'll be the day" in "The Searchers". Eastwood is known in many of his films to repeat a tag-line throughout a single film. Wayne often used a rolling stock company of regulars in his films, as did Eastwood. I guess I could list a few more things that might give weight to this assumption, but it's just a fun thought.
Regardless of that, "Gran Torino" was an excellent film. I enjoyed Eastwood's performance and direction and felt at times he was showing us glimpes (the smarl, the growl, the take-charge vigilantism) of his characterizations that made him an icon. His comic timing was perfect and the story was poignant. It was a fitting swan song for his acting career and his inconic characterizations.
I hope the Academy honors Eastwood for the first time as an actor. This would not only be well-deserved after a lifetime of great work in front of the camera, but might also make up( in an indirect way) for not even nominating Wayne for "The Shootist".

I think you're just being overwhelmed with Nostalgia for a more "majestic" film. Gran Torino works because of its flaws. The inherent irony of racism is the films principal thesis.

there is more to both films than just racism or else they wouldn't be any good. They work because the story becomes more complex.

Yea, I was reminded of 'The Shootist' while watching 'Gran Torino.' Walt choosing a violent death and preparing for it by getting a brand new fitted suit, going to the barber……hard not to think of 'The Shootist.'

'Gran Torino' and 'The Searchers' share elements of harboring hatred and consequently an inability to harbor love…….more severe in Ethan Edwards, who in my opinion, because of his inability to harbor love, feels like an outsider in his own family and thus wanders "searching" for peace of of his soul.

I don't feel there is a need to undermine Walt's sacrifice as I thought it was a very effective in capping off his character arch.

I agree with you on all of your points except that I undermined Walt's sacrifice. If anything I said it was more selfless than J.B. Books' a few times. I take it you were referring to the point where I said both Walt and Books escaped wasting away to disease? Well, they did. In Walt's case there was a higher purpose to go along with his want to escape it; the kids.

My bad G, I was referring to the article written by Brad Brevet who seems to undermine Walt's sacrifice to me in this article.

ok, no biggie, allow me to amend my grade…..you get 100% and move to the top of the class, LOL.

I broke a promise in reading this article. Mr. Brevet felt it necessary to respond to me personally by email because I posted a resounding contrary opinion to his review of this movie. I see that everyone in the room is very close to my feeling, about both the movie and the reviewer. I sometimes wonder what these people think they are going to see when the trailers normally show too much these days.
I too thought heavily of the Shootist watching this. Perhaps some of Walt's "sacrifice" was softened by the knowledge that he was dying already. Then again, what better time to clear out the attic? so to speak. I couldn't help notice that without Walt there would have been no accountability for any of the antogonists. None of the published reviewers seem to notice that. They just go heavily on the obvious language of the "old white devil". While also giving no regard to the man's dry humor, or the fact that the Hmong girl next door saw his golden center. Thank god there are Walt's in the world, and Taos too.

Great comparison…My friend, Todd Hunter is Jeffrey Hunter's son. I'll forward this info to him. He's met and talked with many of the actors from Searchers over the years…..dd

Tell Todd for me I'm a great fan of his dad's work…….from a "kiss before dying" to "the searchers", "sgt rutledge" , "from hell to eternity" (which was a family favorite because my dad is a marine and met guy gabaldon), up to his work on "star trek"……..if he wants to say hi he's more than welcome

I also forgot "king of kings" "no man is an island" and "the longest day" LOL

Has anyone written how many John Wayne films influenced Eastwood films? In ANY WHICH WAY YOU CAN, the big fistfight was obviously inspired by THE QUIET MAN. HEARTBREAK RIDGE is a variation on THE SANDS OF IWO JIMA. Now, Eastwood has fused THE SEARCHERS with THE SHOOTIST.

Jeff Hunter should have been a major movie star. Don't forget his performance with Robert Ryan in THE PROUD ONES.

Hunter was a major star due to the fact he did star in quite a few films. However, I think you're right, he should have been bigger. Before he passed away he auditioned for the role of Mike Brady for the Brady Bunch, but the producers didn't want him because they felt he was too good-lloking. They wanted Gene Hackman, but Hackman's movie career started taking off, so he turned them down.
Eastwood does mirror a lot of Wayne films, but he does it well. Every action hero has a tag line they use before or after dispatching a bad guy, something Wayne started doing years before. Also, Wayne re-invented fight scenes with Yakima Canutt to make them look more realistic and everyone since has followed that.
It's obvious the mark Wayne left on film-makers and today's stars. they all use what he started, they all know better than to try and fill his boots.

About Jeff Hunter, has anyone written about his relationship with John Ford? I have read just about every Ford book published and Ford's interactions with both Hunter and Vera Miles is a curious gap in the coverage provided in those books.