🎞️American Cinema – Before 1960 Unit 5 – Genre Studies – The Western

What's a Western?

• Genre of film set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West
• Depicts a society organized around codes of honor and justice
• Revolves around the life of nomadic cowboys or gunfighters armed with revolvers and rifles
• Frequently portrays conflicts with Native Americans
• Often takes place in isolated settlements away from civilization (frontier towns, ranches, cavalry forts)
• Commonly features breathtaking landscapes of the vast open plains, deserts, and mountain ranges of the American West
• Explores themes of rugged individualism, self-reliance, and the taming of the wild frontier
• Popularized the iconic image of the "cowboy" as a symbol of American culture

Origins and Early Examples

• Emerged in the early 20th century as a romanticized version of the American Old West
• Drew inspiration from popular Western literature and Wild West shows of the late 19th century
  • Dime novels and pulp magazines featured stories of cowboys, outlaws, and lawmen
  • Buffalo Bill's Wild West show popularized the image of the cowboy in the public imagination
• Edwin S. Porter's "The Great Train Robbery" (1903) is considered one of the earliest and most influential Western films
  • Established many conventions of the genre, such as armed bandits, train robberies, and shootouts
• "Broncho Billy" Anderson starred in a series of early Western shorts in the 1900s and 1910s
• William S. Hart became one of the first major Western stars in the 1910s and 1920s
  • Known for his authentic portrayal of cowboys and his gritty, realistic style
• Other notable early Western films include "The Virginian" (1914) and "The Covered Wagon" (1923)

Key Themes and Conventions

• The struggle between wilderness and civilization
  • The hero often represents the civilizing force, while the villain embodies the lawlessness of the frontier
• The importance of honor, courage, and justice
  • Heroes are often driven by a strong moral code and a sense of duty
• The role of violence in maintaining order
  • Gunfights and shootouts are central to the resolution of conflicts
• The clash between individualism and community
  • Heroes must often balance their personal desires with the needs of society
• The romanticization of the American frontier
  • Depicts the Old West as a mythic landscape of adventure and opportunity
• The representation of race and ethnicity
  • Frequently portrays Native Americans and Mexicans as stereotypical "others" in contrast to the white hero
• The centrality of masculinity and male camaraderie
  • Emphasizes the bonds between men and the importance of proving one's manhood

Iconic Characters and Archetypes

• The lone hero
  • A rugged, independent cowboy or gunfighter who upholds justice (John Wayne, Clint Eastwood)
• The faithful sidekick
  • Provides comic relief and loyalty to the hero (Gabby Hayes, Walter Brennan)
• The schoolmarm
  • A refined, educated woman who represents civilization and domesticity (Grace Kelly in "High Noon")
• The saloon girl
  • A beautiful but often morally ambiguous woman associated with the wild frontier (Marlene Dietrich in "Destry Rides Again")
• The villainous outlaw
  • A ruthless, charismatic criminal who threatens the social order (Lee Marvin in "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance")
• The noble savage
  • A stereotypical portrayal of a "good" Native American who aids the white hero (Jay Silverheels as Tonto)
• The corrupt sheriff or politician
  • Represents the failure of official authority and the need for the hero to take matters into his own hands

Evolution of the Genre

• The 1930s saw the rise of the singing cowboy (Gene Autry, Roy Rogers)
  • Introduced musical numbers and a more family-friendly tone to the genre
• The 1940s and 1950s marked the golden age of the Western
  • Films became more psychologically complex and morally ambiguous ("The Searchers," "High Noon")
  • Directors like John Ford and Howard Hawks elevated the genre to new artistic heights
• The 1960s and 1970s saw a revisionist approach to the Western
  • Films like "The Wild Bunch" and "McCabe & Mrs. Miller" challenged traditional Western myths and portrayed a more violent, pessimistic view of the frontier
• The Spaghetti Western subgenre emerged in the 1960s
  • Italian-made Westerns known for their stylized violence, anti-heroes, and iconic soundtracks (Sergio Leone's "Dollars Trilogy")
• The 1980s and 1990s saw a decline in traditional Westerns, with occasional revivals (Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven")
• Contemporary Westerns often blend elements of other genres (science fiction, horror) or subvert classic tropes (Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained")

Notable Films and Directors

• John Ford
  • "Stagecoach" (1939), "My Darling Clementine" (1946), "The Searchers" (1956)
  • Known for his sweeping landscapes, use of Monument Valley, and collaboration with John Wayne
• Howard Hawks
  • "Red River" (1948), "Rio Bravo" (1959)
  • Known for his strong male characters, rapid-fire dialogue, and themes of professionalism
• Sergio Leone
  • "A Fistful of Dollars" (1964), "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (1966), "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1968)
  • Known for his stylized violence, close-ups, and iconic Ennio Morricone scores
• Sam Peckinpah
  • "Ride the High Country" (1962), "The Wild Bunch" (1969)
  • Known for his graphic violence, slow-motion action sequences, and themes of the passing of the Old West
• Other notable films
  • "High Noon" (1952), "Shane" (1953), "The Magnificent Seven" (1960), "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969)

Cultural Impact and Significance

• Helped shape the myth of the American West and the idea of Manifest Destiny
  • Portrayed westward expansion as a heroic, civilizing mission despite the displacement of Native Americans
• Reflected and influenced American values and ideals
  • Rugged individualism, self-reliance, and the importance of justice and honor
• Popularized the image of the cowboy as an American icon
  • Inspired fashion, toys, and other aspects of popular culture
• Provided a lens through which to examine American history and identity
  • Allowed filmmakers to explore issues of race, gender, violence, and the nature of progress
• Influenced other genres and media
  • Elements of the Western can be seen in science fiction (space operas), action films, and television series
• Contributed to the global popularity and influence of American cinema
  • Spaghetti Westerns demonstrated the international appeal and malleability of the genre

Legacy and Influence on Modern Cinema

• Established enduring archetypes and tropes
  • The lone hero, the frontier setting, the climactic shootout
• Inspired revisionist and deconstructionist approaches to the genre
  • Films like "Unforgiven" and "Deadwood" subvert traditional Western myths and explore the darker aspects of the frontier
• Paved the way for the "neo-Western" or "post-Western"
  • Films set in contemporary times that draw on Western themes and iconography ("No Country for Old Men," "Hell or High Water")
• Influenced the development of other genres
  • The space Western ("Star Wars," "Firefly"), the post-apocalyptic Western ("Mad Max"), and the Western horror film ("Bone Tomahawk")
• Continues to be referenced, parodied, and celebrated in popular culture
  • "Westworld," "Back to the Future Part III," "Rango"
• Remains a significant part of American film history and a testament to the enduring power of myth and storytelling