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WESTERNS

WESTERNS. WESTERNS. A major defining genre of American films One of the oldest, most enduring, and flexible genres An indigenous American art form. Usually set on the American frontier during the last part of the 19 th century (1865 – 1900)

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WESTERNS

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  1. WESTERNS

  2. WESTERNS A major defining genre of American films One of the oldest, most enduring, and flexible genres An indigenous American art form

  3. Usually set on the American frontier during the last part of the 19th century (1865 – 1900) • May extend back to the American colonial period or forward to the mid-20th century • May extend geographically to Mexico and Canada

  4. The western film genre often portrays the conquest of the wilderness and the subordination of nature, in the name of civilization, or the confiscation of the territorial rights of the original inhabitants of the frontier (inhumanely portrayed as savage Indians)

  5. Lonely isolated forts Ranch houses Isolated homesteads The saloon The jail The livery stable Small town main streets Frontier towns on the edges of civilization SPECIFIC SETTINGS INCLUDE:

  6. The hanging tree Stetsons & spurs Saddles Lassos Colt 45s Bandanas Canteens Stagecoaches Gamblers Long-horned cattle Cattle drives Prostitutes with hearts of gold And more ICONIC ELEMENTS

  7. PLOT The central plot of the western film is the classic, simple goal of maintaining law and order on the frontier in a fast-paced action story

  8. Good vs. bad Virtue vs. evil White hat vs. black hat Man vs. man New arrivals vs. Native Americans Settlers vs. Indians Humanity vs. nature Civilization vs. lawlessness Villains vs. heroes Lawman vs. outlaw Law and order vs. anarchy ARCHETYPAL CONFLICTS

  9. Rugged individualist vs. the community Cultivated East vs. West Settler vs. nomad Farmer vs. rancher ARCHETYPAL CONFLICTS

  10. Hostile elements (often Native Americans) Guns and gunfights Violence Horses Trains (and train robberies) Bank robberies and holdups Runaway stagecoaches Shootouts and showdowns Outlaws and sheriffs Cattle drives TYPICAL ELEMENTS

  11. Cattle rustlings Stampedes Posses Barroom brawls Open landscapes Distinctive western clothing TYPICAL ELEMENTS

  12. THE WESTERN HERO Western heroes often are local lawmen, ranchers, army officers, cowboys, marshals, or skilled gunfighters

  13. They are normally masculine persons of integrity and principle – courageous, moral, tough, solid, and self-sufficient THE WESTERN HERO

  14. THE WESTERN HERO Can face danger on his own and stand alone against the forces of lawlessness

  15. SUBGENRES OF WESTERNS The epic western (i.e. The Big Country (1958) )

  16. SUBGENRES OF WESTERNS The “singing cowboy” western ( films of Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, etc.)

  17. SUBGENRES OF WESTERNS The “spaghetti” western (films of Sergio Leone)

  18. SUBGENRES OF WESTERNS The “contemporary” western (i.e. Hud (1963) )

  19. SUBGENRES OF WESTERNS The “revisionistic” western (i.e. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid 1969 ) (The Wild Bunch 1969 )

  20. SUBGENRES OF WESTERNS The “comedy” western (i.e Cat Ballou 1965 ) (Blazing Saddles 1974 )

  21. SUBGENRES OF WESTERNS The “Post-apocalyptic” Western (i.e. The Road Warrior (1981)) (The Postman (1997))

  22. SUBGENRES OF WESTERNS The “Science-fiction” Western (i.e. Outland (1981))

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