An Introduction to the Genre

 The Western  major defining genre of American film industry  most characteristically American genre  nostalgic eulogy to days of the untamed American frontier  one of the oldest, most enduring and flexible genres

 Popularity  Popularity of westerns has waxed and waned.  Most prolific era was in the 1930s -1960s.  There was a resurgence of the genre in 1990s.

 Stereotypical Characteristics  Central plot is maintaining law and order on the frontier.  Fast-paced action story  Often the hero of a western meets his opposite "double," a mirror of his own evil side that he has to destroy.  Each movie is a morality tale  hostile elements (often Native Americans)  guns and gun fights (sometimes on horseback),  violence and human massacres  Conquest of the wilderness  Depicts code of honour rather than law  Social status through acts of violence, or generosity.

 Archetypal Conflict  5 main types of conflict  Human versus self  Human versus human  Human versus environment  Human versus society  Human versus God (or fate)

 Western Conflicts  good vs. bad  white hat vs. black hat  new arrivals vs. Native Americans  humanity vs. nature  civilization vs. wilderness  Civilization versus lawlessness  schoolteachers vs. saloon dance-hall girls  lawman or sheriff vs. gunslinger  the rugged individualist vs. the community  the cultivated East vs. Wild West  farmer vs. industrialist

 Setting and Time  Late 19 th century (1880s) through early 20 th century (1930s)  Incorporates the Civil War into the film directly or the subtext  Set in the American West with stunning landscapes  May range geographically from Mexico to Canada  Landscape may become a central character in the film  Stress the harshness of the landscape or juxtapose the beauty of it with the dirtiness of a town

 Traditional Western Character Archetypes  Noble, local lawman  skilled, fast-draw gunfighter  Hard working ranchers  Brooding (quiet) Cowboys  Corrupt, local lawman (bully)  Manipulative Jezebel (prostitute)  Helpless virgin  Victimized widow  Vengeful daughter (righteous revenge)

  courageous, moral, tough, solid and self-sufficient  Semi – nomadic  maverick characters (often with trusty sidekicks)  could usually stand alone and face danger on his own, against the forces of lawlessness (outlaws or other antagonists)  expert display of his physical skills (roping, gun- play, horse-handling, pioneering abilities, etc.)  Sole possessions consist of clothing, a gun and maybe a horse Traditional Western Hero Archetype

 Iconography  Defined: pictorial material relating to or illustratinga subject (Merriam Webster’s)  the symbols or visual representations associated with a particular genre of film

 Western Iconography  Spurs  Stetson (hat)  boots  Colt. 45’s (hand gun)  Prostitutes  Saloon  Sheriff (the law)  Faithful Steed (horse)  Indians  American Flag  Dusty roads  Wide, open landscapes  trains (and train robberies)  bank robberies and holdups  stage coaches  Cows: cattle drives, cattle rustling, stampedes  posses in pursuit

  The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man, or take unfair advantage.  He must never go back on his word or a trust confided in him.  He must always tell the truth.  He must be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals.  He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas. “Cowboy Code”

  He must help people in distress.  He must be a good worker.  He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action, and personal habits.  He must respect women, parents, and his nation's laws.  The Cowboy is a patriot. Cowboy Code continued

  Use of the anti-hero  Stronger roles for women  More sympathetic portrayal of American Indians  Critical views of American government, military, and their policies  Critical views of masculine figures  Nontraditional sexuality  Black humor New Western Elements