Conventions, History and Examples Western Movies Conventions, History and Examples

An Overview – Key Points Telling stories set in the American West Often portray films in a romanticised light Nostalgic historical feel Genre has been popular throughout the history of the movies Has diminished in importance as the United States moves further away from the period depicted in these movies. Romanticised – not meaning ‘love’, idealised view that all was beautiful, with the appropriate language to describe Important part of American history, but does not hold the same myth and allure as it used to – America is now more capitalist.

Setting and Time Set in the American West Almost always in the 19th Century Incorporate the Civil War into the film directly, or the background May extend further back into the colonial period Or forward into the mid-twentieth century May range geographically from Mexico to Canada Important events in the 19th century: civil war, California Gold Rush, progression of the railroad, migration from the east across the mountains to the west Some recent films – Desperado etc, have examined the modern day cowboy, who fights against drug barons rather than rustlers

The Hero Semi – nomadic characters Sole possessions consist of clothing, a gun and maybe a horse Some high technology of the era present, e.g. telegraph, printing press, railroad Occasionally these referred to as a development just arriving, symbolising the end of frontier lifestyle and the march of civilisation 1. What would your western hero look like?

Some general conventions Each movie is a morality tale Usually set against stunning American landscapes In some movies the landscapes are the stars more than the actors Stress the harshness of the landscape, or juxtapose the beauty of it with the dirtiness of a town

Some possible locations Isolated forts Ranch houses Isolated homestead Saloon Jail

Iconography Stetsons Spurs Colt. 45’s Prostitutes Saloon Sheriff Faithful Steed Indians

Common themes Conquest of the wilderness Depicts code of honour rather than law. Social status through acts of violence, or generosity.

Evolution Structure drawn from 19th Century melodramatic literature involving virtuous hero and a wicked villain who menaces a virginal heroine Action story, composed of violence, chases and crimes Introduction of the history of migration westwards and opening of frontier – films like The Covered Wagon (1924) Revenge structure, present in films like Billy the Kid (1930)

Sub-genres Classical Western Epic Western Shoot ‘em up Singing Cowboy Westerns Spaghetti Westerns Revisionist Western

Classic Westerns The Great Train Robbery (1903) was the first narrative film produced in US Starred Bronco Billy Anderson He then starred in hundreds of western shorts Genre epitomised by work of two directors – John Ford who used John Wayne as his lead directed Stagecoach (1939), which is considered one of the best westerns ever made.

Spaghetti Westerns Revival of the western genre in Italy Low budget affairs Locations chosen for their cheapness, and similarity to mid-West (southern Spain was often chosen) More action and violence than Hollywood westerns. Sergio Leone’s contributions were the most notable – Once Upon A Time in the West. Clint Eastwood started his career in these

Revisionist Westerns Questioned the role of native as a savage Questioned the hero versus villain theme Some gave women much larger roles

Clint Eastwood

TRUE GRIT FACTS ROOSTER COGBURN JEFF BRIDGES

MATTIE ROSS HAILEE STEINFELD LA BOEUF MATT DAMON TOM CHANEY JOSH BROLIN

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS 2010 AFI Film Award AFI Movie of the Year 2011 Nominated for Oscar: Sound Mixing Cinematography Costume Design Directing Sound Editing Picture of the Year Leading Actor – Jeff Bridges Supporting Actress – Hailee Steinfeld Writing and Screenplay Adaption – Joel Coen and Ethan Coen 2011 Nominated Critics Choice Awards 2011 Screen Actors Guild Award (SAG) Jeff Bridges and Hailee Stienfeld 2011 Teen Choice Award Hailee Stienfeld

And Finally… ‘As far as I’m concerned, Americans don’t have any original art except western movies and jazz…’ Clint Eastwood