1. American Cinema Schedule
Today – Finish Movie #2 – start Westerns – Western #1
Wednesday – Western #1 – Film Noir due
Thursday – Finish Western #1 – Western #2
Friday – Finish Western #2
Monday – Western #3
Tuesday – Finish Western #3
Wednesday – Turn in Western Reviews – Film Noir and Westerns test
Thursday – Seniors shadowing – make-up day
Friday – No school (Fall Break)

2. Western Movies
The Making of the West

3. “As far as I’m concerned, Americans don’t have any original art except western movies and jazz…”
Clint Eastwood

4. An Overview Major defining genre of American film industry
Nostalgic look at days of the untamed American frontier
One of the oldest, most enduring and flexible genres
One of the most characteristically American genres
Nostalgic historical feel

5. Setting and Time Set in the American West
Almost always in the 19th Century (1800’s)
Often 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 – Usually set against stunning American landscapes
Stress the harshness of the landscape, or juxtapose the beauty of it with the dirtiness of a town
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

6. Some possible locations
Isolated forts
Ranch houses
Isolated homestead
Saloon
Jail

7. The Hero Typical traits Traditional Western Heroes
Often semi–nomadic characters
Sole possessions consist of clothing, a gun and maybe a horse
local lawmen
ranchers
army officers
cowboys
territorial marshals
skilled, fast-draw gunfighter
1. What would your western hero look like?

8. Traditional Elements Hostile elements (often Native Americans)
Guns and gun fights
Violence and human massacres
Horses
Trains (and train robberies)
Bank robberies and holdups
Runaway stage coaches
Shoot-outs and showdowns
Depicts code of honor rather than law
Social status through acts of violence, or generosity

9. Traditional Elements continued
Outlaws and sheriffs
Cattle drives and cattle rustling
Stampedes
Posses in pursuit
Barroom brawls
Breathtaking settings and open landscapes
Distinctive western clothing (denim, jeans, boots, etc.)

10. Spaghetti Westerns Revival of the western genre in Italy (1960’s)
Low budget films
Locations chosen for their cheapness, and similarity to American mid-West (southern Spain was often chosen)
More action and violence than Hollywood westerns
Clint Eastwood started his career in these

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

12. Our Films The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance – 1962 – John Ford
The Outlaw Josey Whales – 1976 – Clint Eastwood
True Grit – 2010 – Ethan and Joel Coen