Western History of the Western film First western

Western

History of the Western film � � � First western film was 1903 the great train robbery. Its innovative editing and storytelling helped tell the story for film as a whole, let alone just the genre of the Western. It focused on daring escapes and defeating bad guys. 1940 westerns were usually films made for children to watch. Often times they would end in cliff hangers as parts of serials. The 1950 s were in general a golden era for cinema, but was specifically good for western films. During the 1960 s, American interest in westerns began to decrease. However, the genre became popular I italy. Italian-funded/produced westerns now. They were the most successful westerns of the 60 s. While the genre was audience appeal during the 60 s, American filmmakers were looking for new ways to breath life into the genre. They did this in a few ways some directors took dark, graphic turns with their films, while others went for pure comedy. As the genre itself lose interest, the genre lost its direction. In today's Hollywood, the western is an all but dead genre. However, every couple of years there comes a new film that revisits the Old West. But it no longer glorifies that lifestyle. instead it focuses on the human to ll of the violence.

Sub-Genres of the Western film � Contemporary Western is a sub-genre that shows themes of classic Westerns, but is set in contemporary America. These films are usually still set in the west. Contemporary Westerns usually use the classic cowboy struggling in the civilized world. They show its changed since 1800 s. � Revisionist Western was found in the 1960 s as a response to classic Westerns. These films took a different look at the West, often involving Native Americans as more than just savages. Revisionist Westerns called the audience to see whether violence is moral – even if the protagonist is justified. � Science-Fiction Western is a genre that incorporates Sci-Fi into a Western film. future technology is used to transport the characters into the Wild West. These films tend to have a lighter tone and less violence than traditional Western films. � Spaghetti Westerns were developed in the 1960 s and 1970 s. These films are low budgets and were often filmed in a desert. Spaghetti Westerns introduced more violence into the Western genre.

Iconography of the Western film Setting- rivers, deserts and mountians. Stereotypes- guns, and battles Themes- culture vs nature, east vs west, or community vs individual.

Actors/Directors associated with Western films �Best actors: John wayne Clint eastwood Randolph scott Gary cooper James stewart Sam Elliot Burt Lancaster Kirk douglas Glenn ford William holden Best directors Anothony Mann Budd Boetticher Sam Packinpah John ford Howard hawks Clint Eastwood Raoul Walsh John Sturges Delmer Daves Sergio leone

Box Office – Top 10 films of the Genre � Dances with wolves 1990 � The revenant 2015 � True grit 2010 � Django untrained 2012 � Rango 2011 � Wild west 1999 � Waverick 1994 � Unforgiven 1992 � Cowboys and aliens 2011 � The magnificent seven 2016

Budgets – Top 10 films of the Genre �The stooges go west 1951 �The shooting 1966 �Doc holidays revenge 2 2014 �Big money rustlas 2010 �Convict stage 1965 �Arrow in the dust 1954 �Ghost riders 1987 �Ambush trail 1946

Critically acclaimed examples �Rancho notorious �Red river �High noon �Unforgiven �Mc. Cabe and mrs miller �Butch cassidy and the sundance kid �The searchers �The wild bunch �Once upon a time in the west

Stretch and Challenge: Ideologies/Contexts