Stagecoach Film Analysis

When people think of westerns, the image of cowboys exchanging gunfire in the vast desert of the old west is the first thought that pops into most people's mind. Consequently, some people question whether or not the film, Stagecoach, is truly a western because of it having many more complex elements that are not typically featured in westerns. However, upon analyzing the plot of Stagecoach, it becomes quite evident that despite having details that separate it and make it stand out amongst the other westerns of the time, it still qualifies as a western film because it has all the content to make it a stereotypical western.
When you boil down the plot of Stagecoach, it is easy to see that it is undoubtedly a western. Films within this genre can
However, some people question whether or not Stagecoach is a western because features more than just the genre’s stereotypical plot elements. For example, the film presents a somewhat in-depth look into the background stories of each of the characters as opposed to just focusing on a single hero, as well as an intricate plot. It also covers many complex and taboo issues such as prostitution, interracial marriage, pregnancy, spouses going off to war, and much more. This is extremely unique to a film of the western genre because most films tend to focus on just the gun battles or the violent elements. Plus, in terms of taboo subjects, many films would not even think about touching such matters due to the Production Code and the general morally uptight population of the time period. Thus, the fact that a western managed to hit on so many taboo topics whilst attempting to stay true to the genre is a great feat. Furthermore, by adding unique plot twists and including more controversial and unusual elements to Stagecoach, John Ford effectively changed the game when it comes to the way people envision westerns. In conclusion, to say that Stagecoach is not a western is doing the film a huge injustice. It may not mirror the average western format, but it still has all the ingredients to place the film within the western genre such as cowboys, gunfights, and the New Frontier. Plus, in addition to its plot elements, it was directed by John Ford, a man especially known for his westerns. Thus, considering all this information, Stagecoach falls in the western