Western Film Genre
American Western Film
Western films are truly an American genre. The Western genre is usually based on the American cowboy hero, and usually involves conflicts with things such as outlaws, bandits, Indians, and many other things. Other conflicts included in the Western genre include societal conflicts and problems during expansion or travel. Overall, all the elements and things such as cowboys, Indians, robberies, gunman, sheriffs, and other things make up the Western genre. Through several examples such as High Noon (1952) by Fred Zinneman, Stagecoach (1939) by John Ford, and Unforgiven (1992) by Clint Eastwood, the different styles and the iconography of American Western are portrayed. Though each of these movies may have completely different plots, setting, conflicts, and style, all three movies can be considered to be part of the Western genre because of the common theme they produce, the tradition of the genre, and the classic iconography that is portrayed by the directors.
Set in a small town, High Noon is based on a sheriff that feels like it’s his duty to protect his town from criminals. Will Kane, played by Gary Cooper, was a sheriff that had just gotten married and decided to turn in his badge and move elsewhere with his new wife Amy Fowler. However, he learns that several outlaws were awaiting Frank Miller on the noon train, a man that wanted to kill him because he wanted revenge. Scared by the fact that he and his wife would be chased by these men and his town would be in danger, Will Kane decides to head back to town and gather as many men to help him take down these criminals. However, Kane soon realizes that no one is willing to help him as the time the train is arriving is slowly approaching. In the end, Kane has to take out the four criminals himself. In this film, the setting and repetition of some objects sets the tone and iconography of this film. High Noon is set in a classical Western town of that era. However, there are a few elements that
Western films are truly an American genre. The Western genre is usually based on the American cowboy hero, and usually involves conflicts with things such as outlaws, bandits, Indians, and many other things. Other conflicts included in the Western genre include societal conflicts and problems during expansion or travel. Overall, all the elements and things such as cowboys, Indians, robberies, gunman, sheriffs, and other things make up the Western genre. Through several examples such as High Noon (1952) by Fred Zinneman, Stagecoach (1939) by John Ford, and Unforgiven (1992) by Clint Eastwood, the different styles and the iconography of American Western are portrayed. Though each of these movies may have completely different plots, setting, conflicts, and style, all three movies can be considered to be part of the Western genre because of the common theme they produce, the tradition of the genre, and the classic iconography that is portrayed by the directors.
Set in a small town, High Noon is based on a sheriff that feels like it’s his duty to protect his town from criminals. Will Kane, played by Gary Cooper, was a sheriff that had just gotten married and decided to turn in his badge and move elsewhere with his new wife Amy Fowler. However, he learns that several outlaws were awaiting Frank Miller on the noon train, a man that wanted to kill him because he wanted revenge. Scared by the fact that he and his wife would be chased by these men and his town would be in danger, Will Kane decides to head back to town and gather as many men to help him take down these criminals. However, Kane soon realizes that no one is willing to help him as the time the train is arriving is slowly approaching. In the end, Kane has to take out the four criminals himself. In this film, the setting and repetition of some objects sets the tone and iconography of this film. High Noon is set in a classical Western town of that era. However, there are a few elements that