Westerns have been around for nearly a century. These films captivate a wide range of movie goers thanks to their simple format and highly entertaining action. Their elements are deeply embedded in our culture. In today’s world, even commercials and games like Red Dead Redemption or Wild Bounty Showdown make use of them.
In this article, you will learn more about the evolution of Westerns in cinema and what makes these films so successful.
Core Elements of Westerns
The Western genre appeared in the early 20th century and was inspired by silent films such as The Great Train Robbery (1903). Its core elements were quickly established: outlaws, conflict, moral choices and lessons, guns, rugged landscapes, and so on.
Western films are action-driven but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a psychological element. Characters are often faced with adversity and difficult decisions that reveal their deep character. How they make those decisions makes the audience perceive them as protagonists or villains.
First Big Westerns
During the 1930s and 1940s, actors like John Wayne and directors like John Ford explored and cemented the Western genre. Films like Stagecoach (1939) and My Darling Clementine (1946) portrayed the Old West in a romantic way, utilizing a clear duality between the good guys and the bad guys.
The protagonist was often a lone gunman or a sheriff. He embodied qualities like justice and courage. The antagonists, usually bandits, portrayed savagery and chaos.
The narratives were simple and full of powerful lessons, emphasizing America as the land of opportunity.
The Golden Age
The Golden Age of the Western genre started in the 1950s. By then, Westerns had reached tremendous popularity and had matured. New films were making excellent use of all the established elements and finding new ways to thrill and educate people.
Technicolor innovations brought vast landscapes to life and heroic narratives started to be mixed with more nuanced storytelling techniques. Films like Shane (1953) and The Searchers (1956) were among the most popular in the 1950s.
Some Westerns, such as John Ford’s The Searchers, explored themes like racism, revenge, and alienation. This was a bold move at the time because it made the film depart and even contradict the idealized version of the Western.
Another film that gave audiences something to think about was High Noon (1952). It examined the concept of personal responsibility and showed the impact of societal cowardice. For the first time, moral ambiguity was being utilized in order to address the ills of contemporary society.
The Revisionist Western
The idealistic version of the early Western was broken in the 1960s and 1970s. Films that date back to this period deconstructed the myths of the Old West, presenting a more realistic image of frontier life.
Famous directors like Sergio Leone created highly complex characters that continue to be studied to this day. In his Dollars Trilogy, he introduced the spaghetti Western subgenre, which is characterized by its stark visuals, moral ambiguity, and haunting scores.
Clint Eastwood’s Man with No Name became a legendary figure and stood out from the clean-cut heroes of older Westerns. His motivations were not as clear and his personality had an element of mystery to it.
The Wild Bunch (1969) took Western violence to a whole new level and tackled themes like aging, and loyalty. Films like this reflected to some extent the changes that were happening in society. They were mirrors of social disillusionment with authority figures and traditional values.
Modern Westerns
Modern Westerns focus on themes like survival, opportunism, existentialism, and the harsh realities of life. They incorporate concerns for the environment, social inequality, and the erosion of old moral standards.
The Coen Brothers’ No Country for Old Men (2007) doesn’t feel like an old-school Western at all. But it still fits the genre in a unique way. Its violence, mixed with a bit of horror and an antagonist that cannot be deciphered, has made it a huge success.
You might call this movie a neo-Western thriller that explores concepts like fate, morality and, as the title suggests, the impact of major societal changes.
Meanwhile, films like True Grit (2010) revisit the classic Western narrative using a somber and more reflective lens.
Conclusion
The Western has broad appeal and has fascinated audiences for a century. While the genre’s transformation has been significant, we can still recognize its core elements and enjoy its unique artistic cocktail.