The Western Genre:
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Distinctive Features of a Classic Western:
What do viewers expect of a traditional film categorised within this genre?
For more detailed information look at the following document:
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Scene Two: Fighting the Indians
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Scene Three: Rescuing the Girl
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Evaluating The Classic Western Hero: Traditionally, the values that America endorsed were depicted in the archetypal cowboy. They inhabited a violent, unpredictable, beautiful and exciting world. Even though the stories or narratives are barely believable to audiences, they are immensely popular and appeal to our love (need?) for good prevailing over evil. A traditional Cowboy is: •Masculine •Principled •Courageous •Tough •Stoic •Self-sufficient or self- sacrificing •A Maverick •Stands alone to face danger •Has expert skills •Independent •Fearless •Cynical •Uses the wild and untamed landscape as justification for violence, killing and breaking the law Comparing to a Different Context: As a nation, America still sources its own identity in the Western and the context that created it. Many of the values above are still celebrated as national values. There is a national preoccupation with progress, future, optimism, opportunity, determination and ambition. These values were the selling point for the recent American Presidential campaign. Donald Trump is all about selling this message of prosperity! In the Australian context, the bushman, bushranger, swagman, or stockmen in texts such as ‘The Man from Snowy River’, depict a similarly male-dominated arena. A rite of passage might depict a physical test associated with the environment or initiation into a violent or combative world. Women are rarely included in the action – they are relegated to the domestic realm, they require protection and the intervention of the male as saviour. Telling these stories is fundamental to enculturing men in our society. Typically, a cowboy is mysterious and internal, he acts strategically and alone. He rarely expresses personal emotion or concerns. This has had important impact upon the construct of masculinity in our society. You could say that this particular genre is highly masculinised. |
Traditional vs. Altered Western Film For the following ‘Spaghetti’ Western clip, take note of what you notice is similar and/or different about: •The Cowboy- Speech, action, appearance &other •The Landscape/setting •The Villains – speech, action, appearance & other •The music – does it develop suspense •The camera shots/angles |
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The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966) Traditional vs. Altered Western Film For the following ‘Spaghetti’ Western clip, take note of what you notice is similar and/or different about: •The Cowboy- Speech, action, appearance &other •The Landscape/setting •The Villains – speech, action, appearance & other •The music – does it develop suspense •The camera shots/angles |
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The Neo- Western: Gran Torino (2008) directed by Clint Eastwood.
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text_revision_template_the_western_genre.docx | |
File Size: | 134 kb |
File Type: | docx |
gran_torino_-_booklet[1]_2.docx | |
File Size: | 1635 kb |
File Type: | docx |
gran_torino_directed_by_clint_eastwood.docx | |
File Size: | 129 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Scene One: The Gang and the Urban Landscape
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Scene Two: Get off my Lawn
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Scene Three: Facing another 'gang'
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Scene Four: Being a Man
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The Revenant (2015)
Study Points:
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The Missing (2003)
Study Points:
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The Homesman (2014)
Study Points:
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Pocahontas (1995)
Study Points:
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