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Essay / Critical Analysis of Western Genre Films “Stagecoach” and “Unforgiven”
Two Western Films “Stagecoach” and “Unforgiven” are synonyms and antonyms of Western genre films. Stagecoach shows an optimistic community and hopeful people, the brighter side of the western. On the other hand, Unforgiven shows the agony and atonement of one's sin. Both films met audience expectations and created the era of the western. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay First of all, Stagecoach has many typical Western characteristics such as an outlaw, cowboys, alcohol, and a cynical view towards civilization. Surviving attacks by native Indians and gun action in desserts make the film a more conventional western. Additionally, Native Americans are seen as primitive and barbaric villains who focus more on actions than dialogues. Furthermore, its background, Monument Valley, is one of the generic Western formulas that illustrate Western geography, showing its vast landscapes. The film is in black and white, which makes the film seem unsophisticated and less technicolor. The film mainly uses close-ups to occasionally focus on facial expression to show emotions like pain etc. The film does not contain any complicated scenes that have been edited. intentionally added. Furthermore, romance enhances the film's plots and makes them almost hybrid genres, an interaction between romance and western and expresses more values. Stagecoach gives a message of frontier spirit through the film and shows that the characters learn from each other throughout their journey and grow. On the other hand, Unforgiven might be more descriptive of emotions than other Western films. Of course, some of Unforgiven's designs and settings are common in the western, such as its Wyoming and cowboy backdrop. Besides these characteristics, the film is not a typical western. The film does not focus on chase scenes, horse riding or gun shooting. No romance and no heroes. Although the film has some Western features, the film focuses more on William's agony-like self-examination. Unlike the traditional western, William suffers from a guilty conscience. The film shows him suffering from the murder and his guilt. This kind of self-criticism is not very Western either. Additionally, the use of guns is different in the film. William doesn't show off his gun skills like the classic western. Unlike the classic western, William hesitates to kill. He doesn't admire gunfights. “Unforgiven” does not follow the generic western genre film formulas. If the generic western formula had been applied, William would have either mercilessly killed everyone or won love. Unforgiven could be an example of a subgenre that defines a very specific version of the western genre with distinctiveness and reflection of social ritual. The film uses long shots to show the landscape and create an aesthetic atmosphere of horseback riding with sunsets. For example, long shots of Bill's house at the beginning and end of the film. Additionally, the cut when Will walks into Big Whiskey and raises his shotgun, showing each character and switching between dialogue creates great tension. It's also not the typical Western type of montage. Additionally, the music at the end of the film is not Western either. The sound of the guitar at the end and the setting sun do not conclude an epic western hero but.