Genre: Western

Once a week a few of us gather to watch a film. Our first series in the Spring consisted of four or five films regarding The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Since May, we entered into a genre that none of us had any real experience with, pre-Unforgiven/Tombstone/Young Guns - The Western. One thing we have learned/observed is the basic formula of storytelling and filmmaking that has overtly influenced foreign directors such a Akira Kurosawa, and also provided the essential framework for all-time classics like Lucas's Star Wars, Spielberg's Indiana Jones, and all too many watered down Chuck Norris style movies and TV series (including "24" - ever seen "High Noon"?).

Few directors, however, like Kurosawa or Francis Ford Coppola, have been able to transcend the basic problem/solution storyline (law vs. bandit or cowboy vs. indian), for a more post-modern clusterfuck of real humanity - philosophically, emotionally, theologically, etc. As obvious of an influence as John Ford had on Akira Kurosawa - there were also huge influences from Leo Tolstoy and William Shakespeare, if not direct adaptations - which were always controversial in Japanese Cinema.

For two and a half months, we have remained in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. Our series will culminate in four of Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Western classics, which also moves us into the era of Clint Eastwood, and out of the John Wayne era (Thank God!). We will first watch the Eastwood trilogy, ending with "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" - then ultimately finish with Leone's beloved "Once Upon a Time in the West".

There have been four films which I found to be tightly woven, highly entertaining, sometimes fascinating, very engaging, usually racist, and definitely worth watching a second time.

Stagecoach (1939) - Great cast of diverse characters. Very enjoyable. The film that moved John Wayne from a B-film actor, to a Hollywood star. Also the film that established the new structure/formula for genre filmmaking, that I previously mentioned. Apache Indians were cast as terrorists.




The Ox-Bow Incident (1943) - Intense and to the point. Only 75 minutes long. I loved the preacher. The lynch mob did not like the Mexican (if these films don't have Indians to be racist against, they are always replaced with no-good Mexicans). Also, if the terrorists (indians or mexicans) have a speakin' part in the film, the are usually cast to a white guy (which was the case here).




My Darling Clementine (1946) - Probably my favorite of the early Westerns. The first film I had seen with Henry Fonda. Good actor (especially opposed to John Wayne), and chooses solid roles. Very impressive. Here, he plays Wyatt Earp (which was more or less ripped off, later, by Kurt Russell). The character of Doc Holliday is also well played (though later improved by Val Kilmer). I was impressed with some of the darker camera shots, and the laid back feel of the film. If I remember right, there was a scene in the beginning of the film, when an Indian gets kicked outta town. They push him down and say "get outta here Indian!". WTF?




High Noon (1952) - A film worth reading about on Wikipedia. Includes some subversive symbolism against McCarthyism and blacklisting. On the surface, however, it is everything that defines "Western". But it is more than that, too. It takes place in real time (very tense - clocks are everywhere!) - it has a hero, who marries a conflicted pacifist Quaker - it has outstanding dialogue - and it has phenomenal camera work. Some of the best camera shots I've seen, in general. More than that...there is a beautiful Mexican Woman (I do declare!), who is a business owner, rather than a bitch whore or a bandit terrorist (can you believe it?!?!).

When I asked my 85 year old grandmother if she appreciated any old Westerns, she immediately replied "High Noon".

Also, interestingly, Howard Hawks and John Wayne responded to this film (they didn't like it, apparently) with their own "Rio Bravo". Lots of people like it, but as you can see, it did not make my list.

High Noon...