BE Unforgiven

Unforgiven, the 1992 film produced by Clint Eastwood dramatically changed the Western film’s genre traditions. Society’s passion to prosper and progress made way for the new “revisionist” Western films. This film is a perfect example of the way cultural changes brought about a different view of the alpha male cowboy and the Western films genre.
The film’s obvious change in view of the alpha-male cowboy was caused from the continued efforts to promote racial equality. The character of Ned Logan embodies what the producers and directors wanted to convey to their audience. Logan, as an African American male, is as capable as any other alpha-male cowboy. Will, the other alpha-male cowboy, and Ned Logan develop a relationship throughout the film that is based nothing about race. Logan’s character is as skillful in shooting as Will and shows loyalty to his fellow alpha-male. Unforgiven, conveys minorities in a strong, capable and important role: something atypical of a Western film.
Will Munny is another example of how the “revisionist” Westerns has changed the view of the alpha-male cowboy. He is an older, slower, and less capable version of the traditional alpha-male. Munny, unlike the rest of the alpha-male cowboys, has become domesticated and left his days roaming the dessert. Munny has settled down with a family and owns a farm as a living. Munny inexperience and distance from his old Western days show when his accuracy with the pistol is far from a sharp shooter. He also shows his differences when he does not indulge with prostitutes because of his marriage. It is not until the reward for catching the criminals do we see traditional values in Munny. His reason for the reward was the duty to provide his hid children and wife. The money received from the reward is given directly to supporting the family. Although at times traditional, Munny again shows “revisions” of the alpha-male character because he moves away with his family, once again choosing family over the gun.