Beginning in the late 1960s and continuing into the 1900s a period of revisionism began in western film. Revisionism is the change to a long standing view on a particular topic, theory, doctrine, etc. With regard to revisionism in westerns it was the shift away from traditional western film where the alpha-male was the central and leading character, often roaming the western landscape alone looking to fulfill some sort of duty. In the revisionist western the alpha-male still has a central role but women and even some minorities began to take on a stronger role. These films still focus on the lawlessness that occurs during the time, but often times there are some characters who are trying to bring rules and order to the town. The film The Unforgiven is a revisionist film made in 1992 that used violence to bring out a new view on the alpha-male.
The alpha-male in The Unforgiven is Will Munny, who used to be a very vicious gunfighter who would kill anyone in his way including women and children. But once he got married he gave up his ways for his wife and family. He settled down on a hog farm, had two children, and gave up drinking and his vicious ways. Will for a majority of the film was a “reformed” alpha-male because even after his wife’s death he still continued to try and live the lifestyle she wanted him too. When he first goes into Big Whiskey with Ned and the Scofield Kid he refuses to go up and do anything with the prostitutes and refused to even take a shot of whiskey. In the beginning he isn’t as sharp at doing things that would normally come very easy to the alpha-male. He struggles getting on a horse and his gunshot is not as accurate as before, but this is all because he had changed his ways for so long. It isn’t till the end of the film that he goes back to his old ways. Will turns back to drinking and his brutal ways when he finds out that Little Bill killed his partner Ned. Similar to the traditional alpha-male Will is acting out of revenge, but typically the alpha-male cowboy has not been displayed as this violent.
Another piece of this film which shows its steps in revisionism is the character Ned Logan. Ned is Will’s former partner in crime and they are brought back together when they go off in search of the two men who attacked the women in Big Whiskey. His role in the film could also be viewed as the sidekick; however what makes his character so interesting when looking at revisionism in westerns is that he is African American. Up until this point African Americans never really played much of a role in western films and when they did they were often insignificant characters, such as servants. Ned is very good with his gun and proves to be a very loyal companion (sidekick) when he refuses to give up Will and the Scofield Kid’s location. Little Bill was whipping him which eventually led to his death. Ned sacrificed himself to protect his partner and long time friend.
Will Munny and Ned Logan display the changes that were taking place in westerns. Will was a reformed alpha-male for a majority of the movie and Ned was a minority who was finally stepping out of the role as an “other.” Women in the film were not treated with very much respect, instead viewed only as whores in the town. Little Bill refused to accept any other law than his own. At one point beating English Bob because he was trying to bring English law into the town. All of these things brought about the dark characteristics of revisionist films and in this film a new view on violence is taken.
Beginning in the late 1960s and continuing into the 1990s a period of revisionism began in western film. Revisionism is the change to a long standing view on a particular topic, theory, doctrine, etc. Revisionist westerns are films that shift away from the typical traditional western. In traditional westerns the alpha-male is the central and leading character, often roaming the western landscape alone looking to fulfill some sort of duty. In the revisionist western the alpha-male still has a central role but women and even some minorities began to take on a stronger role. The films still focus on the lawlessness that occurs during the time, but often times there are some characters who are trying to bring rule and order to the town. The film The Unforgiven is a revisionist film made in 1992 that used violence as a way to bring out a new view on the alpha-male.
ReplyDeleteThe alpha-male in The Unforgiven is Will Munny, who used to be a very vicious gunfighter that would kill anyone in his way, including women and children. Once he gets married he gives up his old ways for his wife and family. He settles down on a hog farm, has two children, and gives up drinking and his vicious ways. Will for a majority of the film was a “reformed” alpha-male because even after his wife’s death he still continued to try and live the lifestyle she wanted him too. When he first goes into Big Whiskey with Ned and the Scofield Kid he refuses to go up and do anything with the prostitutes and refused to even take a shot of whiskey. In the beginning he isn’t as sharp at doing things that would normally come very easy to the alpha-male. He struggles getting on a horse and his gunshot is not as accurate as it was before, but this is all because he had changed his ways for so long. It isn’t till the end of the film that he goes back to his old ways. Will turns back to drinking and his brutal ways when he finds out that Little Bill killed his partner Ned. Similar to the traditional alpha-male Will is acting out of revenge, but typically the alpha-male cowboy has not been displayed as this violent.
Another piece of this film which shows its steps in revisionism is the character Ned Logan. Ned is Will’s former partner in crime and they are brought back together when they go off in search of the two men who attacked the women in Big Whiskey. His role in the film could also be viewed as the sidekick; however what makes his character so interesting when looking at revisionism in westerns is that he is African American. Up until this point African Americans never really played much of a role in western films and when they did they were often insignificant characters, such as servants. Ned is very good with his gun and proves to be a very loyal companion (sidekick) when he refuses to give up Will and the Scofield Kid’s location. Little Bill was whipping him which eventually led to his death. Ned sacrificed himself to protect his partner and long time friend.
Will Munny and Ned Logan display the changes that were taking place in westerns. Will was a reformed alpha-male for a majority of the movie and Ned was a minority who was finally stepping out of the role as an “other.” Women in the film were not treated with very much respect, instead viewed only as whores in the town. Little Bill refused to accept any other law than his own. At one point beating English Bob because he was trying to bring English law into the town. All of these things brought about the dark characteristics of revisionist films and in this film a new view on violence is taken.