JM "Unforgiven"

Western films went through a revisionist period that was based on the change in cultural values and beliefs, and these changes affected the classic views and expectations of the alpha male cowboy. New western films began to move away from traditions that were previously associated with the alpha male, and began to set a new standard to hold them to. These changes in the expectations of the alpha male influenced the way in which alpha males treated issues such as race, gender, and even changed the characteristics of the alpha males. The 1992 film Unforgiven is a good example of how these changes affected both the alpha male also his role in the film.

In Unforgiven one of the first revisionist changes that can be seen is the presence of Ned Logan, who is William Munny’s sidekick. While normally African American males are classified in the role as an “other”, Ned Logan played by Morgan Freeman, breaks the stereotype that African Americans cannot hold important roles in western films. Ned Logan’s role is influential beyond just his role as a cowboy, and extends to the fact that he is both treated as an equal by Munny, and is a landowner, something that is not typical of western films. Logan can be considered as being an equal to Munny because of the effectiveness that his presence has in containing the consuming typical traits of an alpha male in Munny. The relationship between the two characters is one of mutual respect and gratitude for one another’s company, and truly shows the cultural changes in the views on race. Logan is later killed in the film, and it is at this point that we see Munny resort to the classic violence and isolation that is typical of the alpha male.

The revisionist period also did much to redefine the alpha male’s role in terms of the traits that were characteristic of the typical male image. In older westerns the alpha male is very clearly isolated from society and acts impulsively relying on his gun in order to accomplish his own personal definition of justice. In Unforgiven, Munny can neither mount his horse with ease, nor can he hold his gun steady, which is very uncharacteristic of an alpha male. Furthermore, while Logan is living, Munny seems to gravitate toward his company rather that isolates himself from other characters in an attempt to maintain his silence. Although these changes in Munny are not permanent, they clearly point to a redefined image of what the ideal alpha male should be like.