J.O. Unforgiven

A revisionist, as defined on dictionary.com, is “any advocate of doctrines, theories, or practices that depart from established authority or doctrine.” Based on this definition, Unforgiven, a 1992 film directed by Clint Eastwood, can be described as a revisionist Western because of its movement away from traditions and practices usually held in classical Westerns. For the most part, a black man plays a major role in this film, rather than the typical role of being in the background. Unlike classical Westerns where blacks are mainly considered to be “the other”, in this film Morgan Freeman plays the assistant to the alpha male cowboy. His character, Ned Logan, is a great shot and displays many of the qualities portrayed in the alpha male cowboy. Further, Ned owns his own ranch, which is very remarkable for a black man in this genre of film. The fact that a black man plays a major role in this Western film and is independent portrays that the times are changing and that black people are moving up in terms of equality. Contrasting from classic Westerns, Unforgiven moves away from the practice of blacks mainly having the role of “the other”; the film gives them a more equal chance in sharing the spotlight next to the alpha male cowboy.

Moreover, the film also gives a new perception of the alpha male cowboy. In the film, William Munny, the alpha male cowboy, does not exactly meet the criteria associated with his title. Near the beginning of the film, Munny cannot aim well with his pistol, the most deadly tool associated with the alpha male cowboy. Munny also misses twice when attempting to shoot the cowboy crawling on the floor to get to cover. Additionally, Munny is conquered by the land: he is inflicted with a fever that leaves him dormant for three days. Alpha male cowboys usually are able to survive the conditions of the harsh land and weather and come out without a scratch; they are supposed to be invulnerable. William Munny in the earlier stages of the film has lost the connection to his past alpha male cowboy nature, and is depicted as a weak and struggling old man. Even The Schofield Kid addresses Munny’s state, telling Ned that Munny is useless and the two of them should continue the job without him. However, when Ned was killed, Munny reconnected with his alpha male cowboy self and became the deadly weapon he used to be. He was able to kill an entire room of people looking to kill him, including Little Bill. His tough and unrelenting nature returned and with it his character became more aligned with the standards associated with being an alpha male cowboy.

The film represents the nature of the alpha male cowboy as one that is only consistent with the duty associated to the alpha male cowboy. Usually depicted in other Westerns, the alpha male cowboy always has a duty and is able to act and perform the way he does in order to complete that duty. In Unforgiven, Munny at first is acting not for duty, but just to fulfill a contract and receive payments. While on this task, his prowess associated with him being an alpha male cowboy is not there. However, with the death of his best friend, a new duty to revenge his friend arises, and with the newly gained duty returns his abilities notable of an alpha male cowboy.