PS "Unforgiven"

The film Unforgiven changes the view of the west through the idea of revisionism. Revisionism is a change of the past based on new ideas and standards. Revisionism is mostly reflected through the characters Munny and Ned. Munny and Ned are long time friends and partners who are not the typical alpha males we are used to in westerns.


Munny is not the alpha male someone envisions when they think of one in a western. Munny is an older man who has given up his old gun fighting ways to care for his family and settle down. Munny now has a farm and does not think about getting back to his old ways until he hears of a reward for getting the criminals. Munny is not good with a pistol as seen when he tries to shoot a can, but when he gets his rifle he hits it in one shot. Munny looks upon his old friend and partner for help. Munny’s age and rust from being away from his old life shows as he struggles getting on his horse. Munny makes sure his children are ok and sets off. Munny stays away from the tradition view of the cowboy when he does not take part in getting with prostitutes because he gave that up long ago when he married his wife. Munny following this admirable characteristic is beaten soon after. This is something that is unheard of for the alpha male in the past to be beaten. In a gun fight it takes Munny a few shots to hit his target. The man he hit is dying and Munny tells the other men to get him a drink and promises not to shoot. He keeps his promise, but soon after he learns Ned has been killed. It is not until this point do we see the old Munny and the old ways of the alpha male cowboy come out. Munny in revenge of his friend begins to drink and goes off killing many men quickly before they can even get a shot off. He makes sure the reward money goes straight to his children instead of keeping it for himself. Munny moves himself and children away so they can begin a new life and get away from the negative.


Ned is an African American, but this is never seen as a negative once in the film. Ned is respected by his white friend Munny. They have been partners for a long time and Ned does have his own set of valuable skills with a gun. When Munny looks to go on this mission he immediately turns to his old partner and friend. Race does not come between them. Ned has come a long way from killing a man as seen when he chooses not to kill a man when he has the opportunity to do so. What is even worse for Ned is that after making that decision not to kill the man and wanting to return home, he is captured, beaten, and killed. This is not done because of race as this same tactic was used on Munny before and other men. Ned’s death allows Munny to return to his old way of doing things, the typical western way of living.