I have never been a very big, die-hard fan of Westerns as some people have. I just don't understand their mentality about the movies. Each Western follows practically the same pattern, involves a bunch of guys wearing silly pants shooting each other without mercy, and has some form of sex- and alcohol-drive aspect to the plot. These aren't the most upstanding morals, I think many people can agree. So then why are they such a big part of American culture? Sure, pretty much all Westerns have been made by Americans, but why would Americans want to label themselves with that kind of name?
This is something I ask because I don't understand it. Apparently movies about guys acting like unforgiving, disrespectful dim-wits (to put it in a less politically-correct way) are enjoyable to watch? Help me understand.
2 comments:
During the time most of the Westerns were produced most of the characteristics of the Western heroes were actually what the average American wished he could be. The appeal is in being self sufficient and in the right. It is sort of like the James Bond movies we have now. Everyone thinks they want to be able to take down hundreds of people without breaking a sweat when they see the movies. In reality, people won't ever have a chance to do this, but the possibility appeals enough to Americans that they will go see the movie.
fantastic post sarah! you have raised questions that i ask myself. i admit i'm not much of a western fan either (although after learning/viewing some i do think i can tolerate them more) but as for your prompt. i have to agree with johanna. to us now it seems weird that a hero would be seen as some dude riding around on a horse killing all these even more weird/drunk people but is it really that much different from what we see today? at the time westerns were popular everyone wanted to be able to be like them and save the day, and now (as johanna said) we feel the same way just with different characters. the question you asked is totally legit though and hopefully you'll get somewhat of an answer! (p.s. you rock!)
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