Topic > Critical analysis of the western genre films 'Stagecoach' and 'Unforgiven'

Two western films 'Stagecoach' and 'Unforgiven' are synonymous and opposite of western genre films. Stagecoach shows an optimistic community and hopeful people, the brighter side of the western. On the other hand, Unforgiven shows agony and atonement for one's sin. Both films met audience expectations and created the era of Western cinema. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay First of all, Stagecoach has many typical western characteristics such as an outlaw, cowboy, alcohol, and a cynical point of view towards civilization. Surviving attacks by the native Indians and the action of weapons through desserts make the film a more conventional western film. Additionally, Native Americans are seen as primitive, barbaric villains who focus more on actions rather than dialogue. Furthermore, its backdrop, Monument Valley, is one of the Western generic formulas that diffuse Western geography, showing its vast scenery. The film is in black and white, and this makes the film seem unsophisticated and less technicolor. The film mainly uses close-ups to focus on facial expression, occasionally to show emotions such as pain, etc. The film has no intricately edited scenes that were added intentionally. Furthermore, romance enhances the plots of the film and makes it almost hybrid between genres, interaction between romance and western and expresses more values. Stagecoach conveys a message of frontier spirit through the film and shows that the characters learn from each other through their journey and grow. On the other hand, Unforgiven may be more descriptive towards emotions than other western films. Of course, some of Unforgiven's designs and settings are common in the Western, such as the Wyoming background and the cowboys. In addition to these characteristics, the film is not a typical western film. The film does not focus on chase scenes, horseback riding or gunfire. No love story and no hero. Although the film has some Western characteristics, the film focuses more on William's self-examination as an agony. Unlike the traditional western, William suffers from a guilty conscience. The film shows him suffering from the murder and his guilt. This type of self-criticism is also not very Western. Also, the use of the gun is different in the film. William doesn't show off his gun skills like the classic western. Unlike the classic western, William is reluctant to kill. He doesn't admire firefights. 'Unforgiven' does not follow the generic formulas of the western genre film. If the generic western formula had been applied, William would have killed everyone mercilessly or won love. Unforgiven could be an example of a subgenre that defines a very specific version of the Western genre with a distinguishable character and reflection of a social ritual. The film uses long shots to show the landscape and create an aesthetic atmosphere of riding horses with sunsets. For example, the long shots of Bill's house at the beginning and end of the film. Furthermore, the cut where Will enters Big Whiskey and raises his gun, showing each character and the transition from one dialogue to another create great tension. This is also not the typical Western type of editing. Furthermore, the music in the film's ending is also non-Western. The sound of the guitar at the end and the setting sun do not conclude an epic but lonely western hero. Both films also have some similarities. Both focus a lot on showing the beauty of nature and landscapes in films. Both.