How far do "High Noon" and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" fit the stereotypes of a traditional Western?.
Introduction.
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The two films "High Noon" and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" are classic films that are located in the Western genre. Principally Westerns are often located to the west of the Missouri and the Mississippi. The production of these two films span through a period of many years showing a change and progression in the style of filming. From examining the two films and with great reference to the key concepts I shall be able to establish what notions build a Western and analyse how effectively they are used within each of the two films. .
Typical Western.
A typical Western genre story takes place in the North American west in 1880`s. A traditional Western plot shows a group of bad guys trying to either rob something or destroy a town they are known as the outlaws. Where as the good guy saves the day after a big shoot out he is not in a group but is alone, he is normally the towns sheriff. The sheriff is clean-shaven, wears a hat and, rides on a white horse, he also wears a suit. The sheriff is easily recognized amongst people because of his attitude and good behaviour he always wears his badge. The sheriff is a married man and is normally married to a well-mannered woman for example a teacher. She wears a long dress and does not do a lot of makeup. The outlaws have scruffy beards, they drink and smoke, and also everyone is scared of them. The outlaws have a habit to gamble and to use their gun a lot. The outlaws are not married but may have girlfriend who do a lot of makeup and are normally whores or prostitutes. They have a lot of skin showing.
High Noon.
High Noon directed by Fred Zinnemann was produced in 1952 and tells the story of Miller, a renowned villain who was sentenced in the town of Hadleyville to a lifetime imprisonment in Texas. Much to the town's distress Miller is released and back with a vengeance and together with a group of other villains they return to Hadleyville to seek revenge on the town's sheriff.