Western Genre

Lacey’s Repertoire of Elements

• Setting• Narrative• Iconography• Characters• Style

Setting

• Western films generally are set around the late 1800’s, early 1900’s.

• Typically set in American Old West in a dusty lonely desert.

• Remote towns with saloons or bars are common.

Narrative• They are often set around themes such as:• East vs. West• Culture vs. Nature• Community vs. Individuality• Settlers vs. Indians• Train vs. Horse

• The narrative also usually focuses around revenge, defense, rescue or honour and reputation and involves gunfights and horse or train chases.

Iconography

• In western films we typically expect to see cowboy hats, guns, horses, dusty lonely roads, sheriff badges, jails etc.

• The landscape is made up of deserts, mountains, rivers and valleys.

• Towns are made up of old wooden, traditional buildings.

Characters

• The main character of a western film is usually the hero and, like most of the characters, is a cowboy.

• They are often a person from outside the community and are driven by justice or revenge.

• Villains and Sheriffs also appear frequently in western films, but not usually as the main character.

• Predominantly male characters.

Style

• Western films have a yellowy, orange look to them, known as a sepia effect.

• They also use many close ups of people and objects, especially in gun fight scenes. For example, close ups of the characters eyes and guns may be used.

• Low angle shots are common as well to show a characters status and authority.