The Book of Westerns
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Author Description
The Book of Westerns concentrates on the period between 1939 and the present day, looking at the Western from a wide variety of perspectives and providing in-depth critical analysis of many notable movies up to Tombstone (1993) and Wyatt Earp (1994). The coverage includes such celebrated works as George Stevens's Shane with Alan Ladd as the archetypal solitary Western hero, Nicholas Ray's Johnny Guitar where the combatants in the final gunfight are Joan Crawford and Mercedes McCambridge, and King Vidor's Duel in the Sun with its orgasmic climax when Gregory Peck and Jennifer Jones shoot each other down and then claw their way toward a dying embrace. The text, mainly written by film critics and academics associated with Movie magazine, is aimed at the informed filmgoer as well as the film student and is illustrated throughout with stills that capture the flavor of the Western.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book offers a critical examination of the Western film genre from its mid-20th-century peak to the 1990s. It delves into a wide array of notable films, analyzing them from diverse critical and academic perspectives. The text, authored by film critics and academics, aims to engage both the seasoned filmgoer and the dedicated student of cinema. Numerous stills are included to visually evoke the distinct atmosphere of the Western.
THE SCOPE MAP
- Analysis of Western films from 1939 to the present day (up to 1994)
- In-depth critical analysis of specific films such as Shane, Johnny Guitar, and Duel in the Sun
- Exploration of the Western genre from multiple academic and critical viewpoints
- Focus on iconic Western heroes and their archetypal representations
- Discussion of significant cinematic moments and climaxes within Westerns
- Contributions from film critics and academics associated with Movie magazine
- Illustrated throughout with film stills capturing the genre's flavor
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
This work is positioned as a scholarly and informed analysis of the Western genre, intended for readers with a serious interest in film. Its focus on critical perspectives and specific film examples suggests a text that prioritizes academic rigor and detailed examination over broad accessibility. The inclusion of film stills indicates an effort to visually complement the textual analysis, appealing to those who appreciate the aesthetic as well as the thematic elements of cinema.
Page Count:
320
Publication Date:
1996-01-01
ISBN-10:
0826408184
History
Western
Non-Fiction
Film Studies
Westerns
Cultural History
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