2. Lacey’s Repertoire of Elements
• Setting
• Narrative
• Iconography
• Characters
• Style
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
