The document discusses the history and evolution of the action genre from the 1920s to present day. It outlines the major subgenres that defined different eras, such as swashbuckling films in the 1920s-1930s, war and western films in the 1940s-1950s, spy films in the 1960s-1970s, adventure films in the 1980s-1990s, and the rise of science fiction and superhero films today. Across the decades, the action genre shifted themes, increased budgets, and came to be dominated by Hollywood blockbusters and notable actors like Douglas Fairbanks, John Wayne, Roger Moore, and Harrison Ford.

1. Research into the Action
genre
SUBGENRE: CRIME

2. Action
 Action is a genre which typically involves the protagonist becoming
opposed to a number of challenges usually consisting of violence and
physical feats.
 Typical genre conventions allude to the protagonist being against
unmeasurable odds.

3. Crime Action
 This subgenre would contain the genre conventions of a typical action film
however the narrative would involve features of a crime.
 Protagonists and antagonists would usually be the police or some form of
authority alongside people choosing to oppose the laws of the world in
which the story is set.

4. The history of the action genre
1920s and1930s
The genre would typically consist of sword fighting and more historical
forms of stories that include a hero and damsel in distress.
Usually, they would be set in renaissance west Europe.
Films that typically involve this include:
 The mark of Zorro (1920)
 The Three musketeers (1921)
 The black pirate (1926)
Douglas Fairbanks
Notable actor for
swashbuckling
during the 1920s.

5. The history of the action genre
1940s and 1950s
During this period, the subgenre of war and cowboy films become most
prevalent. Battles would convey naval, air or land action related to warfare
and the cowboy films would convey typical close combat. Regarding cowboy
films, the setting would usually be in a desert with over exposed lighting and
washed out colours. Yet, war films would be set in war torn countries.
Films that typically involve this include:
 Rivers end (1940)
 Rio Grande (1950)
 The Searchers (1956)
John Wayne
Notable actor for
gun slinging during
the 1950s.

6. The history of the action genre
1960s and 1970s
Inside this era, the action genre would shift into a new subgenre of spy adventure. James
bond became the popular figurehead to drive forward the popularity of the genre and
the immeasurable odds would usually come in the form of a villainous plot that would
threaten the world. As a result, the protagonist would become a ‘one man army’ and
effectively use everything at their disposal to dispose of the villain and their plans. In
addition, car chases became the revolutionary way to convey suspense along with close
combat and other creative solutions.
Films that typically involve this include:
 Live and let die (1972)
 The spy who loved me (1977)
 Dr No (1962)
Roger Moore
Notable actor for
spying during the
1970s.

7. The history of the action genre
1980s and 1990s
These times mainly consisted of the summer blockbuster becoming
more prominent and providing increased fame to the predominantly
alpha male action hero's. Subgenres primarily consisted of adventure.
The budgets of action films were increasing exponentially as a result
therefore allowing higher production value which led to larger
audiences.
Films that typically involve this include:
 Die Hard (1988)
 Raiders of the lost ark (1981)
 Speed (1994)
Harrison Ford
Notable actor for
adventure during
the 1980s.

8. The history of the action genre
2000s to present
The genre leans more towards explosive action nowadays with
adventures still maintaining their primary status alongside science
fiction however Hollywood now plays a much larger role in the
reputation of the genre and consumes most of the distribution for the
films. The superhero subgenre has become increasingly popular as
well.
Films that typically involve this include:
 X-Men (2000)
 Hancock (2008)
 The Avengers (2012)
Robert Downey Jr
Notable actor for
reclaiming the
superhero genre