1. Ryan Heaphy
History and Development of the Western Genre
The First western films were made in the early 19th century and they have been
increasingly popular. One of the first made was called “A Great Train Robbery” was
produced in 1903. They were popular in the “silent period” when we could not here the
characters talking. When the sound and vocals became more used in the films the genre
was made even more popular as Hollywood started to put a lot of money behind it.
Hollywood created a lot of low budget western films in the 1930’s. By the late 30’s Western
were seen as the most popular genre. A lot of the western genre films were very similar and
the audience knew what to expect. For example they all had very similar character such as
cowboys, gunlingers and bounty hunters and once we knew which one they were it gives us
a good of what the character is like.
The genre was also given a boost in popularity by John Ford’s landmark western
adventure Stagecoach which was made in 1939 this was the first of the John Wayne films. In
the 1940’s and 50’s the western genre was emphasized with its values to make it more
interesting they added more sacrifice and honour. Western from the 1960’s and 1970’s had
a different way about them. They were made with characters where the bad guy was the
main character and there more brutality to make different to other westerns so they can
regain popularity.
There are different types of westerns. One of the main types is Spaggetti Westerns.
They are called this as they were produced and directed by Italians. These where very
popular as they were seen to have more action in than classic westerns which attracted
more viewers. Western have also developed in the way the technology has which allow for
bigger more realistic sets and better special effects from the guns and when people are shot
which all adds up to a better viewing experience for the watcher.
The production of westerns have really slowed down as there are now as many
people interested in the genre anymore. I feel with the help of technologic advances such as
blu-ray and the western films being re-released in high definition it could help the western
genre have a come back.
Here is a picture of a Western Film
set in Hollywood