You gonnaYou gonna’’ take me? Youtake me? You’’ll need a ll need a fu*#ing army if you gonnafu*#ing army if you gonna’’ take me!take me!

Gangster and Western GenreGangster and Western GenreFilms for Public LibrariesFilms for Public Libraries

Presented by Charles BurkartPresented by Charles BurkartMedia BibliographerMedia Bibliographer

West Virginia UniversityWest Virginia Universitycburkart@wvu.educburkart@wvu.edu

History of Hollywood Gangster FilmsHistory of Hollywood Gangster Films

oo The dark side of the American Dream.The dark side of the American Dream.oo Illegal quest for wealth, fame, happiness.Illegal quest for wealth, fame, happiness.oo Gangsters born from Prohibition, the 18Gangsters born from Prohibition, the 18thth

Amendment and the banning of Alcohol.Amendment and the banning of Alcohol.oo Great Depression (1929Great Depression (1929--1945) made crime 1945) made crime and bootlegging a way out of poverty.and bootlegging a way out of poverty.oo Gangsters became romantic heroes in the Gangsters became romantic heroes in the popular imaginationpopular imaginationoo Hollywood drew on historical gangsters for Hollywood drew on historical gangsters for movie inspiration.movie inspiration.

Little Caesar (1930)Little Caesar (1930)Directed by Mervyn LeRoyDirected by Mervyn LeRoy

oo Based on Al Capone and Sam Based on Al Capone and Sam CardinellaCardinellaoo Rise and fall of Italian American Rise and fall of Italian American gangster Rico Bandellogangster Rico Bandellooo No ItalianNo Italian--Americans among theAmericans among thecast of Little Caesarcast of Little Caesaroo No mention of Mafia or Cosa NostraNo mention of Mafia or Cosa Nostraoo Start of Edward G. RobinsonStart of Edward G. Robinson’’s s gangster rolesgangster rolesoo Beginning of gangster cliches and Beginning of gangster cliches and stock characters, banquets, costly stock characters, banquets, costly funerals, final shootout, famous last funerals, final shootout, famous last words.words.

Public Enemy (1931)Public Enemy (1931)Directed by William WellmanDirected by William Wellman

oo IrishIrish--American Tom Powers rise from American Tom Powers rise from small town hoodlum to bootlegger small town hoodlum to bootlegger crime boss.crime boss.oo Made Jimmy Cagney a tough guy Made Jimmy Cagney a tough guy icon and popular movie star.icon and popular movie star.oo Uses unusual camera angles and Uses unusual camera angles and stylish Cinematography that influenced stylish Cinematography that influenced ““Film NoirFilm Noir”” gangster films of the forties gangster films of the forties and fifties.and fifties.oo Scenes have become cultural icons: Scenes have become cultural icons: grapefruit scene with Mae Clarke, grapefruit scene with Mae Clarke, CagneyCagney’’s shootout in the rain, Final s shootout in the rain, Final ““taken for a ridetaken for a ride”” scene. scene.

Scarface: Shame of a NationScarface: Shame of a Nation(1932)(1932)

Directed by Howard HawksDirected by Howard Hawks

oo Loosely based on career of Al Capone.Loosely based on career of Al Capone.oo Gangster, Tony Camonte seizes control of Gangster, Tony Camonte seizes control of the rackets by violence and intimidation only the rackets by violence and intimidation only to fall victim to an incestuous love for his to fall victim to an incestuous love for his sister. sister. oo Starred Paul Muni who was not Starred Paul Muni who was not subsequently typesubsequently type--castedcasted as a gangster.as a gangster.oo Scarface was thought to glamorize Scarface was thought to glamorize gangsters, which lead to the Hays Production gangsters, which lead to the Hays Production Code.Code.oo Was remake again in 1983 with Al Pacino Was remake again in 1983 with Al Pacino as Tony Montana. This film reached new as Tony Montana. This film reached new levels of violence and profanity.levels of violence and profanity.

Hays Production CodeHays Production Code

oo Was a set of Hollywood Industry Was a set of Hollywood Industry guidelines governing the production guidelines governing the production of motion pictures. of motion pictures. oo Was enacted to silence charges of Was enacted to silence charges of indecency in motion pictures.indecency in motion pictures.oo Put specific restrictions on nudity, Put specific restrictions on nudity, suggestive dancing, ridicule of suggestive dancing, ridicule of religion, illustration of methods of religion, illustration of methods of crime, references to sex perversion, crime, references to sex perversion, offensive language, and offensive language, and miscegenation.miscegenation.oo Hays code was abandoned in Hays code was abandoned in 1967.1967.

Angels with Dirty FacesAngels with Dirty Faces(1939)(1939)

Directed by Michael CurtizDirected by Michael Curtiz

oo HollywoodHollywood’’s reaction to the Hays s reaction to the Hays Production Code.Production Code.oo ““Cain and AbelCain and Abel”” gangster film.gangster film.oo Pat OPat O’’Brien plays Father Jerry Brien plays Father Jerry Connelly, Rocky SullivanConnelly, Rocky Sullivan’’s (Jimmy s (Jimmy Cagney) reformed boyhood friend whoCagney) reformed boyhood friend whomakes him redeem himself by saving makes him redeem himself by saving the troubled youth at the end of the the troubled youth at the end of the melodramamelodramaoo Movie must be made to show that Movie must be made to show that crime doesncrime doesn’’t payt payoo Appearance of the Appearance of the ““Dean End KidsDean End Kids””who later became the Bowery Boys.who later became the Bowery Boys.

Roaring Twenties (1939)Roaring Twenties (1939)Directed by Raoul WalshDirected by Raoul Walsh

oo Another Another ““Cain and AbelCain and Abel”” type type gangster film.gangster film.oo Three world war I veterans (Cagney, Three world war I veterans (Cagney, Bogart, McHugh) turn to a life of crime Bogart, McHugh) turn to a life of crime during prohibition.during prohibition.oo Tough guy gangster Eddie Bartlett Tough guy gangster Eddie Bartlett (Cagney) tries to go legit by running (Cagney) tries to go legit by running taxi cabs but the Depression and taxi cabs but the Depression and unrequited love for a night club singer unrequited love for a night club singer do him in.do him in.oo Second Cagney movie where Bogart Second Cagney movie where Bogart plays a villain. plays a villain.

Film NoirFilm Noir

oo AA term unknown to contemporary post term unknown to contemporary post World War II directors and actors.World War II directors and actors.oo ““Black filmBlack film”” with cynical, world weary with cynical, world weary protagonists, and women of questionable protagonists, and women of questionable virtue that operate outside of society and thevirtue that operate outside of society and thelaw. Frequently these films feature hard law. Frequently these films feature hard boiled detectives.boiled detectives.oo film diagonals, other unusual camera film diagonals, other unusual camera angles, limited light and dark shadows are angles, limited light and dark shadows are used to reflect the emotional states of the used to reflect the emotional states of the Film NoirFilm Noir’’s protagonists.s protagonists.oo film techniques that evolved from German film techniques that evolved from German Expressionism and prewar French films.Expressionism and prewar French films.

Key Largo (1948)Key Largo (1948)Directed by John HustonDirected by John Huston

ooRobinson returns as gangster Johnny Rocco,Robinson returns as gangster Johnny Rocco,an exan ex--patriot Midwestern gangster, who tries patriot Midwestern gangster, who tries to make a comeback off the Florida keys. to make a comeback off the Florida keys. oo Bogart is the veteran hero paired with wife Bogart is the veteran hero paired with wife Loren Bacall.Loren Bacall.oo Claire Trevor won the best supporting Claire Trevor won the best supporting actress Oscar as Rocco's alcoholic exactress Oscar as Rocco's alcoholic ex--lover lover Gaye DawnGaye Dawn. . oo brooding brooding ““Film NoirFilm Noir”” atmosphere with atmosphere with claustrophobic hotel sets, and scenes.claustrophobic hotel sets, and scenes.

White Heat (1949)White Heat (1949)Directed by Raoul WalshDirected by Raoul Walsh

oo James Cagney plays Cody Jarrett, a James Cagney plays Cody Jarrett, a mother fixated, psychotic rural gangster mother fixated, psychotic rural gangster who is betrayed by a government informer.who is betrayed by a government informer.oo Black and white Black and white ““Film NoirFilm Noir””cinematography with dark shadows, cinematography with dark shadows, diagonal compositions, grainy fast film.diagonal compositions, grainy fast film.oo Post war Freudian psychology influenced Post war Freudian psychology influenced the screenplay.the screenplay.oo Combines elements from the caper film Combines elements from the caper film and famous rural gangsters: Ma Barker, and famous rural gangsters: Ma Barker, Dillinger, and Bonnie and Clyde.Dillinger, and Bonnie and Clyde.

On the Waterfront (1954)On the Waterfront (1954)Directed by Elia KazanDirected by Elia Kazan

ooEx prizefighter Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando) Ex prizefighter Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando) must choose between his love for Edie Doyle must choose between his love for Edie Doyle (Eva Marie Saint) and his allegiance to (Eva Marie Saint) and his allegiance to corrupt gangster union boss, Johnny Friendly corrupt gangster union boss, Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb).(Lee J. Cobb).oo Elia Kazan made the film as an allegory for Elia Kazan made the film as an allegory for standing up to communist corruption.standing up to communist corruption.oo Classic film score written by Leonard Classic film score written by Leonard BernsteinBernsteinoo ““Film NoirFilm Noir”” preoccupation with cynicism, preoccupation with cynicism, corruption and the seamy side of life.corruption and the seamy side of life.oo Many memorable scenes which include Many memorable scenes which include ““I I could have been a contendercould have been a contender”” scene with scene with Charlie the Gent (Rod Steiger)Charlie the Gent (Rod Steiger)

Godfather Films (1972, 1974, 1990)Godfather Films (1972, 1974, 1990)Directed by Frances Ford CoppolaDirected by Frances Ford Coppola

oo Based on the novel and screenplays of Mario Puzo Based on the novel and screenplays of Mario Puzo oo Considered the definite Mafia family movies.Considered the definite Mafia family movies.oo Godfather won three academy awards, including Godfather won three academy awards, including best picture. Godfather II was the only sequel to win best picture. Godfather II was the only sequel to win an academy award. an academy award. oo Godfather II consists of two parallel story lines with Godfather II consists of two parallel story lines with flashbacks between the two. One story concerns flashbacks between the two. One story concerns Michael CorleoneMichael Corleone’’s expanding Las Vegas empire while s expanding Las Vegas empire while the other concerns the early years of Vito Corleonethe other concerns the early years of Vito Corleone’’s s founding of his mafia family. founding of his mafia family. oo Godfather III was by all accounts the weakest of Godfather III was by all accounts the weakest of the Godfather films. The movie is set in 1979 and is the Godfather films. The movie is set in 1979 and is focused on an aging Michael Corleone who is trying tofocused on an aging Michael Corleone who is trying togo legitimate but is involved in Vatican scandals.go legitimate but is involved in Vatican scandals.

Scarface (1983)Scarface (1983)Directed by Brian DePalmaDirected by Brian DePalma

oo Violent remake of Howard HawkViolent remake of Howard Hawk’’s 1932 classics 1932 classicoo Al Pacino stars as Tony Montana, a Marielito Cuban Al Pacino stars as Tony Montana, a Marielito Cuban immigrant who murders his way to becoming a majorimmigrant who murders his way to becoming a majorMiami drug kingpin.Miami drug kingpin.oo Scarface reflected AmericaScarface reflected America’’s changing ethnic s changing ethnic composition with Hispanic gangsters and drug dealers composition with Hispanic gangsters and drug dealers from Latin America replacing Italianfrom Latin America replacing Italian--Americans. Americans. MovieMovie’’s success helped influence Michael Manns success helped influence Michael Mann’’s s Miami Vice. Miami Vice. ooScarface broke new ground for foul language and Scarface broke new ground for foul language and ultra violence. ultra violence. oo Brian DePalma teamed up with Pacino again to Brian DePalma teamed up with Pacino again to depict Hispanic gangsterdepict Hispanic gangster’’s in Carlitos in Carlito’’s Way.s Way.

Goodfellas (1990)Goodfellas (1990)Directed by Martin ScorseseDirected by Martin Scorsese

oo Based on the memoirs of real life gangster Henry Based on the memoirs of real life gangster Henry Hill, Goodfellas is known for it uncompromising Hill, Goodfellas is known for it uncompromising realism and honest depiction of blue collar gangsters. realism and honest depiction of blue collar gangsters. oo Scorsese follows the decades long criminal Scorsese follows the decades long criminal apprenticeship of Henry Hill and his gangster apprenticeship of Henry Hill and his gangster associates Tommy DeVito and Jimmy Conway. associates Tommy DeVito and Jimmy Conway. oo The musical soundtrack follows the The musical soundtrack follows the decades through popular songs.decades through popular songs.oo ScorseseScorsese’’s mother appears as the mother of Tommy s mother appears as the mother of Tommy Devito in Goodfellas. Devito in Goodfellas.

Casino (1995)Casino (1995)Directed by Martin ScorseseDirected by Martin Scorsese

oo Based on the career of mobster Frank Lefty Based on the career of mobster Frank Lefty Rosenthal, Casino depicts Las Vegas in the 1970s and Rosenthal, Casino depicts Las Vegas in the 1970s and 1980s. 1980s. oo Mobsters Ace Rothstein and Nicky Santoro operate Mobsters Ace Rothstein and Nicky Santoro operate the mob controlled Tangier casino. Adultery and greed the mob controlled Tangier casino. Adultery and greed lead to the destruction of their personal lives. lead to the destruction of their personal lives. oo Casino depicts the JanusCasino depicts the Janus--like quality of Las Vegaslike quality of Las Vegas----it it has a glittering, glamorous face, as well as a brutal, has a glittering, glamorous face, as well as a brutal, cruel onecruel one..oo Goddfellas cast teams up Scorsese regulars Joe Goddfellas cast teams up Scorsese regulars Joe Pesci and Robert DeNiro. Pesci and Robert DeNiro.

History of Hollywood Western FilmsHistory of Hollywood Western Films

ooIn 1898, while Geronimo, Buffalo Bill Cody,In 1898, while Geronimo, Buffalo Bill Cody,and Wyatt Earp were still living, the first western and Wyatt Earp were still living, the first western movies were produced by the Thomas Edison Studio movies were produced by the Thomas Edison Studio oo Many former cowboys like ,William S. Hart, starred in Many former cowboys like ,William S. Hart, starred in early silent westerns.early silent westerns.oo Singing cowboys, Gene Autry, Hopalong Cassidy Singing cowboys, Gene Autry, Hopalong Cassidy became matinee idols of the nineteen thirties.became matinee idols of the nineteen thirties.oo Besides the Besides the ““B WesternsB Westerns”” quality westerns began to quality westerns began to be produced during the late 30be produced during the late 30’’ssoo Westerns became more sophisticated with John Westerns became more sophisticated with John FordFord’’s Stagecoach, Searchers, and The Man Who Shot s Stagecoach, Searchers, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.Liberty Valance.oo Westerns reached maturity during the decade of the Westerns reached maturity during the decade of the sixties with complex plots that emphasized the decline sixties with complex plots that emphasized the decline of the western hero and or the end of the western era. of the western hero and or the end of the western era.

Stagecoach (1939)Stagecoach (1939)Directed by John FordDirected by John Ford

oo Breakthrough western for director, John Breakthrough western for director, John Ford.Ford.oo Stagecoach emphasized character Stagecoach emphasized character development and expansive cinematography development and expansive cinematography over B Western, low budget, formulaic, over B Western, low budget, formulaic, singing cowboys. singing cowboys. oo Helped establish John Wayne as a major Helped establish John Wayne as a major actor and charismatic western star. actor and charismatic western star. oo Introduced stereotypes of whore with the Introduced stereotypes of whore with the heart of gold, cavalry rescue, final gun battle heart of gold, cavalry rescue, final gun battle in the center of town.in the center of town.

My Darling Clementine (1946)My Darling Clementine (1946)Directed by John FordDirected by John Ford

oo My Darling Clementine" is John Ford's retelling of the My Darling Clementine" is John Ford's retelling of the Earp/Clanton feud, and the famous show down at the OK Earp/Clanton feud, and the famous show down at the OK Corral. Ford embellishes on the story by centering the plot on Corral. Ford embellishes on the story by centering the plot on the fictional character Clementine (Doc Holliday's the fictional character Clementine (Doc Holliday's schoolteacher flame from back east). schoolteacher flame from back east). oo Story has many factual errors such as Doc Holiday dying at Story has many factual errors such as Doc Holiday dying at the OK Corral, old man Clanton in the fight,the OK Corral, old man Clanton in the fight,filmed at Monument Valley rather than Tombstone, Arizona.filmed at Monument Valley rather than Tombstone, Arizona.oo Ford claimed he met Wyatt Earp and discussed the Ford claimed he met Wyatt Earp and discussed the gunfight at the OK Corral.gunfight at the OK Corral.oo One of the enduring legends of the west,One of the enduring legends of the west,the gunfight at the OK Corral has been filmed numerous the gunfight at the OK Corral has been filmed numerous times: Tombstone the town too tough to die (1942), times: Tombstone the town too tough to die (1942), Gunfight at OK Corral (1957), Wyatt Earp (1994)Gunfight at OK Corral (1957), Wyatt Earp (1994)

OxOx--bow Incident (1946)bow Incident (1946)Directed by William WellmanDirected by William Wellman

ooThree innocent strangers are lynched on Three innocent strangers are lynched on circumstantial evidence by a posse for the murder of a circumstantial evidence by a posse for the murder of a local rancher and the theft of his cattle.local rancher and the theft of his cattle.oo THE OXTHE OX--BOW INCIDENT is about the need to BOW INCIDENT is about the need to respect the law and proper legal/criminal procedure, respect the law and proper legal/criminal procedure, rather than react with emotions for quick solutions of rather than react with emotions for quick solutions of "justice". "justice". oo Film defies formulas with no gunfights, conventional Film defies formulas with no gunfights, conventional heroes, community square dances, lone hero, ranchersheroes, community square dances, lone hero, ranchersagainst settlers etc. against settlers etc. oo Henry Fonda claimed that he was Henry Fonda claimed that he was ““most proudmost proud”” of of his performance in the OXhis performance in the OX--BOW INCIDENTBOW INCIDENT

High Noon (1946)High Noon (1946)Directed by Fred ZinnemannDirected by Fred Zinnemann

oo Will Kane is Marshall of Hadleyville. He resigns his Will Kane is Marshall of Hadleyville. He resigns his position to marry Quaker pacifist Amy Fowler, but position to marry Quaker pacifist Amy Fowler, but Frank Miller, a man Kane helped send to prison, is Frank Miller, a man Kane helped send to prison, is being released that same day and has vowed revenge being released that same day and has vowed revenge along with three other gang members. along with three other gang members. oo High Noon has antiHigh Noon has anti--McCarthy overtones as Kane McCarthy overtones as Kane stands against the townstands against the town’’s corruption, and High Noons corruption, and High Noon’’s s screenplay writer went into blacklist exile in Great screenplay writer went into blacklist exile in Great Britain. Britain. oo High Noon won four Academy awards including best High Noon won four Academy awards including best actor for Gary Cooper. actor for Gary Cooper. oo The movie is unusual in that the time span of the The movie is unusual in that the time span of the film approximates the actual length of the film. Clocks film approximates the actual length of the film. Clocks are a constant visual imageare a constant visual image. .

Shane (1953)Shane (1953)Directed by George StevensDirected by George Stevens

ooShane has assumed classic status for its broad Shane has assumed classic status for its broad themes of civilization (homesteaders) verses themes of civilization (homesteaders) verses wilderness (roaming cattlemen) and outsider loner wilderness (roaming cattlemen) and outsider loner (Shane) verses identical dark twin gunfighter (Wilson)(Shane) verses identical dark twin gunfighter (Wilson)oo The Narrative is mostly told through the eyes of an The Narrative is mostly told through the eyes of an eight year old boy, Joey Starrett (Brandon De Wilde)eight year old boy, Joey Starrett (Brandon De Wilde)oo Shane won an Oscar for itShane won an Oscar for it’’s cinematographys cinematographyoo ““Shane, Shane Come back!Shane, Shane Come back!““ uttered by Joey Starrett uttered by Joey Starrett is one of the most famous lines in Hollywood cinema. is one of the most famous lines in Hollywood cinema. oo Most of the scenes, even the simple ones, play in Most of the scenes, even the simple ones, play in montage. It looks as though Stevens shot each scene montage. It looks as though Stevens shot each scene from about 15 different angles and edited them from about 15 different angles and edited them together. The effect is striking.together. The effect is striking.

Searchers (1953)Searchers (1953)Directed by John FordDirected by John Ford

oo Features John Wayne as Ethan Edwards, an ex Features John Wayne as Ethan Edwards, an ex Confederate veteran who pursues a Comanche band Confederate veteran who pursues a Comanche band along with his nephew to recover his kidnapped along with his nephew to recover his kidnapped nieces. nieces. oo The complexity and moral ambiguity of the main The complexity and moral ambiguity of the main character was a great step forward in the character was a great step forward in the sophistication of westerns. sophistication of westerns. oo The Searchers was known for its interior and The Searchers was known for its interior and exterior framing shots that represent civilized values exterior framing shots that represent civilized values (interior) verses savage frontier values (exterior) (interior) verses savage frontier values (exterior) oo The Searchers was admired by such directors as The Searchers was admired by such directors as Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman, Sam Peckinpah, Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman, Sam Peckinpah, Sergio Leone, and David Lean. Sergio Leone, and David Lean.

Ride the High Country (1962)Ride the High Country (1962)Directed by Sam PeckinpahDirected by Sam Peckinpah

oo Chronicles the decline of old western frontier values Chronicles the decline of old western frontier values in the fading careers of its two main protagonists Steve in the fading careers of its two main protagonists Steve Judd (Joel McCrea) and Gil Westrum (Randolph Scott) Judd (Joel McCrea) and Gil Westrum (Randolph Scott) oo Literate, sophisticated western with B western stars Literate, sophisticated western with B western stars Randolph Scott and Joel McCrea.Randolph Scott and Joel McCrea.oo Unusual final gun battle scene in Ride the High Unusual final gun battle scene in Ride the High Country has all participants with their guns already Country has all participants with their guns already drawn. drawn. oo Peckinpah uses high crane shots and beautiful Peckinpah uses high crane shots and beautiful framing for great location scenes. framing for great location scenes. oo Movie was a box office flop but gained in statue Movie was a box office flop but gained in statue later.later.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)Directed by Sergio LeoneDirected by Sergio Leone

oo Classic Classic ““Spaghetti WesternSpaghetti Western”” with the with the ““man with no nameman with no name””played by Clint Eastwood. played by Clint Eastwood. oo Against the backdrop of the Civil War, three desperados Against the backdrop of the Civil War, three desperados search for a fortune in gold buried in a graveyard. Each search for a fortune in gold buried in a graveyard. Each knows only a portion of the gold's exact location, so for the knows only a portion of the gold's exact location, so for the moment they're dependent on each other. moment they're dependent on each other. oo This was one of three movies done by Leone with This was one of three movies done by Leone with Eastwood. The others were A Fistful of Dollars (1964), For a Eastwood. The others were A Fistful of Dollars (1964), For a Few Dollars More (1965) and finally The Good, The Bad, and Few Dollars More (1965) and finally The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.the Ugly.oo Classic film score by Ennio Morricone was almost as Classic film score by Ennio Morricone was almost as popular as the movie. popular as the movie. oo Leone is remembered for his extreme close up shots and Leone is remembered for his extreme close up shots and zooms in his movies. zooms in his movies.

True Grit (1969)True Grit (1969)Directed by Henry HathawayDirected by Henry Hathaway

oo John WayneJohn Wayne’’s only academy award for best actor s only academy award for best actor was for his performance as Rooster Cogburn in True was for his performance as Rooster Cogburn in True Grit. Wayne plays a drunken, over the hill, Grit. Wayne plays a drunken, over the hill, ex lawman who helps Mattie Ross track down Tom ex lawman who helps Mattie Ross track down Tom Chaney, the murderer of her father. Chaney, the murderer of her father. oo John Wayne appeared again as Rooster Cogburn John Wayne appeared again as Rooster Cogburn With Katherine Hepburn in the movie of the same With Katherine Hepburn in the movie of the same name in 1975. name in 1975. oo authentic dialog and historical accuracy make authentic dialog and historical accuracy make True Grit a classic western. True Grit a classic western. oo ClichClichéé theme of lawman tracking down an outlaw theme of lawman tracking down an outlaw is effectively used.is effectively used.

The Wild Bunch (1969)The Wild Bunch (1969)Directed by Sam PeckinpaghDirected by Sam Peckinpagh

oo A few months before World War I, an aging band of A few months before World War I, an aging band of outlaws led by Pike Bishop rob a Texas bank intent on outlaws led by Pike Bishop rob a Texas bank intent on using the money to retire. When the robbery goes wrong, using the money to retire. When the robbery goes wrong, the gang is forced to flee to Mexico with Bishop's the gang is forced to flee to Mexico with Bishop's reformed exreformed ex--partner, Duke Thornton, in hot pursuit. partner, Duke Thornton, in hot pursuit. oo The Wild Bunch was one of the most heavily edited The Wild Bunch was one of the most heavily edited movies in motion picture history with 3,643 edits, or movies in motion picture history with 3,643 edits, or an edit about every three seconds.an edit about every three seconds.oo The climatic final gun battle took over twelve days to The climatic final gun battle took over twelve days to Film.Film.oo The Wild Bunch was so violent that the MPAA (Motion The Wild Bunch was so violent that the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) threatened an Picture Association of America) threatened an ““XX”” rating rating that was later changed to that was later changed to ““RR””

High Plains Drifter (1973)High Plains Drifter (1973)Directed by Clint EastwoodDirected by Clint Eastwood

oo Clint Eastwood both starred and directed the 1973 Clint Eastwood both starred and directed the 1973 Western, High Plains Drifter.Western, High Plains Drifter.oo A mysterious man with no name arrives in Lago a A mysterious man with no name arrives in Lago a desert mining town, and after gunning down three desert mining town, and after gunning down three desperados, the stranger is hired by the town to desperados, the stranger is hired by the town to protect them against three outlaws about to be protect them against three outlaws about to be released from prison. released from prison. oo Eastwood had a whole town built in the desert Eastwood had a whole town built in the desert near Mono Lake in California for High Plains Drifter. near Mono Lake in California for High Plains Drifter. oo This unusual western has a supernatural This unusual western has a supernatural Ambiguity to the ending.Ambiguity to the ending.

The Shootist (1976)The Shootist (1976)Directed by Don SiegelDirected by Don Siegel

oo John WayneJohn Wayne’’s final film, and Wayne was ill during s final film, and Wayne was ill during the filming of the Shootist.the filming of the Shootist.oo J.B. Books, an aging gunfighter/shootist, who is dying J.B. Books, an aging gunfighter/shootist, who is dying of cancer and is looking for a quiet place to die. Books of cancer and is looking for a quiet place to die. Books takes a room at widow Bond Rogers (Laren Bacall) takes a room at widow Bond Rogers (Laren Bacall) rooming house and is identified by Gillom Rogers (Ron rooming house and is identified by Gillom Rogers (Ron Howard) as the famous gunfighter. Books decides to giveHoward) as the famous gunfighter. Books decides to givehis rivals one last chance to kill the legendary gunfighter.his rivals one last chance to kill the legendary gunfighter.oo ““I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid alaid a--hand on. I don't do these things to other people, hand on. I don't do these things to other people,

and I require the same from them. and I require the same from them. ““ John Bernard Books John Bernard Books oo Wayne liked working with Bacall so much in Blood Alley Wayne liked working with Bacall so much in Blood Alley that he requested her for the part in the Shootist. that he requested her for the part in the Shootist.

The Long Riders (1980)The Long Riders (1980)Directed by Walter HillDirected by Walter Hill

oo The long riders tells the story of the The long riders tells the story of the James and Younger gangs and their famousJames and Younger gangs and their famous bank raid in Northfield, Minnesota.bank raid in Northfield, Minnesota.oo The film is unusual in that the Youngers The film is unusual in that the Youngers and James brothers are played by actual and James brothers are played by actual brothers The Youngers are played by David,brothers The Youngers are played by David,Keith, and Robert Keith, and Robert CarridineCarridine, while the , while the James brothers are played by James and James brothers are played by James and Stacy Keach.Stacy Keach.oo Director Walter Hill uses slow motion film Director Walter Hill uses slow motion film in a montage of gory violence. in a montage of gory violence.

The Unforgiven (1992)The Unforgiven (1992)Directed by Clint EastwoodDirected by Clint Eastwood

oo When a couple of drunken cowboys cut up a When a couple of drunken cowboys cut up a prostitute in a saloon, Big Whiskeyprostitute in a saloon, Big Whiskey’’s corrupt sheriff s corrupt sheriff wonwon’’t help them find justice. The whores hire the t help them find justice. The whores hire the services of The Schofield Kid, Ned Logan, and the services of The Schofield Kid, Ned Logan, and the washed out gunman William Munny to seek revenge.washed out gunman William Munny to seek revenge.oo Eastwood asked Gene Hackman to base his Eastwood asked Gene Hackman to base his character Little Bill Dagget on then controversial character Little Bill Dagget on then controversial Los Angeles Police Chief, Daryl Gates. Los Angeles Police Chief, Daryl Gates. oo The The UnforgivenUnforgiven is a post modern western that is a post modern western that called into question older racist assumptions about called into question older racist assumptions about western frontier life and conventional morality.western frontier life and conventional morality.

Dead Man (1995)Dead Man (1995)Directed by Jim JamuschDirected by Jim Jamusch

oo Post modern Film Noir Western filmed in Post modern Film Noir Western filmed in black and white.black and white.oo An accountant travels to the west with a An accountant travels to the west with a letter of appointment only to find he has no letter of appointment only to find he has no job and becomes a fugitive from the law job and becomes a fugitive from the law for a double murder for a double murder oo He travels the west with a He travels the west with a Renegade, Indian dodging hired bounty Renegade, Indian dodging hired bounty hunters, lawmen and other psychopaths.hunters, lawmen and other psychopaths.