Calling All "Western" Fans...

[5-0]

I'm doing audience research for my Media coursework, and specifically focusing on the genre of "Westerns". What I'd like to know is what conventions and elements people typically associate with Westerns. What, for you,in your opinion, makes a film, game or TV show typically Western?

The more responses I get, the better. Thanks in advance.

 

[Flamezdudes]

Well, it depends on the Westerns. You can get regular westerns and "Spaghetti" Westerns like The Dollar Trilogy.

Spaghetti Westerns usually are more dramatic like fast quick draws and horse chases, that's what i usually associate with western.

You also get historic westerns like The Assassination of Jesse James, a film about the legendary outlaw Jesse James.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

You've got to make it feel grand. A 'big' theme if I can remember all the way back to GCSE music.

 

[TheRundownRabbit]

John fuckin Wayne makes a western
and Clint Eastwood

 

[Good morning blues]

What makes a Western? In order to be a proper one, all it really needs is to be set in the Western part of North America before any centralized European or descendent-European power was able to assert lawful authority there. It could involve outlaws, cowboys, travel by horses, six-guns, whore houses, trains, train robberies, or any number of other things, but none of them are fundamental.

 

[Wadders]

Clint Eastwood.

Clint Eastwood is Westerns.

 

[L4hlborg]

I mostly watch Spaghetti westerns, since Clint Eastwood, dubs and the quickly changing cameraranges are awesome. That pretty much sums up what makes a good spaghetti western (not necessarily Eastwood, but he certainly helps). Also, having it set in the wild west often helps. And crazy evil mexicans. Never forget them.

 

[T-Bone24]

A mysterious protaganist, generally unknown. A feeling of isolation and loneliness, just the character and, if needs be, their transport (typically a horse).

 

[BGH122]

Freedom from government oppression. Deadwood, the best ever Western themed show in my opinion (and Red Dead, the best Western themed game), really showed us a world where the federal government couldn't keep control and people sorted out their problems mano a mano with a frontiersman spirit.