Western Comparison: Shane vs. Unforgiven
Tennille22
There have been many different western films made throughout
the years. In most of the older movies there are several comparisons
that can be made, but in the more recent ones these parallels are
almost not existing. This can be seen when comparing the movies
Shane and Unforgiven. Even though these two movies are both westerns
they are essentially almost total opposites because of the times they
were made. One major difference can be found between the main
characters of each movie.
In Shane the major character, Shane, was the traditional cowboy
being fairly young, strong, handsome, kind, and honest. On the other
hand, the main character in Unforgiven, William Munny, was an old,
washed-up, rough man with a dark and evil past. Shane helped people
in need for no other reason than because he felt it was his duty and
because he knew it was the right and just thing to do. William Munny's
only reason for helping, if that's what you want to call it, was
because there was a money reward offered.
The reason many characters and especially the characters in
these two movies have changed so much over the years is because society
has changed. William Munny is a more realistic character for today's
people compared to Shane. Back several years ago when Shane first came
out, the main character was more suited to that generation. In those
days the Unforgiven's main character was probably unthinkable and
unheard of. The William Munny is also more in-depth and that is what
seems to attract people today. The more complex the character and
his or her situation, the more interest there is and the more thought
is involved, and therefore more people today enjoy watching it.
sjgouldrulesmiggy
(Tennille22) wrote:
-> Shane vs. Unforgiven
->
-> There have been many different western films made throughout
-> the years. In most of the older movies there are several comparisons
-> that can be made, but in the more recent ones these parallels are
-> almost not existing. This can be seen when comparing the movies
-> Shane and Unforgiven. Even though these two movies are both westerns
-> they are essentially almost total opposites because of the times they
-> were made. One major difference can be found between the main
-> characters of each movie.
-> In Shane the major character, Shane, was the traditional cowboy
-> being fairly young, strong, handsome, kind, and honest.
Yes but he also had an evil past. Back them Stevens wouldn't go as far as
say Eastwood. Shane had a past and that is why I think he wants to help
the family overcome the bullies, because he once was one. Also don't
forget lonely. Also , all "traditional cowboys" were loners. They always
ride off alone.
On the other
-> hand, the main character in Unforgiven, William Munny, was an old,
-> washed-up, rough man with a dark and evil past. Shane helped people
-> in need for no other reason than because he felt it was his duty and
-> because he knew it was the right and just thing to do.
no no no no. To overcome guilt that's why he did it.
William Munny's
-> only reason for helping, if that's what you want to call it, was
-> because there was a money reward offered.
Are we watching the same movies or what. Sure he wanted money but his
character arc is the same as Shane---to overcome guilt!
-> The reason many characters and especially the characters in
-> these two movies have changed so much over the years is because society
-> has changed.
society has changed but the characters have remained the same. The only
thing that changes in society is technology. I venture to say that people
during Stevens time were just as fucked up as they are today. It's the
same movie with a different twist. In Shane Stevens is directing a film in
the middle of an era were movie goers loved the westerns and still had a
John Wayne mentality. Clint wanted to put that era to rest. Basicly he is
sick of making westerns and making them for money just doesn't cut it
anymore. He tried to say goodbye to the genre with Silverado. In Silverado
he shows us the problems with running away from the genre. Sure the older
generation can put them to rest but the younger generation--the girl at
the end--always loves a good western. Remeber her lines?
William Munny is a more realistic character for today's
-> people compared to Shane. Back several years ago when Shane first came
-> out, the main character was more suited to that generation. In those
-> days the Unforgiven's main character was probably unthinkable and
-> unheard of. The William Munny is also more in-depth and that is what
-> seems to attract people today. The more complex the character and
-> his or her situation, the more interest there is and the more thought
-> is involved, and therefore more people today enjoy watching it.
Munny was unthinkable back them because no one wrote the script back then.
The character isn't that complex either. He is the same as Shane but the
guilt is more apparent.
regards,
miggy
--
"The vice of our country is that we are always outraged at the wrong things"......Norman Mailer
kenneth mcalinden
: In article <4a2n3n$2...@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, tenni...@aol.com
: (Tennille22) wrote:
: -> The reason many characters and especially the characters in
: -> these two movies have changed so much over the years is because society
: -> has changed.
: society has changed but the characters have remained the same. The only
: thing that changes in society is technology. I venture to say that people
: during Stevens time were just as fucked up as they are today. It's the
: same movie with a different twist. In Shane Stevens is directing a film in
: the middle of an era were movie goers loved the westerns and still had a
: John Wayne mentality. Clint wanted to put that era to rest. Basicly he is
: sick of making westerns and making them for money just doesn't cut it
: anymore. He tried to say goodbye to the genre with Silverado. In Silverado
: he shows us the problems with running away from the genre. Sure the older
: generation can put them to rest but the younger generation--the girl at
: the end--always loves a good western. Remeber her lines?
Reasonable points, but you *don't* mean "Silverado". You were probably
thinking of "Pale Rider".
The censors had more to do with the differences in how the characters were
portrayed than any differences in the actual societies that produced them.
--
**********************************
* Ken McAlinden *
* kmca...@umdsun2.umd.umich.edu *
* Dearborn, MI USA *
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