Western-themed films were once cranked out so commonly that even the movie house managers joked about them, calling them `Horse Operas,' or more derisively, `Oaters.' Eventually they became satirized with films like `Blazing Saddles,' and then they disappeared. With rare exception, they were made to attract the male audience, and like war films, offered nothing that the ladies could find appealing. Somewhat more recently, however, the genre has been experiencing a revival, with stories that also include some adult relationship issues. The males are still portrayed as larger-than-life heroes, and the emphasis is still more on action and gun fights, but there is also some character development, and at least one female who is not just there for them to ride away from in the end.
This is an example of that later type of western. It is, of course, a melodrama, with justifiable good-guys out-numbered by loathsome bad-guys; there is plenty of action and dead bodies to count, and the setting is suitably gritty. The good-guys are appropriately taciturn, yet occasionally sentimental, and even capable of a romantic twitching. There is at least one female to remind them of their humanity, and whom they can't just ride away from in the end. If that isn't enough to attract a strong feminine audience, at least it makes for a better western than the old-fashioned variety. It is still, largely, a `males only' film, but one that the gals won't find hopelessly boring. Indeed, all the obligatory violence aside, it yields a reasonably romantic story.
This is an example of that later type of western. It is, of course, a melodrama, with justifiable good-guys out-numbered by loathsome bad-guys; there is plenty of action and dead bodies to count, and the setting is suitably gritty. The good-guys are appropriately taciturn, yet occasionally sentimental, and even capable of a romantic twitching. There is at least one female to remind them of their humanity, and whom they can't just ride away from in the end. If that isn't enough to attract a strong feminine audience, at least it makes for a better western than the old-fashioned variety. It is still, largely, a `males only' film, but one that the gals won't find hopelessly boring. Indeed, all the obligatory violence aside, it yields a reasonably romantic story.