Contemporary Westerns Research

We did some research into the different sub genres of western and have decided on doing a contemporary western. They have lots of typical features and are often set on rugged rural terrain with a central plot revolving around conflict between good vs evil/rich vs poor. Some typical elements in them include guns and gunfights often on horseback (but also on foot), shootouts, horses, human massacres, open landscapes and the characters haver their distinctive western clothing (denim, jeans, boots, cowboy hats, guns etc). The heros are genrally local lawmen, cowboys ranchers or army officers that are both courageous, tough and moral and independent. Sometimes even people outside are the heros. They stand alone against danger (often outlaws) and display physical skills such as horse-handling and gun-play. We will use our research from the internet and asking for peoples views to help us make our film meet the criteria of a western.


Examples of Contemporary Westerns:

• Hud  (1963)  
• Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974)  
• El Mariachi (1992)  
• Lone Star (1996) 
• The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005) 
• Brokeback Mountain (2005) 
• Don't Come Knocking (2005) 
• No Country For Old Men (2007)