Western films are one of the oldest genres of cinema but its popularity has declined seriously over the years in comparison to other genres. I think it's because as the world becomes more advanced, the demands for modern films are higher. Or can I say it's the audience that determines the life cycle of certain genres?
The first western film I watched when I was a child is forever etched in my memory —The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (1966). That was how I came to know about this genre. My dad rented the video cassette and watched it while sipping his whiskey from a glass cup. I sat down with him to see what caught his attention. It was the scene of the three-way gun duel between Blondie, Angel Eyes and Tuco. I was captivated by how the three men watched each other keenly, the famous theme playing in the background, as Blondie took the shot and killed Angel Eyes.
I remember asking my dad why the cowboys looked dirty, had no home, always riding horses to nowhere in particular, smoked cigars, loved to play with their guns and participate in horseback pursuits over wide landscapes where there was no house in sight! My dad laughed at all my funny questions and told me it's called a western film based on the Old West in America. Ah. I understand The Good, The Bad And The Ugly is one of the most popular western films of all time. It's considered a classic.
As I grew older, I did not particularly fancy western films mainly because of the violence. This is not to say I don't watch violence in other genres like action and martial arts films. I do but I see western films as being in a category of their own — cowboys armed with big whips and pistols, gunslinging, roulettes, horseback pursuits etc. Their conflicts revolved around the settlement of the West and treatment of native Americans.
These men appear harsh towards each other, dueling to the death just to score a point or for some other purpose or for treasures as in The Good, The Bad And The Ugly. I see such a lifestyle as survival of the fittest. I guess these are some of the elements that define the western genre.
The theme song of The Good, The Bad And The Ugly played during the three-way duel is just legendary.
I think everyone loves the soundtrack. Whenever I hear it, my mind flashbacks to that night when I sat with my dad and watched that scene. It was my memorable introduction to western films.
One interesting thing about this genre is that it's flexible and has shifted a bit from the battles about the old West. Some films have been released to host different stories such as slave trade, freedom of black slaves and pursuit of love as seen in Django Unchained (2012) and variety of characters as displayed in the remake of Magnificent Seven (2016).
I enjoyed Magnificent Seven mainly because of the cast. It's a film focused on the hire of outlaws and miscreants to defend residents of Rose Creek, an oppressed town, from a brutal tyrant.
I've always loved Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt and Ethan Hawke in films and they did not disappoint in this film. I admired the way Washington put together the team of Seven and took down the bad guy in the film.
I guess seeing popular actors like Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt and Ethan Hawke in Magnificent Seven, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Samuel L. Jackson and Kerry Washington in Django Unchained endeared me to watch these two western films.
Their performances were impressive and outstanding. And I'm glad the film plot makes a lot of sense and tells good stories that positively influence society. It's my belief that a film should not just display actors doing their thing but pass across a positive message that is of benefit to the world.
I can say these three western films have moved me and made me see how the Old West lived in the olden days and all they did to survive. Will I continue to watch western films? Yes, if the plot is compelling and captivating enough.
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