Westerns

It is a common assertion that the history of America is written in its Westerns, but how true is this?

In this guidebook John White discusses the evolution of the Western through history and looks at theoretical and critical approaches to Westerns such as genre analysis, semiotics, representation, ideology, discourse analysis, narrative, realism, auteur and star theory, psychoanalytical theory, postmodernism and audience response. The book includes case studies of 8 key westerns:

• Stagecoach
• My Darling Clementine
• Shane
• The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
• McCabe and Mrs Miller
• Unforgiven
• Brokeback Mountain
• The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Including a chronology of significant events for the Western genre, a glossary and further reading, this introduction to an important genre in film studies is a great guide for students.

John White is Lecturer in Film and Media at Anglia Ruskin University. He is co-author of AS Film Studies: The Essential Introduction (2nd edition, 2008) and A2 Film Studies: The Essential Introduction (2nd edition, 2009)  and co-editor of 50 Key British Films (2008) and 50 Key American Films (2009).