More Info on Westerns

I thought it would be a good idea to start to research about the background of westerns and better understand what they were about and what they were trying to show.

These are some bullet points that sum up what i've learnt about Westerns

• Set in the latter half of the 19th century, during the American civil war
• They portray how primitive and obsolete way of life confronted modern technological or social change
• Westerns of the 1940's, 50s emphasise the value of honour and sacrifice
• 1960s, 70s - glorifying a rebellious anti-hero and highlighting the cynicism, brutality and inequality of the American West.
• Depicts a society organised around codes of honour and personal, direct or private justice
• Story that centres on the life of a semi nomadic wanderer, usually a cowboy or gunfighter
• Westerns share many of the characteristics with the image of the ronin 
• Westerns often stress the harshness of the wilderness and set the action in an arid desolate landscape
• Other recurring themes of Westerns include wester trek or perilous journeys or groups of bandits terrorising small towns
• Vast landscapes become more than a vivid backdrop, it becomes a character in the films places like Montana, nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah