The History of the West in Film
The Roots of Western Films
The allure of the American West has captivated audiences for centuries. From the early days of cinema, filmmakers have turned to the vast landscapes and rich history of the frontier to tell stories that explore the core values and complexities of the American experience.
The roots of Western films can be traced back to the 17th century, when European colonists first encountered the untamed wilderness of the New World. The frontier represented both a place of danger and opportunity, a land where one could escape the past and forge a new identity.
In the 19th century, authors like James Fenimore Cooper and painters of the Hudson River School romanticized the West as a place of adventure and heroism. This idealized vision heavily influenced the development of Western films, which often depicted cowboys as rugged individualists battling against the forces of nature and hostile Native American tribes.
The Golden Age of Westerns
The early 20th century marked the golden age of Western films. Edison Studio’s 1903 film “The Great Train Robbery” is widely considered the first Western, and it set the template for countless films to come.
Hollywood studios quickly recognized the commercial potential of Westerns, and soon every major studio was producing them. Directors like John Ford, Victor Fleming, and William Wyler made their names in the genre, and stars like Tom Mix and Mabel Normand became household names.
Westerns became so popular because they tapped into the fundamental themes of American identity: the search for freedom, the struggle against adversity, and the importance of community. They also provided a nostalgic escape from the increasingly complex and urbanized world of the early 20th century.
The Forgotten Films of the West
While classic Westerns like “Stagecoach” and “The Searchers” are still widely celebrated, many lesser-known films from the era offer a fascinating glimpse into the diversity and complexity of the genre.
Treasures 5: The West 1898-1938, a new DVD set from the National Film Preservation Foundation, presents a collection of these forgotten films. The set includes newsreels, features, travelogues, and documentaries that provide a unique perspective on Western life.
One particularly intriguing film in the set is “The Better Man” (1914), which explores the complex relationship between a Mexican-American horse thief and an Anglo father and husband. The film was recently repatriated from the New Zealand Film Archive and premiered at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival to great acclaim.
A Different Vision of the West
The films in Treasures 5: The West 1898-1938 offer a different vision of the West than the one found in the classic Westerns of the 1950s. Annette Melville, director of the NFPF, notes that the West depicted in these films is “more of a melting pot and had more variety.”
The films in the set show the West as a place where different cultures and perspectives intertwined. They explore the role of Native Americans, Asian immigrants, and women in the shaping of the frontier.
The West as a Backdrop
In addition to exploring the social and cultural history of the West, the films in Treasures 5: The West 1898-1938 also use the West as a backdrop to examine broader themes of American society.
For example, the film “Sunshine Gatherers” (1916) uses the story of the canned fruit industry to explore the relationship between nature, industry, and the American dream. The film’s subtle Del Monte logo serves as a reminder of the commercial forces that shaped the development of the West.
Conclusion
Treasures 5: The West 1898-1938 is a valuable collection of films that offers a unique and nuanced perspective on the history of the American West. The films in the set provide insights into the cultural, social, and economic forces that shaped the frontier, and they challenge the traditional stereotypes of Western films.