Today, we look at A Fistful of Dollars to determine why 60s Westerns remain so beloved.
The Western genre dates back to Edwin S. Porter’s 1903 motion picture: The Great Train Robbery. However, the genre would, arguably, not reach its peak until the 1960s. It was at this time that genre legends, such as the all-American John Wayne, would produce their best work in films like True Grit, and fresh, young talent would demonstrate their ability to transition the genre into the modern age.
One such talent was Clint Eastwood. From 1964 to 1966, he portrayed The Man with No Name in Sergio Leone’s much acclaimed “Dollars” trilogy, and has since become synonymous with the Western genre. Beforehand, many Westerns were either glorified pieces of American patriotic cinema, or simply fun methods of escape for those who paid for the privilege of viewing them on the big screen. Conversely, Leone’s trilogy presented serious themes in an effort to mature the genre.
That is why I wish to begin this series, which will look at the genres I believe had the most impact on each decade from the 1960s all the way to the 2010s, with the Westerns of the 60s above all others. Though the genre may not have been founded in this decade, it was the decade that saw it mature into a highly-profitable cinematic powerhouse.
So, I thank you for moseying on over to Access All Areas today, and tip my hat to you in respect for doing so. I hope you will pull up a metaphorical seat and stay awhile as we discuss the Westerns of the 1960s, and why they defined the decade in question.
The Man with No Name
As previously stated, it was with the “Dollars” trilogy that Westerns began to mature as a cinematic genre. The character of The Man with No Name remains one of the most recognisable examples. Clint Eastwood masterfully portrays a man who wishes to help those in need, but would also prefer to refrain from intimate human relationships to avoid heartbreak or “weakness”.
In many ways, it represents the pressure men felt both during the late 19th century, and the 1960s to present themselves as the embodiment of masculinity. Unlike today, displaying any kind of emotional vulnerability was not regarded as masculine, and was therefore frowned upon.
Clint Eastwood’s Man with No Name, as with many of his characters, confidently challenges this ideal. Throughout Leone’s inaugural entry into the “Dollars” trilogy, A Fistful of Dollars, the unnamed protagonist displays such complex emotions as fear, despair, and empathy. As an audience, we frequently witness him battle against whether to maintain his facade of indifference, or to cathartically release his emotions.
Consequently, The Man with No Name has aged much more gracefully than the flawless all-American heroes of Westerns’ past by demonstrating his flawed humanity. Not only has he provided men and women alike with a relatable hero, but he also assisted in establishing the formula for the reluctant hero we would later see perfected with characters such as Star Wars’ Han Solo.
The Anti-Hero’s Journey
When one’s mind focuses on the Western hero, it will most likely conjure images of a stoic, heroic, and flawless Sheriff or Marshal protecting their citizens from all who mean them harm. To continue my plutonic love affair with The Man with No Name, it is the fact that he embodies the polar opposite of this ideal that makes his journey through A Fistful of Dollars so fascinating to watch.
Eastwood’s iconic character is, as his namesake would imply, a nobody. Throughout the opening minutes of the motion picture, there is little to write home about. The character of The Man with No Name is established, he encounters the woman who acts as the catalyst for the film’s narrative, and he even confidently exchanges in strategic, back-and-forth conversations with the antagonist: Ramon Rojo.
However, once the fateful halfway point is reached, something truly unexpected occurs to our masculine 60s hero… he loses. The Man with No Name is beaten to within an inch of his life, and must retreat. He even forces himself to witness the slaughter of those he is unable to save as a self-inflicted punishment for his overzealousness.
The remainder of the film is dedicated to Eastwood’s Man with No Name learning from his mistakes, and putting these learned lessons into practice so that he can better prepare for his next encounter with Ramon. Consequently, watching the redemption of this ordinary man play out on screen as he defeats the foe that had bested him once before, and is finally successful in protecting those he has come to care for, is all the more sweet.
Incredible Iconography and Classic Conventions
It seems only fitting to conclude this piece with a list of the most recognisable, and widely beloved, conventions and iconography associated with the Western genre. After all, there is no better way to celebrate the genre than by acknowledging why I fell in love with it in the first place.
None can deny the draw-dropping, and beautiful vistas of the Old American West. Many of my favourite shots in Western cinema depict human and animal subjects as dwarfed figures against the towering rocky, and mountainous backdrops that they traverse. While matte paintings were very popular at this time to create such sights before the frequent use of green screen, the majority of the gorgeous Italian backdrops present in 60s Spaghetti Westerns appear to be genuine and authentic. Though art’s subjective representations of life can be awe-inspiring to behold, nothing compares to nature’s creations.
Furthermore, in his “Dollars” trilogy, Sergio Leone frequently employs Extreme Close-ups that highlight the eyes of his characters, which provide the audience with a window into the mental state of the character who forms the subject of the shot. These shots are coupled with Ennio Morricone’s scores that incorporate expansive orchestras, crescendoing chants, and instruments associated with the Old West, including harmonicas. Not only does this combination bolster the drama in the climactic scenes in which it is featured, but it has also been adopted by many Western filmmakers in the decades since.
Finally, the aforementioned visual and musical elements contribute to the heavily-stylised nature of the Western genre. Whether it be the use of extreme shots and cuts, or Southern accents packing cheese mature enough to knock out an elephant, there is always terrific fun to be had when settling down to tune in to a film set in the Old West.
Ride Off Into the Sunset with Me
While the Western genre has not received a major surge in popularity since this golden age, its conventions and iconography are still integrated into other genres to this day. Moss Eisley from the Star Wars franchise closely resembles the picturesque towns depicted in those films that deal with the Old American West. Science-Fiction films frequently feature reluctant heroes, like Han Solo who was mentioned prior, as their protagonists, making it all the more satisfying when they eventually, and fully dedicate themselves to doing the right thing.
If it were not for the Western classics of the 60s, the filmic landscape of today would look very different and, for that, we thank those pioneering filmmakers who brought these films to us. Now, if you will excuse me, I shall now take myself off in search of a fedora and poncho to live out my own Western fantasy.
Tune in to the next instalment of the series where I discuss the horror films of the 1970s. Be sure to follow Access All Areas to be among the first to read that article. You can also follow me on my social media channels below.
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