Lawmen: Bass Reeves and the Irresistible Allure of Westerns.
A love letter to my favourite genre…
"I love making pictures but I don't like talking about them." - John Ford.
Fortunately, I'm here. I have an ardent passion for cinematic conversations, especially when they revolve around the world of Westerns. 101 Studios have an exciting upcoming gem called "Lawmen: Bass Reeves," featuring the brilliant David Oyelowo. It's the perfect stage to express my love for traditional Westerns in film and television. So let's dive into my blend of appreciation and analysis, while keeping it short and convincing whoever is reading this, to watch more westerns.
David Oyelowo in 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves.' Paramount + (2023)
D.H. Lawrence, an insightful observer of the American psyche, once noted that the ‘quintessential American soul embodied qualities like unyielding solitude, stoicism, and a penchant for bloodshed.’ Let's take a moment to let that sink in. The period between the end of the Civil War in 1865 and the official closing of the American frontier left an indelible mark on the American character. It was a time when the untamed America of Daniel Boone and James Fenimore Cooper collided with the emerging, materialistic America represented by John Rockefeller, JP Morgan, Jasper Newton Daniel “Jack Daniel” and Upton Sinclair. This fascinating era saw a monumental struggle between the twin pillars of the American Dream – rugged individualism and liberty versus wealth and community ties. This clash, mirroring the eternal battle between freedom and opulence, still echoes in the American ethos today. The culture wars of this era are a great example of this.
Robert Ford & Jesse James
This photograph is believed to be the final image of the outlaw and Confederate figure, Jesse James, a legendary figure in the folklore of the “Old West”.
The myth of the "Old West" is said to have taken shape when dime-store novels chronicling the exploits of ‘Wild’ Bill Hickok, Billy ‘the Kid’, Wyatt Earp, and Jesse James played a pivotal role in shaping the iconic characters and scenarios we find in Western narratives – the white-hatted heroes and high noon showdowns. ‘My badge and gun’. But a great Western doesn't just showcase this myth; it delves into our fascination with it through the actions of its characters. A western is not a historical drama; it's a reflection of the era in which it's born. Paramount + "Lawmen: Bass Reeves" will unveil the true story of Bass Reeves, the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi, providing a compelling counterpoint to Taylor Sheridan's superb "Yellowstone."
David Oyelowo & Joaquina Kalukango in Lawmen: Bass Reeves (2023)
Born a slave in Arkansas, Reeves grew up in Grayson County, Texas, following the relocation of his owner, William S. Reeves. Reeves's history during the American Civil War remains unclear. He claimed to have served in various battles, but some accounts suggest that he escaped to Indian Territory (now Kansas and Oklahoma) after an argument with his owner during a card game. In 1875, he was commissioned as a deputy U.S. marshal by Federal Judge Isaac Parker of the Western District of Arkansas, known as the "hanging judge." Reeves became responsible for apprehending criminals in a vast region of what is now Oklahoma and Arkansas. Known for his valour, Reeves apprehended more than 3,000 outlaws during his tenure and was involved in the killing of 14 of them, including his own son.
Bass Reeves.
Born a slave in Arkansas, Reeves became one of the most famous lawmen in the American West.
The Western genre's storytelling prowess has been a cornerstone of its supremacy right from the start. The first ever narrative film, "The Great Train Robbery" (1903), was a western. Early television was inundated with Westerns, persisting well into the 1960s. Yet, this ubiquity on television screens didn't come without its consequences. The sheer volume of Westerns during that period led to audience fatigue and a backlash. They transitioned from compelling narratives to historical lectures, at times resembling glamorous costume parties that inadvertently functioned as tools of cultural propaganda, furthering the cause of American societal dominance.
Some of the stand out pictures from this time however include films like John Ford's "My Darling Clementine" (1946), Howard Hawks “Red River”(1948) and notably' "Rio Bravo" (1959) convey themes of personal sacrifice, redemption, and trust in times of crisis and the very best westerns reflect profound truths that resonate deeply. Modern Westerns across the board however, have come full circle from being seen as didactic history lessons to the exciting era we enjoy today.
Contemporary Westerns often explore "revisionist" themes, where traditional motifs are turned on their heads. The moral ambiguity inherent in the Old West becomes central, and complex anti-heroes challenge conventional American values. Taylor Sheridan's "Yellowstone" features characters who, in earlier Westerns, may have been labelled as villains but are now relatable figures with distinctive moral codes. The entire "Yellowstone" universe is exceptional, and Kevin Costner's "John Dutton" serves as a hero confronting violence and revealing the moral landscape's futility.
Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler & Kevin Costner as John Dutton in Yellowstone (2018)
“They're building a pipeline… or a railway … or airport…. or they’re taking our land!”
Every great narrative revolves around conflict. Westerns focus on the clash between the archaic way of life, the way we were and the forces of sociological and technological change. Themes of violence, greed, loyalty, obsession, and honour are explored, all within the unique backdrop of the Western setting with the setting itself acting as a foil character.
The pinnacle of traditional Western cinema can be found in John Ford's "The Searchers (1956)." It's a visual masterpiece that encapsulates cinematic craftsmanship, myth-making, and storytelling. It really set the bar. The film courageously confronts a morally controversial central character and offers a deep reflection on an issue ingrained deep in American identity.
The Western's visual language, from Ford's mastery of natural landscapes to Sergio Leone's iconic vistas, is mesmerising. It's a fantasy, it’s otherworldly and firmly connected to our own reality. It's undeniably beautiful.
Similarly, the Western soundtrack plays a crucial role in crafting the iconic imagery and atmosphere of the American West. Composers like Ennio Morricone have left an indelible mark with scores that make the Wild West come to life. This musical tradition traces back to the 19th century when cowboys found solace in music. It's a legacy that contributed to the very foundations of Country Music. In film however, it's not just background noise; it's an integral narrative force. Morricone's “The Good, The Bad, The Ugly” (1966) and "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1968) scores demonstrate how music can harmonise with visuals to reveal profound depths.
One of the greatest movies of all time.
Sergio Leone’s ‘Once Upon A Time In The West’ this movie is a marriage of cinematography, music, and elite direction.
In this picture, music becomes a tangible presence, much like a character. Morricone's mastery is evident as the harmonica in "Once Upon a Time in the West" takes on a life of its own. Silence becomes a powerful tool to intensify drama and reveal the storyline.
The influence of this Western soundtrack is very much felt in the 21st century, as seen in "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," where Hans Zimmer pays homage to Morricone's legacy. Furthermore, this musical influence transcends genres. A testament to its influence lies in one of the most unforgettable and spine-tingling entrances in cinema history – the Massacre of the McBain Family in Leone’s "Once Upon a Time in the West." Morricone's score in this haunting iconic scene famously served as inspiration for Isaac Hayes' evocative "Walk on By."
Contemporary cinema has seen the rise of Neo-Westerns, with films like Jeymes Samuel, "The Harder They Fall", Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s - “The Revenant”, and Quinton Tarantino’s, “The Hateful Eight” which have breathed fresh life into this beloved genre, each offering a distinctive and innovative narrative. Meanwhile, television series like "The English", Steven Soderbergh’s, “Godless” and Taylor Sheridan's “Yellowstone” television universe continue to transplant the American myth into new settings.
I will always be of the opinion that the traditional Western, when executed correctly, remains the epitome of what cinema and television should aspire to be. So, do yourself a favour and watch more westerns!
Tapi Nyoni
