The National Myth

Paper Summary:

The paper examines the films "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" and "Red River" and claims that one can realize the false mythos of American past that sought to redefine a far more glorious history of the Old West. The paper points out that in actuality, the historical use of gun fighting was low in relation to the greater degree of violence caused by wars and Indian battles. The paper discusses that the myth of the gunfighter may be a popular iconic view of life after World War II, but surely it does define a true and historic national vision for America in the 19th century.

From the Paper:

"The scope of this film and historical study will present the facets of western film making, which do not coincide with the actual precedents of gun fighting in nationalistic Hollywood adaptations of the Old West. By examining the film "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" (1962) and "Red River" (1948) one can present the genre of the gunfighter in film genre, but the national aspects of America were founded on differing historical principles. In essence, the rarity of gun fighting or dueling was a localized and rare phenomenon, which does explain accurately the manner in which America was founded in the Old West."

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