Stagecoach

1. Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

The focus of this week is the Western genre. Western genre usually focuses on a wandering cowboy or gunfighter who ends up usually having a showdown. In the film, Stagecoach that is the same case. This is the story of the Ringo Kid and everyone else he encounters. He is a fugitive who is searching for Luke Plummer in Lordsburg. In the end, they have a showdown and Luke Plummer s killed. Kid is arrested and the Western film is over.

2. Find a related article (on the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, etc.) and summarize the content.

The article, 'Stagecoach' remains a film masterpiece by Larry Robinson praises John Ford. Robinson talks about where Ford is from and where he got his start. Ford started with "Birth of a Nation" as an extra with D.W. Griffith. Robinson continues to talk about the other great accomplishments that Ford has done in film. Apparently, no one supported 'Stagecoach' except the screenwriter, Dudley Nichols and John Ford himself. Although no one supported him, Ford was already respected in the film industry and therefore decided to go forward with 'Stagecoach' on his own. He got a script, budget and cast of known and unknown actors.

Nichols and Ford did not like too much dialogue so they used the same basic format for this film as they did previous silent films. Ford also had a very controversial moment. He decided to use actual Native Americans to play Native Americans which was frowned upon in this time period. The audience appreciated the way the film was shot with the races across the flats. "It's the chase across the flats that keeps audiences enthralled by "Stagecoach." Ford put his camera beneath the racing coach, so we get the awesome rush of raging hoofbeats passing right over our heads." The dangerous stunts that were done were done by a rodeo champion named, Yakima Canutt. "Admiral John Ford made 140 films, but if all he's remembered for is "Stagecoach," hey, how bad is that?"

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/entertainment/movies/2014/09/11/reel-film-larry-robinson-john-ford/15407035/

3. Apply the article to the film screened in class.

Learning that John Ford wanted 'Stagecoach' and didn't have much support shows in the film. It's shown by how successful it is. This film was one of his babies. He casted, known and unknown actors for his film. A lot of the time, big named directors do not cast unknown actors. They work with only the best, but John Ford decided that he wanted John Wayne as his star and he made it happen. Ford was dedicated to making 'Stagecoach' great, even if that meant doing it alone.

4. Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.
Personally, I admire John Ford's dedication. He was not supported on this film, but he did it anyway. He had unknown actors, real Native Americans, a stunt devil, nice camera angles and sound effects. To think that he started it off with a silent film feel of not too much dialogue and it coming out the way that it did is amazing. I liked this film, a lot. I found it interesting that almost all of the characters were social pariahs, yet they had redeeming qualities that made me pity them.