Few film genres have had such a lasting impact and appeal as the Western, and it’s not hard to understand why. The classic Western contains all of the basics of theatrical storytelling: good guys and bad guys, dramatic chase scenes and hairbreadth escapes, showdowns and shootouts, honor and vengeance, and wild, open country that can be breathtaking – or deadly. Our class will look at all these components as well as a familiar list of standard characters that were essential to every good Western. Beginning with the earliest films of the silent movie era, we will continue through the big budget films of Hollywood and the popular shows that once dominated the television screen. We will also look at the “anti-hero” of revisionist westerns that appeared in the mid-to-late twentieth century and revitalized the genre at a time when it seemed to be fading away. Finally, we will look at current forms of westerns that stream into our homes and maintain the popularity of the Western film genre.