Stagecoach

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

                Stagecoach was an instant success under the direction John Ford especially for the era in which the movie released defined westerns and made westerns what they are to this day.  The genre of westerns before this film, all merged together it seemed, nothing stood out and nothing broke the mold. John Ford changed this direction for this movie genre now making cowboys an American stereotype.

                John Ford used a B list actor by the name of John Wayne, now an American icon but at the time was still trying to make his name in the movie business. Ford regretted his decision to use Wayne as the start of film production began. He liked the look of John Wayne, but hated the way Wayne acted. Ford consistently pushed Wayne throughout the filming badgering him scene by scene. Although Ford was tough on Wayne, Wayne never reacted to the badgering in a negative way but developed a close relationship with Ford, also ended up working with John Ford 24 times after this film.

2)  Find a related article and summarize the content

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-stagecoach-1939

            Roger Ebert gives a fantastic review on the film, he narrows down the specifics in which make this film a testament to time. Demonstrating what made this film, a worth watch as well as the characters, stating that John Wayne was not the hero of this film. Ebert goes on to say that Wayne was perfect for this role, Being that Wayne was in his early to mid-thirties at the time of filming, he had lost all his boyish charm and had the look like of a strong commanding man perfect for “Ring Kid”.

            Roger Ebert goes on to say that, this movie is strictly to the point. It does not over throw us with its scenes of violence or action. Never overbearing, yet giving the audience the perfect amount of every element. Ebert also mentions the fact that Orson Welles director of Citizen Kane watched Stagecoach over 40 times before filming his motion picture. Ebert stated that Welles if anything adapted the style of editing from John Ford. Roger Ebert gave a fantastic review very detailed.

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

                This article really changed my outlook for this motion picture. I think Roger Ebert is the best of the best when it comes to movie reviews. I have grown much more appreciation for John Ford as a director, and I believe he was much more ahead of his time than any other director was.  John Ford took a genre of movies and raised the bar. Adaptations of this movie now are coming into play present day, in a sense with action as well as story line.

                I also think John Wayne, seen, as the underdog as an actor in my opinion, well deserves the postage stamp with his face. Not just, for this movie, but for the success he gained and the growth he received from John Ford. I just cannot see anyone playing “Ring Kid” after reading this review. I think Roger Ebert brought the look of John Wayne to my attention as the strong man who had the meaningful voice. I also gained a respect for the whole cast, which had to camp out on set for numerous days while filming. John Ford truly defines Western.

4) Write a critical analysis of the film

                John Ford really defines the Western movie Genre, he set the standard, raised the bar to what we see in action movies. Although, westerns tend to be cowboys and Indians to a certain degree, the elements ford  used in this movie such as the wide landscape shots, the dramatic close ups, and the outrageous stunts all become exciting and enticing elements for this picture.

                I have never seen a John Wayne film before the viewing of Stagecoach. May I just say that I can see how John Wayne is given much praise. It is almost hard to tell that John Ford gave Wayne so much badgering when it comes to his acting. Everything about this film screamed excellent. The location was terrific, the cast was complementing and the scenes were not over dramatic nor over the top. The stunts for this movie especially for this period make the film what it is. The apache being killed and then the stagecoach riding over him was the definition of epic, especially knowing there was no CGI back then. You knew this man was risking his life.

                Overall, I think Stagecoach really defines its time. This movie was what I had predicted a traditional western to look. It is everything I hoped a western would be. I think John Ford is a director of his time and this film just solidifies his position. 

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 
1) (X  ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) (X  ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) (X  ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( X ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( X ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) (X  ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) (  X) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) (X  ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: ________________Erik L. Rivera______________________  Date: _______________4/19/2013_____________