Rio Bravo

     I think Howard Hawks’ Rio Bravo definitely fit into the most important parameters of the Western genre. First off, the film obviously took place on the frontier West in America, specifically Texas. The film also contained the commonly used revolvers and shotguns along with spurs, cowboy hats, and saloons. Rio Bravo’s main conflict was a struggle of civilization versus savagery which is the main conflict of most Westerns. John Wayne’s character, Sheriff Chance, along with his companions Dude, Stumpy, and eventually Colorado represent the civilized. Joe Burdette and his brother represent the savages in the film. The story is a constant conflict between these two groups. The Sheriff and his companions eventually arrest the criminals and save the day.

     The film also departs from some of the Western archetypes. Instead of taking place in the vast landscape of the west the film takes place in one town on the frontier. The setting of the film never leaves the town although; you can see the vast countryside in the background of the town sometimes. There was no rescue of the damsel in distress. The woman actually saves the hero at one point by distracting the enemy. The hero of the movie never wavered between good and bad. He was a sheriff who strongly believed in good conquering bad.