Paper Topic #2

Paper Topic #2: Critiquing the Historical Imagination in Film

All semester we have been studying the history of the American West and how it has been creatively represented in fiction and film. For this assignment, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned this semester by watching on your own a film about the American West and then historically analyzing it in an essay.

Here are some guidelines for your essay:

1) You must choose one film from the below list and watch it on your own. It cannot be a film you have previously seen or viewed for extra credit this semester. If there is a film that is not on the list that you would like to write about, for example maybe one that was referenced in From Shane to Kill Bill, please ask me for permission to use it before you begin to write your essay.

2) Ideally, only one person in the class will write on a particular film. On April 1 I will pass around a sign-up sheet for everyone in the class to claim which film they have chosen to write on. The films are available at the library, through interlibrary loan or from movie rental or retail stores.

3) In your essay, which has to be at least 5-6 typed, double-spaced pages long, you will historically analyze the film by devising and defending a thesis about it. While outside research is not necessary, you may find it helpful to strengthen your arguments. Its Your Misfortune and class lecture and discussion from this semester will provide you with a strong factual basis to write your essay. From Shane to Kill Bill is also an excellent resource for which you can begin to critically think about your paper.

4) The paper will be due Thursday, April 29th at the beginning of class. Be sure to comply with all standards of professionalism listed in the syllabus.


FILM OPTIONS

• 3:10 to Yuma (Lucas)
• A Fistful of Dollars (Per Un Pugno Di Dollari)
• The Ballad of Cable Hogue
• The Burrowers (Amanda)
• Companeros (Vamos a Matar, Companeros)
• Deadwood (HBO Series-ask for permission and choose 2-3 episodes with clear historical themes to explore in research)
• Duck, You Sucker (Giu' La Testa) (Andrew)
• For A Few Dollars More (Per Qualche Dollaro in Piu) (Nick)
• Fort Apache (Stephanie Beer)
• Hang Em' High (Kara)
• Heartland (Sarah Koepe)
• High Noon (Kim C.)
• High Plains Drifter
• How the West was Won (Maggie)
• Hud (Ellen)
• Joe Kidd (Sam)
• Junior Bonner
• Little Big Man (Dylan)
• The Magnificent Seven (Jackie)
• McCabe and Mrs. Miller
• The Missing (Kelly McGee)
• Navajo Joe
• Ned Kelly (David)
• Open Range (Jeff)
• Ravenous (Kaitlin)
• Ride the High Country (Sarah)
• Ride with the Devil
• Rio Bravo (Jennifer Kahler)
• Seraphim Falls
• Stagecoach ( Kevin)
• The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (Jay)
• The Great Silence (Il grande silenzio) (steven)
• The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (Jon)
• The Outlaw Josey Wales (Johnny Diegel)
• The Proposition (Vince)
• The Shootist (Jesse S)
• There Will Be Blood (Dan)
• Treasure of the Sierra Madre
• True Grit (Alyssa)
• Wild Bill (Alex)
• Wyatt Earp