John Ford's Westerns - by William Darby (Paperback)

About the Book

John Fords early Westerns reflect an optimistic view of society and individual capacity; as his thematic vision evolved, he became more resigned to the limitations of humanity. His thematic evolution was evident in other films, but was best shown in his Westerns, with their stark depictions of the human condition. Fords sound Westerns and his major silent films are compared in this work, revealing how his creative genius changed over time. A complete filmography of Fords Westerns is also provided.

Book Synopsis

John Ford's early Westerns reflect an optimistic view of society and individual capacity; as his thematic vision evolved, he became more resigned to the limitations of humanity. His thematic evolution was evident in other films, but was best shown in his Westerns, with their stark depictions of the human condition. Ford's sound Westerns and his major silent films are compared in this work, revealing how his creative genius changed over time. A complete filmography of Ford's Westerns is also provided.

Review Quotes

"the author explores [Ford's great] achievement and provides detailed lists of Ford's themes"-Choice; "worthwhile"-Western Clippings; "enough depth and detail to satisfy even the most devoted Ford fan. Darby brings the tools of a literary critic to bear on the films, exhaustively cataloging and extensively analyzing plot devices, characters, thematic elements, and musical motifs as well as strictly cinematic elements such as framing, camera angles, and pacing. Darby's analysis is sure-footed...wide-ranging, fine-grained analysis"-Film and History; "a must"-Wrangler's Roost; "detailed"-Canyon News; "directs our attention to many things we may have forgotten or overlooked...worthy"-Cult Movies; "readable and accessible...a rewarding book"-Past Times.

About the Author

William Darby professes English in Detroit. He is also the author of Deconstructing Major League Baseball, 1991-2004 (2006).