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Defining the Western genre -

The Western genre in film and TV encompasses stories set in the American Old West, typically in the late 19th century. These tales depict frontier life, the clash between law and order and the lawless, and the individualism of the characters in harsh environment.

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Iconic elements of the Western genre -

Westerns are known for their iconic visual and narrative elements, including cowboys, gunslingers, saloons, horseback riding, shootouts, and the vast, rugged landscapes of the American West. The genre traces its roots to the dime novels of the late 19th century, and gained popularity in the early 20th century through silent films and television.

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Memorable characters in Westerns -

Westerns are known for their memorable characters, ranging from rugged heroes to ruthless villains. These characters have become cultural icons, inspiring countless imitations and adaptations in other media.

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Exploring themes in Westerns -

Westerns often grapple with themes like morality, justice, revenge, and the struggle for survival in harsh, unforgiving landscapes. These films can range from gritty and realistic, to romanticized and idealized, depending on the era they were made and the filmmakers' perspectives.

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The importance of Westerns -

The most significant aspect of the Western genre is its mythic quality, which elevates it to a larger-than-life status. The American West demanded that people rely on their wits, courage, and strength to survive. This setting, along with its characters, has become symbolic of the American spirit of individualism, resilience, and self-reliance.

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So, what is a Spaghetti Western? -

A Spaghetti Western is a unique subgenre of Western films made by Italian filmmakers from the early 1960s to the late ‘70s. Also known, and more respectfully referred to, as western all’italiana, or Italian-style Western, the subgenre reached its peak in the late '60s, gaining worldwide popularity.

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Why are they called Spaghetti Westerns? -

Why Spaghetti Westerns? Simple! These iconic films were crafted almost exclusively in Italy by Italian directors—hence the nod to one of Italy’s famous exports: spaghetti. Despite global imitation, the subgenre remained distinctly Italian, so the quirky name endures.

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The characteristics of a Spaghetti Western -

Spaghetti Westerns often feature anti-heroes with questionable and selfish morals, such as seeking money or revenge, alongside despicable villains representing the worst of humanity. These films are usually set against desert landscapes and shanty towns, subverting traditional Western tropes like identifiable heroes and villains, happy endings, and black-and-white morality.

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Early history of Spaghetti Westerns -

Westerns originated as an American film genre, drawing inspiration from the real Western frontier of the 1800s. They were widely popular during the 1930s, '40s, and '50s. By the 1960s, Westerns had mostly transitioned to television, with one notable show, 'Rawhide', featuring a young Clint Eastwood.

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Italy's cinematic evolution -

Following the Italian Neorealism movement of the 1940s and '50s, Italian cinema shifted to sword-and-sandal epics. These films, set in Greco-Roman periods, were Italy's answer to Hollywood's blockbusters like 'The Ten Commandments' (1956), 'Ben-Hur' (1959), and 'Spartacus' (1960).

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The quiet pioneers of Spaghetti Westerns -

In the midst of Italian Neorealism and epic films, some Italian filmmakers quietly produced Westerns that went largely unnoticed. These weren't particularly special or groundbreaking—just Western-style films shot in Europe. A few of these were Spanish-Italian Westerns, with Spain later becoming a major cofinancier of the subgenre.

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'West and Soda' (1965) -

One notable Western, 'West and Soda,' was an animated parody of the genre. Though work on it began earlier, its 1965 release came a year after the subgenre's breakthrough. This timing sometimes leads to debate about its status as the 'first' Spaghetti Western, causing it to get lost in the shuffle.

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The heyday of Spaghetti Westerns -

The exact 'start' of the Spaghetti Western subgenre is a bit of a mystery, with Italy already dabbling in Westerns before the mid-1960s. But the film that undeniably catapulted these Westerns into global fame is 'A Fistful of Dollars' (1964). Directed by Sergio Leone, scored by Ennio Morricone, and starring Clint Eastwood, this movie became a household name.

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The iconic Dollars Trilogy -

Following 'A Fistful of Dollars,' the Spaghetti Western phenomenon continued with 'For a Few Dollars More' (1965) and the more famous 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' (1966). Together, these films form the iconic Dollars Trilogy that paved the way for the subgenre.

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The iconic Dollars Trilogy -

Each film in the Dollars Trilogy starred Clint Eastwood as the Man with No Name, a drifter fighting off bad guys for money. The trilogy also featured actors like Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach. All would go on to star in more Italian Westerns.

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The boom of Spaghetti Westerns -

After 1964, dozens of Italian Westerns were made every year until at least 1969. Inspired by the Dollars Trilogy, these films showcased anti-heroes with hidden agendas, revenge plots, and plenty of bloodshed.

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Budget-friendly innovations -

These films were often produced on low budgets, easily recouping costs even with modest box-office returns. Emulating the CinemaScope look without anamorphic lenses, many utilized the Techniscope technique. The result was a widescreen image with noticeable film grain, adding to the genre's unique charm.

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Beyond the Dollars Trilogy -

Sergio Leone also directed 'Once Upon a Time in the West' (1968), a film often hailed as one of the best Spaghetti Westerns of all time. This, alongside his Dollars Trilogy, cemented Leone's status as the preeminent Italian director of Spaghetti Westerns.

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Redeeming the Spaghetti Western -

Ironically, the subgenre wasn't well regarded among critics, hence the dismissive term "Spaghetti Westerns". Nevertheless, 'Once Upon a Time in the West' was highly acclaimed at the time and remains recognized as one of the best Western films ever made, Spaghetti or otherwise.

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Sergio Leone and others -

Aside from Leone, two other Sergios made a significant impact on the subgenre. These Italian directors expanded the boundaries of Spaghetti Westerns, challenging the definition by exploring new themes, styles, and narratives.

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The violent and political visionaries -

Sergio Corbucci directed some of the most violent and bleak Westerns, including 'Django' (1966), which kick-started star Franco Nero's career, and 'The Great Silence' (1968), both regarded as absolute classics of the subgenre.

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Sollima's political Zapata Westerns -

Sergio Sollima, the most political of the three Sergios, created films that commented on imperialism and revolutionaries. He famously directed 'The Big Gundown' (1966), 'Face to Face' (1967), and 'Run, Man, Run' (1968). These films belong to the sub-subgenre of Zapata Westerns, which focus on Mexican protagonists.

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The decline of Spaghetti Westerns -

By the 1970s, Spaghetti Westerns had fallen out of favor, most likely because their audience was getting tired of the genre's cinematic tropes. Fewer of these films were being produced, and many of the remaining ones took on a light-hearted, comedic tone.

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The decline of Spaghetti Westerns -

Among these films were 'They Call Me Trinity' (1970) and its follow-up 'Trinity Is Still My Name' (1971), the latter becoming the most financially successful Italian Western of all time. Although still enjoyed by die-hard fans, these films differed from their predecessors, and the subgenre soon died out in the late '70s.

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The enduring legacy of Spaghetti Westerns -

But the Spaghetti Western subgenre never truly vanished. Over 20 years after the original, Franco Nero, star of 'Django,' reprised his role in 'Django Strikes Again' (1987). This film stands as the only official sequel amidst the numerous 'Django'-themed movies that followed the original.

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Eastwood's continued Western legacy -

Clint Eastwood continued his Western film journey with 'The Outlaw Josey Wales' in 1976 and 'Unforgiven' in 1992, cementing his legacy in the genre.

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Revisionist Westerns -

'The Outlaw Josey Wales' was a key film in the Revisionist Western subgenre, which emerged around the same time as Spaghetti Westerns. Also known as Anti-Western or Post-Western, these films, like their Italian counterparts, rejected and subverted traditional Western tropes, characters, and plotlines, creating movies that questioned the very nature of the genre.

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The lasting influence on modern cinema -

Due to their low budgets and cult status, Spaghetti Westerns have significantly influenced mainstream and popular directors like Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. These directors have incorporated elements of Spaghetti Westerns into their own films, such as 'Django Unchained' (2012) and 'Desperados' (1995).

Sources: (StudioBinder) (Italy Segreta) (No Film School) (The Spaghetti Western Database)

See also: Blaxploitation cinema revisited

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