This comprehensive study of the Western covers its history from the early silent era to recent spins on the genre in films such as "No Country for Old Men", "There Will Be Blood", "True Grit", and "Cowboys & Aliens". While providing fresh perspectives on landmarks such as "Stagecoach", "Red River", "The Searchers", "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance", and "The Wild Bunch", the authors also pay tribute to many under-appreciated Westerns. "Ride, Boldly Ride" explores major phases of the Western's development, including silent era oaters, A-production classics of the 1930s and early 1940s, and the more psychologically complex portrayals of the Westerner that emerged after World War II. The authors also examine various forms of genre-revival and genre-revisionism that have recurred over the past half-century, culminating especially in the masterworks of Clint Eastwood. They consider themes such as the inner life of the Western hero, the importance of the natural landscape, the roles played by women, the tension between myth and history, the depiction of the Native American, and the juxtaposing of comedy and tragedy. Written in clear, engaging prose, this is the only survey that encompasses the entire history of this long-lived and much-loved genre.

About the Author
Mary Lea Bandy was Director and Chief Curator of the Department of Film and Video at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. She has co-edited several books, including Rediscovering French Film, Jean-Luc Godard: Son + Image, and The Hidden God. Kevin Stoehr is Associate Professor of Humanities at Boston University. He is the author of Nihilism in Film and Television and co-editor of John Ford in Focus.

Reviews
"A fascinating inquiry into how the lowly American Western evolved into one of our most respected and beloved film genres." -- Tom Lavoie Shelf Awareness For Readers "Perceptive, wide-ranging." American History "An in-depth look at the development of the world of Western films from its first silent versions to recent Clint Eastwood movies." -- Kristin Yinger Los Angeles Magazine First-rate film books like this one are like good cookbooks; they tell you what to shop for (in this case on Netflix) and help you savor it. -- Zara Raab SF / Sacramento Book Rev / 1776 Prod "Both encyclopedic and a page turner, which is almost impossible to accomplish ... 'Ride, Boldly Ride' informs, engages and entertains as few books can." -- William David Barry Portland Press Herald "The attraction here is sourdough expertise: the authors have drunk deep of the classics of the genre... If you feel at home in the Hollywood Western, RIDE, BOLDLY RIDE will wrap over you like a warm blanket on a cold night in big sky country." -- Thomas Doherty Cineaste "The authors are authorities in the field of cinema, and their level of analysis is very high. The scope of cinematic knowledge is broad and deep, and the writing is clear and engaging... Highly recommended for all readers." -- R. Ducharme CHOICE



Book Information
ISBN 9780520258662
Author Mary Lea Bandy
Format Hardback
Page Count 344
Imprint University of California Press
Publisher University of California Press
Weight(grams) 590g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 25mm