John Ford’s STAGECOACH and Howard Hawk’s Red River are two films that with a common theme of vengeance and justice. The Western heroes in these films undergo a battling conflict of private revenge and social justice. Their compelling resolution to this conflict is part of what defines the two characters as western heroes and part how these film directors redefine American Democracy, giving voice to the American myth of, “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
In STAGECOACH Ringo, although he is introduced in the film as a jailbait, he comes off different in the film; he leaves society because he comes to understand the differences between him and society. and even though both he and society share many of the same values, he feels society …show more content…
Due to that he is both the hero and villain. Dunson, a cattleman sets out to find land and build his own civilization, heading to the lawless Western frontier, leaving his wagon train with nothing but a bull, two cows, a wagon and his wing man Groot Nadine by his side and he later adopts an orphan boy name Matt and shows him the excursion to manhood. Dunson’s wholly defines the American meaning of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in his attempt to pursuit something way bigger than he can. He eventually finds a big number of men and his herd grows enormously, he pretty much grows his empire while going on his journey. He becomes the leader, the say so of the group and inevitably the voice of rule and justice for the group. His pursuit is tampered when his ego takes over his compassion. His form of justice becomes more about his men following his rules, even if it’s against their will. Due to his erratic behavior Matt takes over the without Dunson’s permission but he has no control over it because all his men including his wing man Groot decides to go with Matt to a whole new destination and leave Dunson behind. Dunson feels extremely betrayed by Matt and swears the next time he sees him, he will hill him. The motivation he had of pioneering turns into vengeance, now it is not how I’m to get to this land but how I am going to Kill Matt. In the End when Dunson finally meets Matt he overcomes his vengeance with forgiveness. He realizes Matt was just another chapter of himself and they were so much alike. Although Dunson started the journey, Matt’s calling was to finish the
In STAGECOACH Ringo, although he is introduced in the film as a jailbait, he comes off different in the film; he leaves society because he comes to understand the differences between him and society. and even though both he and society share many of the same values, he feels society …show more content…
Due to that he is both the hero and villain. Dunson, a cattleman sets out to find land and build his own civilization, heading to the lawless Western frontier, leaving his wagon train with nothing but a bull, two cows, a wagon and his wing man Groot Nadine by his side and he later adopts an orphan boy name Matt and shows him the excursion to manhood. Dunson’s wholly defines the American meaning of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in his attempt to pursuit something way bigger than he can. He eventually finds a big number of men and his herd grows enormously, he pretty much grows his empire while going on his journey. He becomes the leader, the say so of the group and inevitably the voice of rule and justice for the group. His pursuit is tampered when his ego takes over his compassion. His form of justice becomes more about his men following his rules, even if it’s against their will. Due to his erratic behavior Matt takes over the without Dunson’s permission but he has no control over it because all his men including his wing man Groot decides to go with Matt to a whole new destination and leave Dunson behind. Dunson feels extremely betrayed by Matt and swears the next time he sees him, he will hill him. The motivation he had of pioneering turns into vengeance, now it is not how I’m to get to this land but how I am going to Kill Matt. In the End when Dunson finally meets Matt he overcomes his vengeance with forgiveness. He realizes Matt was just another chapter of himself and they were so much alike. Although Dunson started the journey, Matt’s calling was to finish the