These Are Hands Down the Coolest 5 Minutes in a John Wayne Western

The big picture

• The prominent role of John Wayne in
  Diligence
  he consolidated his status as an emblematic actor of western cinema.
• Wayne and John Ford's collaboration spanned decades, resulting in classic films such as
  The Seekers
  i
  The man who shot Liberty Valance.
• Diligence
  featured dynamic characters, which established Wayne as a strong performer and iconic screen hero.

Although he is known as the most iconic western film actor of all time, John WayneThe road to stardom was not as easy as it seemed. Wayne spent many years working in low-budget and largely forgettable westerns in the early 1930s, and didn't even have a say in the stage name that was chosen for him. However, it only made sense that Wayne's breakout role would come within the film that revitalized the Western genre, inspiring a wave of imitators during Hollywood's Golden Age. 1939 Diligence it's not just one of the best westerns ever made, though the film that established Wayne as the star of a generation.

Wayne certainly couldn't be accused of not trying to break into the Western genre, but early films like The Great Route it just didn't give him a chance to prove his merits as a leading man. Despite this, Diligence it was a lofty production, coming from the Academy Award-winning filmmaker John Ford. The pair then began a partnership that lasted decades, resulting in classics like The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Searchers, The Long Voyage Home, 3 Godfathersi Donovan's Reef among others. However, Wayne's introduction to Diligence it remains one of the most interesting presentations in film history.

What is 'Stagecoach'?

Western cinema certainly did not begin in the 1930s, as even the silent film era included narrative features about gunslingers, outlaws, and the American Wild West. Despite this, Diligence it was groundbreaking because it chose to depict a more realistic version of America's past, taking note of the familiar archetypes that were common within the era. The film focuses on the passengers of a coach traveling from Tonto, Arizona Territory, to Lordsburg, New Mexico. Along for the ride is prostitute Dallas (Claire Trevor), alcoholic Don Boone (Thomas Mitchell), Southern aristocrat Lucy Mallory (Louise Platt), and shady whiskey salesman Samuel Peacock (Donald Meek), as well as the driver Buck (Andy Devine). Tensions arise due to the group's differing social views, but the stakes are raised once the coach begins to fend off attacks from Native American war parties roaming the territory.

Diligence does a great job of building Wayne's revelation. At first, his character, known only as “The Ringo Kid”, is only mentioned briefly, with an aura of mystique surrounding his backstory. Kid is rumored to be a hero of unimaginable proportions who has killed many enemies in combat. This created anticipation for Wayne's appearance and thankfully he did not disappoint. The Kid emerges on screen in a glorious shot where Ford gets a close-up of Wayne's face; this comes as a stark contrast to the wider shots detailing the oppressive western landscape. Considering this Diligence was shot in the Arizona Valley, the boldness of Wayne's features stand out in comparison.

Wayne is immediately identified as playing a complex character. One of the reasons for this Diligence so revolutionary was that it avoided the clean identification of “heroes” and “villains” that was common in Western films of the time; all passengers have a somewhat dubious ethical position. However, it was still important for Ford to identify a central protagonist that the audience could rally around. Wayne's shot emerging from distance gives it an almost superhuman quality. Although he is arrested almost immediately after we meet him, his characterization is handled with nuanced care. This level of authenticity and intensity would come to define Wayne's work in the next stage of his career.

'Stagecoach' ushered in the Western Renaissance

The most important attribute of Diligence it was his dynamic characters. With so many moving pieces, the film still finds ways to create distinct personalities throughout the entire adventure. Enemies are suggested to be ever-present, forcing all characters to open up to each other and become more vulnerable. It is very telling that even when faced with danger, the Boy maintains his chivalrous attitude. Wayne had indicated that the character was willing to risk life and limb for peers he barely knew; Even when the other passengers on the coach look to him for advice, the boy does not buckle under the weight of expectations. It is remarkable that Wayne, who was still quite young at the time DiligenceThe launch of, was able to convey such strong leadership skills.

Diligence it also established the fundamental qualities audiences wanted from Westerns. Since the backdrop of the American frontier seemed beyond any form of law or civilization, it made sense that some of the characters would be intriguing and compelling. Still, Wayne's first appearance remains the film's most iconic shot. It would become an inspiration for the instruction of other great heroes of the cinema, such as now Harrison Fordis Indiana Jones a Raiders of the Lost Ark i Sean Conneryit's james bond Dr. No.

'Stagecoach' established John Wayne as an iconic hero

Diligence it was the first of many western roles for Wayne, who became a champion of the genre for more than four decades. The kid proved to be a difficult character to replicate, leading Wayne to take on a few darker roles that changed his image. One of the reasons for this Howard Hawks'epic western Red River landed with such impact is that the public was surprised to see Wayne in such a malevolent role; he had bonded so closely with the Boy that any deviation was considered quite discordant.

While the film's depiction of Native American characters has rightly caused some backlash, Diligence it holds up very well compared to other classic westerns. The drive and dialogue feels very modern. While Ford's direction is the reason the film is timeless, it was Wayne's star power that ensured it Diligence would be well remembered.

Diligence is streaming on Prime Video in the US

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