John Ford’s acclaimed film The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) is well-known among cinema buffs

Sociologists concern themselves with social relations among individuals and groups within a particular society (Luton, 2015), so a sociologist would find this movie interesting because when analyzed through a sociological point of view it provides various examples of socialization,

John Ford built a standard that many future directors would follow with his classic 1939 film “Stagecoach”. Although there were a plethora of western films made before 1939, the film “Stagecoach” revolutionized the western genre by elevating the genre from a “B” film into a more serious genre. The film challenged not only western stereotypes but also class divisions in society. Utilizing specific aspects of mise-en-scène and cinematography, John Ford displays his views of society.

‘The Searchers,’ the 1956 cinematic classic, is widely considered a ‘true American masterpiece of filmmaking, and the best, most influential, and perhaps most-admired film of director John Ford’ . Starring famed Western actor, John Wayne, the films consists of several themes, including the American identity, the opposition between civilization, and the contrast between the untamed frontier wilderness and the civilised, family unit, focused around the protagonist, Ethan Edwards. This central character is shrouded in mystery, posing many questions around his previous whereabouts, dealings, and relationships, particularly with his sister-in-law, Martha. After a tribe of natives massacred his family, Edwards begins his lengthy search for his captured nieces, wishing to avenge their murder and kidnap by murdering Indian chief, Scar. The plot of the film is extremely complex; a vivid sub-plot is illustrated by Ford using primarily non-verbal methods e.g. symbolism, music and cinematic devices. His actions, introduced within the opening scenes, brings the audience to question the traditional idea of the American hero, distinguishing itself from other Western films.

This movie is a great example of social groups, leadership, culture, norms, society, nature and nurture, and social lives. This movie represents how the American culture chooses our social class in society. Some sociologists believed that lifestyle choices are an important influence on our social class position (Giddens, 209). Our class position is the way we dress, where we eat, where we sleep, and how we relax (Giddens,

One of the main points in this movie is referred to an ethical problem, called Social perception. Social perception is what it shapes the way that we interact with each other and how our attitude is formed towards

Growth is a strong component that symbolises how the human condition can be shaped to become today’s society’s perception of moral standards through generations; this is clearly represented through the film’s change between the teenagers of the 1950s and the 20th century eras.

     This film presents an individual that chooses not to conform to modern society, and the consequences of that choice. The main character

This essay is based on films of the same story, told in different ways, with emphasis, themes, meaning and interpretation shaped or shaded by the situation of the storyteller; the cinematic mise-en-scene. Based on the same story, the films reveal and reflect the film-maker’s social norms and views, emerging from their different national contexts. While exploring the two films, this essay will examine elements of film language or semiotics: color saturation (or black and white), sound, setting, type of camera angles used; repetition of visual motifs (Metz, 1985). The two films explored were made in the 1960s. Neither film is American, yet both reveal influences and reflections on American cinema and American power; the Western film, adherence or detracting from Hollywood Classical cinema tropes, i.e. close-ups, shot-reverse-shot, POV, depth of field (Bazin, 1985: 128-9). The two films are Kurasawa’s Yojimbo (1961) and Leone’s Fistful of Dollars (1964), from Japan and Italy, respectively. How are they different; how similar? Why do they use the same plot,

Kennedy, Burt. "Burt Kennedy Interviews John Ford" Directors in Action: Selections from ACTION. Ed. Bob Thomas. New York: Bobbs-Merrill, 1973. 133-137

Although viewers have their prejudices on film adaptations, they normally attack the structure of the story, exclaiming that film did not stay faithful to the original story; only when a role is poorly cast do the scrutinizing viewers point out the acting. In some cases, however, the actor’s performance is so precise that it, in itself, carries the

For what is arguably the most successful film to emerge from his long spanning career, film director John Ford’s The Searchers has certainly earned its place as ‘one of the greatest western films of all time’. However, while the film is certainly a staple among other classic 1950s productions, the genre of Western film does not carry nearly as much weight as it once did over half a century ago. In recent decades, the genre has grown stale among audiences due to more recent additions, composing of tedious storylines, repetitive run-of-the-mill characters, and as a whole becoming incongruous with the evolved social climate which pursues racial equality in the United States. Being grouped with this genre, The Searchers is often overlooked by

When one examines a work of art, context often casts the work in a radically different light. Art does not exist in a vacuum, and nearly every work of art is influenced both by its surrounding environment, and comments or critiques upon that environment. Since its inception, film has been a widely accessible venue for these critiques and often serve as time capsules of what people from a certain time and place thought about the world. Not only that, but film also marks different shifts in political and social attitudes that shape the course of history. But how are these attitudes communicated to the audience, and how did the filmmakers come to believe them? By examining several great Hollywood films over a span of three decades, the answer

Needless to say, the most impressive scenario is near end of this movie. Young players got their certification from the president and dismissed one by one, with tears. The young actors accurately showed emotions of dismissed students. They should have graduated and worked as a military one day, but due to that scandal, all promising future disappeared. We could easily feel the cruelty from that scenario and begin to think of the importance of righteous, especially for army in 1950s. Some people may also think it is too strict for them, so it is hard for present people to empathize for them. With increasing modernization and commercialization, wealth is always at the first place in several people’s dictionary, leading honesty. However, nowadays we should still try to be honest in our daily life. From

Every society has its own expectations on how people ought to act, in addition members of the upper class are frequently given preferential treatment because of their wealth and influence in important matters. This elevated status creates a hierarchy in society and enforces societal norms that pressures people to conform to a specific set of values and beliefs depending on their social status to appease society. Problems arise if an individual attempts to resist conforming as it creates a disruption in society’s attempt to regulate and control people. The course material from this semester has had the common theme of highlighting how there are different cultures, how there are different interpretations of events and how characters feel trapped in their lives because of the pressure to conform to a specific culture which creates unhappiness. Each country has their own set of beliefs, attitudes and customs but all societies share a common goal of pressuring people to conform to ensure stability and to limit some individual thinking.

There are many family films out there that portray the important fundamentals and morals for children to perceive such as values in caring for your family, or values in education, or even the equality and equity we struggle with. Parents and guardians need to take stand in focusing on the messages in the films our children are watching, and fill their minds with the positive messages in this world. Children should not be learning to develop an animosity or bias on cultures or nationalities, or high or low classes, they should be focusing on the lesson to love everyone equally, and treating every person the same, and with the respect as they deserve. This film portrays an unrealistic realization for kids and it is causing a negative outlook on their own ideologies and views in society. This film proves many apprehensions and reasoning in why it is an appropriate film for kids to be watching, and it is very important we stop filling their minds with this logic, and start filling their minds with the true importance and morals in life, encountering them with a positive outlook on the