When comparing Day of the Outlaw to the other films assigned or any other western for that matter, one finds themselves contemplating its legitimacy in the era. It is considered an unusual Western of its time, right on the brink of the civil rights movement. The women in this film regress from their previous advancement in revisionist films back to being treated as inanimate objects.
As the film progresses, we see a band of outlaws invade the small town of Bitters, led by Jack Bruhn, a former cavalry officer. The outlaws take the town hostage while running from the law. In the ensuing scenes, they capture the women forcing them to attend the “Saturday” night dance. This party demonstrates the demeanor towards women and their inability to defend themselves. The women are seen constantly trying to fight off the vulgar advances of the outlaws. Bouncing back and forth between the men, the women are no longer viewed as human beings with emotions but rather objects available to all men for sexual gratification.
The main woman character, Helen Crane, represents the beginning of the feminist movement. She resists the crude advancement of one outlaw at the dance, instead spending time with Jack Bruhn, who seems to show some respect towards the women. Helen, however, uses her body to get what she wants. She offers herself to one of the outlaws in attempts to save her husband’s life. Helen realizes her place as an object for sexual release and uses it to her advantage. This thought process is the beginning of women going after their rights.
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As concerns women as "other," this is an odd film. What do you make of the attitude(s) toward women? From a cultural studies standpoint, what ideas about women are played out? Explain with examples.
ReplyDeleteWhen comparing Day of the Outlaw to the other films assigned, or any other western for that matter, one finds themselves contemplating its legitimacy in the era. It is considered an unusual Western of its time, right on the brink of the civil rights movement. The women in this film regress from their previous advancement in revisionist films back to being treated as inanimate objects.
As the film progresses, we see a band of outlaws invade the small town of Bitters, led by Jack Bruhn, a former cavalry officer. The outlaws take the town hostage while running from the law. In the ensuing scenes, they capture the women, forcing them to attend the “Saturday” night dance. This party demonstrates the demeanor towards women and their inability to defend themselves. The women are seen constantly trying to fight off the vulgar advances of the outlaws. Bouncing back and forth between the men, the women are no longer viewed as human beings with emotions but rather objects available to all men for sexual gratification.
The main woman character, Helen Crane, represents the beginning of the feminist movement. She resists the crude advancement of one outlaw at the dance, instead spending time with Jack Bruhn, who seems to show some respect towards the women. Helen, however, uses her body to get what she wants. She offers herself to one of the outlaws in attempts to save her husband’s life. Helen realizes her place as an object for sexual release and uses it to her advantage. This thought process is the beginning of women exercising their rights, which mimics the beginning of the feminist movement.