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The filming of the West
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 15, 2020
Tuska's views on film are, read today, strikingly singular. Certainly, none would dare to express his views on D. W. Griffith's controversial epic, namely that it was a misunderstood masterpiece intended as an indictment of the racial hatred it was accused of championing. In any case I found this book refreshing and it is undeniably a great source not only on the development of the western genre but on the early history of the American film industry. Indeed it has become clear, after reading this, that the two are inseparably linked. The books factual errors are unfortunate but it's clear that Tuska was working mainly from biased personal accounts and this does serve to say something about the figures he is writing about. A must read for cinephiles and western movies aficionados.
August 16, 2025
This author writes good books on vintage film history, going back from the silent days, to about the 1970s.
This particular book, focusing on the film history of westerns, mostly is about the silent days, and so-called “be westerns”, a.k.a. “Oaters”.
But there seems to be so much missing. He has two mentions of the great Audie Murphy! It’s barely a footnote. This is a guy who made a whole bunch of westerns, a few of which were really great, and he was the most decorated war hero from World War II.
To be fair, the author does stay at the beginning of the book, and pretty much carries it out throughout, that this book is about his experience with westerns. Hence, a lot of the stuff is about western movie stars that he personally interviewed and knew. So it’s not a comprehensive history of the filming of the West.
It is, however, a very good view of it from one man’s experience, understanding, study, and love of the genre.
Definitely worth reading, and getting a copy, especially if you can find it for about the price I got one for, under $20.
This particular book, focusing on the film history of westerns, mostly is about the silent days, and so-called “be westerns”, a.k.a. “Oaters”.
But there seems to be so much missing. He has two mentions of the great Audie Murphy! It’s barely a footnote. This is a guy who made a whole bunch of westerns, a few of which were really great, and he was the most decorated war hero from World War II.
To be fair, the author does stay at the beginning of the book, and pretty much carries it out throughout, that this book is about his experience with westerns. Hence, a lot of the stuff is about western movie stars that he personally interviewed and knew. So it’s not a comprehensive history of the filming of the West.
It is, however, a very good view of it from one man’s experience, understanding, study, and love of the genre.
Definitely worth reading, and getting a copy, especially if you can find it for about the price I got one for, under $20.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews