But a genre in which description and dialogue are lean, and the landscape spectacular is clearly better suited to a visual medium. Western movies, usually filmed on location in desolate corners of Arizona, Utah, Wyoming or Colorado, made the landscape not just a vivid backdrop but essentially a character in the movie.
In film, the western traces its roots back to "[The Great Train Robbery]?" directed by [Edwin S. Porter]?. In the United States, the western has had an extremely rich history that spans many genres (comedy, drama, tragedy, parody, musical, etc.)
During the 1960s and 1970s, there was a considerable revival with the "Spaghetti Westerns" or "Italo-Westerns", most notably those directed by [Sergio Leone]?. These tended to be fairly low-budget affairs, shot in locations principally chosen for the cheapness of shooting film, and are characterised by high-action and violent content. [Clint Eastwood]? became famous starring in these films, although they were also to provide a showcase for other such considerable talents as [Lee van Cleef]?, [James Coburn]?, and [Klaus Kinski]?.
The western genre has been parodied on a number of occasions, famous examples being [Support Your Local Sherriff]?, and Mel Brooks' classic Blazing Saddles, perhaps the final word on the subject.
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