John Wayne is widely regarded as one of the most influential and prolific stars to emerge from the Western genre. His Western films often feature polarizing characters that embody good and evil, with a clear moral throughline. Many Westerns have taken inspiration from Wayne’s style, adhering to traditional structures, settings, and character archetypes.
The 1960 Western “The Magnificent Seven” is a prime example of a John Wayne-style film. Directed by John Sturges, the movie follows a group of gunslingers from diverse backgrounds who band together to aid a Mexican village being threatened by a gang of bandits. The film features a central moral dilemma, as the Magnificent Seven must decide whether to flee the village or return to face off against the bandits, despite knowing it will result in casualties. The characters, like Chris and the other gunslingers, operate as black-and-white archetypes of “good” and “evil.”
Another classic Western that echoes John Wayne’s style is the 1954 film “Johnny Guitar.” Directed by Nicholas Ray, the movie follows Vienna, a saloon owner who is wrongly accused of a bank robbery by a mob led by her nemesis, Emma. Vienna and her lover, Johnny Guitar (Sterling Hayden), operate as the heroes of the film, defending Vienna’s right to lead an independent lifestyle and clearing her name. In contrast, Emma is the villain, fueled by personal jealousy and insecurities. The film’s main action is contained within a small frontier town, giving it a traditional feel. Good ultimately triumphs over evil, as Vienna and Johnny Guitar escape successfully, unscathed.
