The Noir Western

<p> Beginning in the mid-1940s the bleak brooding mood of film noir began seeping into that most optimistic of film genres the western. Story lines took on a darker tone and western films adopted classic noir elements of moral ambiguity complex anti-heroes and explicit violence.</p><p> The noir western helped set the standard for the darker science fiction action and superhero films of today as well as for acclaimed TV series such as HBO's <I>Deadwood<I> and AMC's <I>Breaking Bad</I>. This book covers the stylistic shift in westerns in mid-20th century Hollywood offering close readings of the first noir westerns along with revealing portraits of the eccentric and talented directors who brought the films to life.</p>