ANALYSIS OF STAGECOACH

-Mohd Ruman

Stagecoach screenplay by Dudley Nichols and directed by John Ford is

the western classic released in 1935. The film is considered as a
cinematic masterpiece as it brings forth many trends in its direction
and storytelling.

The film is the culmination of a multi-star cast ensemble storytelling

which changes the dynamics and relationships between characters in the
structure of the story as the story proceeds. The film uses this trope
to subvert attention and create grey characters by switching their
tone from good to bad and vice-versa. It also strikes to include
characters of different job class and social standing. However it
lacked badly with the representation of American Indian as it showed
Indian in a bad light as uncultured, violent species responsible for
war. Also the all out exclusiveness of multi-star cast fails to
impress as it is made up of all white cast and lacked representation
of Indian in its main cast.

The film though is made up of many great sequences which are still
used in cinemas around the world. The entry of the protagonist, the
chase sequence, the plot devices used etc. It also used the studio
projection and on location shooting for the same sequences such as the
chariot scenes.

It uses a plot device called cliff hanger for the sequences such as
the chasing sequence where the bullets ends and the protagonists find
themselves in the midst of failure. Which were later saved by another
plot device called deus ex machina which resulted in miraculous
intervention of soldiers to save them. The story is perfectly divided
into three act structure.

This film also brought the cowboy culture of Texas and Arizona into
the picture of American film genre. This film is regarded as one of
the best textbook films of American cinema.