Roast Beef Western - a British contribution to an American genre
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The roast beef western: a distinctly British contribution to a very American genre
Wed 16 October 2024 11:00, UK
The western is one of few genres that feels irrevocably linked to a certain country; in this case, America. The genre brings to mind John Wayne riding on horseback through the dusty Wild West or Clint Eastwood displaying the ultimate vision of masculinity. While Italian westerns have also been very successful, it is hard to separate the genre from images of the American frontier.
However, there is a long history of westerns being made by British filmmakers and producers, although very few have actually become successful. These have become known as ‘roast beef westerns’, a term coined by Sheldon Hall. It seems as though the English countryside just doesn’t work as well as a backdrop for western stories, resulting in most British western movies taking place in other countries, like Spain. It is a shame that British filmmakers haven’t taken full advantage of the genre, which certainly could be adapted to work within the country’s limitations – whether through a modern interpretation or a historical setting.
In fact, the first western ever made emerged from England. In 1899, the short film Kidnapping By Indians was made in Blackburn, which paved the way for future entries into the genre. It explored the kidnapping of a young girl by a group of Native American people, resulting in a fight with some cowboys. While the racial politics are problematic, it is clear to see that this has evidently been an issue since the beginning of the western genre.
Most westerns made with British funding or actors have failed to reach half the heights of their American or Italian counterparts, although many featured well-known stars. Take Shakalo, starring Sean Connery and Brigitte Bardot, which critics weren’t particularly sold on. While it was relatively popular upon its release, it has hardly endured within the western genre. Other roast beef westerns that failed to make much of an impact include Diamond City and The Trap, with the latter starring Oliver Reed and Rita Tushingham.
It seems that putting British people into western situations just doesn’t work as well as when Americans do it. There is too much self-awareness and humour that doesn’t pair easily with the dramatism, patriotism, and seriousness that come with many American westerns. As a result, British attempts at Westerns often feel rather inauthentic.
With that being said, the western genre might not have developed in the way it did without the influence of British cinema, as evidenced by Kidnapping By Indians and The Savage Guns, which is often dubbed the first proper spaghetti western. While it starred an American and Spanish cast, it was written, directed, and produced by a predominantly British crew.
Still, there are very few British western movies that have actually become memorable pieces of cinema. Some fans of the ‘70s horror movie Witchfinder Generalconsider it a western, and it is not hard to see why. While it doesn’t have the same backdrop as American versions of the genre, its themes of revenge and horse riding are surely enough to make it a great example of a British interpretation of the western genre.
It appears that most British westerns have ended up being parodies of the genre, as evidenced by Carry On Cowboy from the infamous film series starring Sid James and the late ‘30s comedy The Frozen Limits. Clearly, westerns have thrived more as a serious genre in America and Italy.
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