The Western film genre has become a cultural phenomenon. It was exceedingly popular between the 1940s and 1960s, formulating a concrete and recognizable formula we see in most Western movies today. That formula is typically a fight of good versus evil that ends in a gunfight between the protagonist and the antagonist. Sometimes, the sheriff is corrupt. Sometimes, there is a love interest involved. It’s a versatile formula, and although the genre’s popularity has decreased over the decades, it’s still alive today in modern Westerns like Yellowstone.
Yet when it comes to Westerns during the last few decades, it’s hard to argue that anything tops Clint Eastwood’s 1992 masterpiece, Unforgiven. It was a massive hit during awards season, winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, and so on. This film takes that standard Western formula in a different direction, bringing out the darker side of the genre. What makes this film stand out compared to other Westerns and one of Eastwood’s best movies?
The Plot of Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven
So, what exactly is the story behind Unforgiven? This 1992 Western film is about two groups of gunfighters who come to collect a reward for the murder of a pair of cowboys in Big Whiskey, Wyoming. A prostitute named Delilah (Anna Thompson) was disfigured by the cowboys, so the brothel she works at posted the bounty. One gunfighter group is led by retired bandit William Munny (Clint Eastwood), while the other is led by English Bob (Richard Harris). As these two groups clash against one another for the reward, the sheriff of the town, Little Big Daggett (Gene Hackman), despises any form of vigilantism. Of course, not only did Eastwood star in the hit film, but he directed it as well.
Why is Unforgiven so good? For one, it had a stellar lead cast. You can’t go wrong with a Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman duo in a film. The two have great chemistry on the big screen and are good friends in real life. In addition, Gene Hackman is such a versatile actor. One minute, you see him in a comedy film; the next, he’s a villain in an action movie. He was the perfect choice to play the corrupt sheriff in town. And there is a good reason this movie won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. It’s a visually stunning piece with fantastic cinematography, emphasizing the brutality of the West instead of romanticizing it.
Unforgiven Is One of Clint Eastwood’s Best Westerns
As far as Western films go, Unforgiven is definitely one of Eastwood’s best in terms of starring and directing. He was 61 years old during the filming of this movie, which is ironic considering the average retirement age today is between 60 and 65. Eastwood’s character is a retired criminal who temporarily comes out of retirement for one last showdown. But it’s not for glory or to relive the good old days. He’s simply a widowed father who owns a failing hog farm, trying to get the bounty reward for his kids. That said, if not for Eastwood’s 2021 film Cry Macho, Unforgiven would have been his last Western genre film.
But was William Munny a real person? The character was slightly historically accurate and somewhat based on a real person. We say slightly because, through and through, Eastwood’s character is entirely fiction. The screenplay of Unforgiven was inspired by the 1975 Western book The Shootist, whose main character was loosely based on a real person named John Wesley Hardin (1853-1895). Hardin was one of the most infamous and dangerous killers in Texas, killing at least 22 men in gunfights and ambushes. This deadly outlaw could have likely inspired Munny and his past. He is also somewhat based on Cullen Baker, another ruthless killer who led a gang in Tennessee that terrorized Union soldiers and innocents.
Suffice it to say, Unforgiven is one of those films of the 20th century that still holds up today as a great Western film, a great Clint Eastwood movie, and an overall enthralling picture. It redefines what the Western genre can be while still maintaining its formula. It had an incredible cast, dark themes of violence and forgiveness, beautiful cinematography, and a great script. It’s almost the perfect Western movie of today. It was even selected in 2004 to be preserved in the United States National Film Registry, as it was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” This film also served as a comeback for Eastwood after some failed projects in the past. If you’re looking for a great Western film, look no further than Unforgiven. Unforgiven is available to stream on Tubi.