Review of Unforgiven (1992) by Simon G — 11 Aug 2016

Clint Eastwood's final western, still to this day and what a glorious send off to the genre that made him it is. Retired killer William Munny is now leading a peaceful life, after being reformed by the love of his late wife, struggling to raise his two children and run his farm. When he's paid a visit by a young man calling himself "The Schofield Kid" asking for help in the killing of two cowboys who have cut up a prostitute for a cut of a $1000 bounty he reluctantly agress bringing along his old gunslinging partner Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman). Heading out to the town of Big Whisky the trio soon discover that the two cowboys aren't their only troubles as the corrupt Sheriff of Big Whisky, Little Bill Daggett (played by Gene Hackman) and his henchman look after their own.

What makes 'Unforgiven' a cut above the usual western is its dealing with the myths of the Old West, blurring the lines between the usually well divided heroes and villians. This is done largely through the character of W.W. Beauchamp, a writer accompanying and writing the autobiography of famous gunslinger English Bob who himself has come to Big Whisky for the bounty. In one pivotal scene Little Bill de-mystifies the legend of English Bob and in doing so, the wild west myth itself, to Beauchamp with his re-telling of a classic showdown in which English Bob supposedly killed another cowboy who carried two guns.

Winning four of a nominated nine Oscars aswell as receiving many more nominations and awards around the world 'Unforgiven' is the perfect western, many years after the genres heyday. Eastwood's direction is solid through-out and writer David Webb People's script tells a complex and delicate story with all the classic touches and nods to the genre aswell as commenting on the mythology behind an exaggerated and glamourised time in American history.