YOUNG GUNS
US, 1988, 107 minutes, Colour.
Emilio Estevez, Charlie Sheen, Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Philips, Dermot Mulroney, Terence Stamp, Jack Palance.
Directed by Christopher Cain.
Young Guns was an attempt to revive interest in the western in the late '80s. It is rather grim, as a group of young wanderers challenge a group of killers and the law - with much gunning. It centres on young Billy the Kid (played by Emilio Estevez as a daredevil psychopath) and features Kiefer Sutherland and Charlie Sheen as more balanced members of the group. Jack Palance is right at home as the smiling, ruthless villain. Terrene Stamp plays the aristocratic Tunstall whose death occasions the conflict. The film has its moments, perhaps commenting on the young in modern, greedy, violent America. But it is downbeat action. Direction is by Christopher Cain (That Was Then, This Is Now, The Principal).
1.A portrait of the West? The tradition of the western? A revival in the '80s?
2.The legends about Billy the Kid and other outlaws? Myth, truth? The parallels with the '80s and youth? Authority?
3.The title, the focus on the youth, on the violence, the guns? In society?
4.Tunstall and the boys, his aristocratic manner, his place in the West, his wealth? Taking the boys in, saving them, educating them? The violence? His being killed?
5.Murphy and his hold over the town, on Sheriff Brady, the murder of Tunstall, the pressure on the law? Murphy and his wealth, arrogance, henchmen? His relationship with China? The law, the army, the final confrontation? His violent death?
6.The portrait of the law, Sheriff Brady and his stances? The army and its attack on the young men? Alex as a lawyer, his stance, the siege, his wife, his brutal death?
7.Emilio Estevez as William Bonney: tough, on the road, age, killer? The encounter with Tunstall? The meal and his arrogant manner with the others? Tough, his relating with the group? Work on the farm, the pigs? The death of Tunstall, his violent flare-up, the ambush, the shooting and the revenge? The group as Regulators? Their official status? Beliefs, work as a group? The camaraderie, youthfulness, going to the Indians, the drug experience (and the soundtrack with their voices)? The arrival of Buckshot Roberts and the confrontation, William and his wiliness and killing Buckshot? The death of Richard? The decisions made, the clash with Doc, going to the town, the build-up to the siege, the occupation of the house, trying to save Alex and his wife? The fierceness of the battle, his escape? His subsequent reputation and death? A portrait of Billy the Kid?
8.The contrast with Richard, his place in the group, serious-minded, his assuming leadership of the Regulators, the clashes with William? The law, revenge? The confrontation with Buckshot Roberts and his death?
9.Doc as a serious member of the group, with Tunstall? His infatuation with China, meeting her, going away, trying to take her with him, his return? His injury? The leadership of the group? The siege, his survival?
10.Chavez and his story, the persecution of the Indians, his hostile attitude, Tunstall saving him? The clashes with the members of the group, especially Steve? His skill with horses? The Indian experience? The siege, his going away, enabling them to escape?
11.Steve, ugly and dirty, his prejudices, place in the group, cantankerous? Violent? His death?
12.Charlie and his youthfulness, raucous, the girlfriend, his following the others, going to the siege, being urged on to fight, his death?
13.Familiar material, the different style of treatment, action sequences, the law and violence - and the American heritage?
