Representation of the West Dead Man (Jarmusch, 1995)

Having watched Dead Man (Jarmusch, 1995) A revisionist Western starring Johnny Depp, consider the following.

How does this film represent the period of the Old West in terms of messages and values?

Representation of the West Dead Man (Jarmusch, 1995)

Film shot in black and white, the grim and squalid nature of life in the west emphasised. Distorted electric guitar conveys alienation and a sinister presence. A place we wouldnt want to be. Machine is described as the end of the line and as hell. Town life savage and brutal, no sense of civilisation, male dominated, violent and amoral. William Blake is guided by Nobody who is represented as the wisest, most thoughtful and moral character in the film. He teaches Blake. Nobody recounts his experiences of being abducted by soldiers and exhibited like a caged animal. This increases our sympathy for him. We see things from his perspective.

Representation of the West Dead Man (Jarmusch, 1995)

Most of the white characters are represented as brutal, savage, amoral, or stupid and inept. Cole Wilson raped, murdered and ate his parents extreme savagery. Native American cultures and traditions are respected. There is an appreciation of the specific customs of individual tribes. Native language is not translated for English speaking audiences. The film was screened in Indian Reservations The Christian missionary is represented negatively, tries to sell Nobody an infected blanket. Exposes the myth of Manifest Destiny. Nobody quotes Blake The vision of Christ that thou does see is my visions greatest enemy.

Representation of the West Dead Man (Jarmusch, 1995)

Focus on how Native American way of life being exterminated and replaced by something more sinister (big business, violent, crime?) William Blake looks on at an Indian Settlement that has burned to the ground, presumably by the American Army. The conquest of the West represented as futile and unjustified. The West corrupted by white settlers. This is represented by Cole and Nobody shooting each other dead. The implication being there were no winners during this period, only losers. Native American culture and traditions destroyed, White America must live the guilt of committing genocide.