Johnny Guitar/Two Mules - RS

Johnny Guitar was released in 1954; a time in which the first nuclear submarine was launched as well as the Brown vs. Board of Education debate. The film starts out with Vienna as the main character, going against the townsmen and women with the idea to put the railroad close by in town. Throughout the film, Vienna plays the largest and almost alpha male type of role; standing for what she believes is right and wrong. Her ex-lover, Johnny Guitar comes back into town and re-announces his love for her. They both are set on a journey when Vienna is accused of stealing from a bank, and must escape from being hung by her nemesis Emma; who has never liked her. Vienna continues to play the opposite role of what is expected of her, and challenges Emma to a showdown, to which she kills Emma despite of being wounded. Vienna, although being in a relationship with Johnny still takes the role as the alpha cowboy; even defining the rule of the gun as shown in the battle with Emma. In regards to the Brown vs. Board of Education debate, it relates to this film in regards of the lesser person, with the least amount of right at the time, using there voice as well as power as an individual to stand up for what they believe in, and what they think their manifest destiny is.

Two Mules was released over 15 years after Johnny Guitar and still contains a female character who plays a large role in the action-adventure the west constantly delivers. Hogan saves Sara from being gang-raped and the two start their journey of bringing Sister Sara back to her Mexican camp. Along the way Sara tells Hogan she is actually not a nun, and really a prostitute. The fact that this film contains a women who uses her body to make money, shows the less strict attitude of the 70's. By the end of the film Sara not only uses weapons but helps Hogan to destroy both trains and fortresses.