Day of the Outlaw - SJC

Day of the Outlaw (1959) presents a conservative look at women and what they represented in society. Throughout the film the women are consistently assaulted by language and by actions of men, even those who are married are accosted by the outlaws in the town. Yet the men of the town do little to stop this degrading behavior. The men of the town see women as items not worth dying over; it was clear to the men that the outlaws under Bruhn would surly kill anyone who stood up for the women. Bruhn, the leader of the outlaws, then uses the women as a tool to regain control over his men by allowing a dance that soon turns erotic with every woman in the town. Yet again no real fight is seen as the men watch their wives and girlfriends practically raped by the bandits this drives home the idea that women are almost worthless in society. Seen as objects of the town to be used for a greater purpose was the overall message of this film in regards to women. Day of the Outlaw reflects a growing concern in men with the second feminist movement that was beginning to take form in 1959 and would pick up popularity in the early 1960’s. Keeping the women as the baby maker who belonged to men and did not work jobs or contribute to society was a whiplash against this growing movement.