Johnny Guitar and Two Mules for Sister Sara are not traditional Western films. The gun fights and action are usually left to the alpha male. But, in Johnny Guitar, the main character, Vienna, has taken over this role. She is an aggressive, strong, business owner. In the end, Vienna kills Emma, another aggressive, strong willed character, in a duel. Both Vienna and Emma have filled the shoes of hero and villain. From a cultural studies point of view, this film seems to follow the "Rosie the Riveter" movement: women can perform the same jobs men can. Another interesting twist is that the hunt for Vienna has a hint of McCarthyism. Its the classic, round up the posse and string up the outsider, mentality. Although, it could be argued that any film made during the early 1950's could be interpreted this way.
In Two Mules for Sister Sara, the narrative surrounds the female character. Sara might not replace the role of alpha male but she takes on an image of intellect and independence. She is constantly planning a strategy to attack the French. In a way, Hogan and the Mexican Colonel are following her orders. This is a reflection of the Women's Movement which would have been in full force in 1970. This transition from exclusion to inclusion of women in Westerns is rare for 1954, when Johnny Guitar was filmed, but certainly expected by 1970, when Two Mules for Sister Sara was filmed.
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