Of his 1992 film Unforgiven, director and star Clint Eastwood said "the movie summarized everything I feel about the Western." Despite this, the film sparked considerable debate about exactly what it had to say about the Western. Some critics have argued for the film as an anti-Western, tearing down the icons of the genre, while others have insisted that it is simply a continuation of the genre, but with slight variation. Whatever deeper meanings the film may have intended, it meant for many, including the filmmakers, a restoration. Not only did the film give a needed career boost to actors like Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, and Richard Harris, but it also was credited with revitalizing the Western genre. Interestingly, the film was also touted by some critics as the final word on the Western. Indeed, none of the Westerns released in Unforgiven's wake have matched the impact...