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Last issue my editorial was on the
language used in the HBO mini-series Deadwood.
I am going to continue my opinions related to Deadwood.
The Ugly
- In my opinion the ugly portion of this series is still the foul
language that was used in almost every sentence by most of the
actors and actresses. There
were one or two characters who were the exception, but this did not
over-ride the continuous stream of objectionable words in the
dialogue that I could not get past in order to enjoy the show,
though I tried to tune in a number of times and stay with the plot.
I have continued to discuss the language used with various
historians as well as with cowboys who worked with men of the era.
From what I have found, I still believe that though swearing
may have been prevalent in mining towns amongst certain types of
people, in general it is similar to the situation today; some use
the language and some don't.
The environment certainly has an impact on the amount and
degree to which it is used. Though
I believe that, based on my research, the amount of foul language
used is not historically accurate, that is not the point.
The point is that I could not get past the language in order
to enjoy the show and neither could many other people I've talked
with.
The Bad - From what I have heard from people that have watched the series
(I acknowledge the fact that I know few people who did this) it has
an excellent plot and was enjoyable. That is certainly not a bad thing. What I am concerned about is that, in my opinion, many
producers of films portray Westerns (as well as other film genres)
in such ways as to shock their audience in order to sell tickets.
Recently, I was in Tombstone, Ariz. for the Book and Film Festival
and sat in on a panel discussion about the Future of the Western.
One person believed HBO used such language simply because
they could, not because it was historically accurate or added any
real meaning.
Editorial
Continued
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