The Differences Between the Unforgive and the Pale Rider

Clint Eastwood not only acts in, but also directs, both the Pale Rider and the Unforgiven. He has used several different filmic techniques bring about a separate theme and atmosphere in each film. Theses two posters are reflective of this theme and atmosphere in each of their respective films and have been designed to specifically portray a message that is also portrayed in the scenes of each particular theme.

The first poster, that of the Pale Rider, gives away a lot about the film itself. The most obvious thing it points out is how Eastwood uses the main character, the preacher, to dominate the film as a whole and play the central role. This is evident in the poster as no other character’s faces can be identifies except that of Eastwood’s character. Eastwood uses sleight of hand in the film to present the preacher and often shows close ups of the character, where no emotion can be seen. This is done so that the other characters can cast their emotions upon him, making him seem almost holy.   In contrast, Eastwood uses the other poster to show his character as the main character, but also to show the three other characters that a viewer could identify. The interesting thing to notice is that one could say that the three other faces are necessarily the three other main characters, certainly Ned Logan and the sheriff; Little Bill would be considered main characters, but not English Bob. The Schofield Kid would most certainly be considered a main character ahead of English Bob, even W. W. Beauchamp, his biographer, played a bigger role in the movie. The reason the faces of these four characters are shown on the cover under the title, is because these men are the ones that are “unforgiven”, men that have committed sins of violence and have murdered, and have lived a past that they have not been forgiven for. I believe that this is a hidden message that the director and designing artist used in the poster. The scene in which Little Sue rides to Munny and The...