John Ford's early Westerns reflect an optimistic view of society and individual capacity; as his thematic vision evolved, he became more resigned to the limitations of humanity. His thematic evolution was evident in other films, but was best shown in his Westerns, with their stark depictions of the human condition. Ford's sound Westerns and his major silent films are compared in this work, revealing how his creative genius changed over time. A complete filmography of Ford's Westerns is also provided.
