Star Wars is often referred to as a Space Western, and the influences of the genre are quite clear to see, such as the easily identifiable hero, the notion of good vs bad, gunslinging and duels. One of the most noticeable is the Cantina on Mos Eisley, which apart from being a wretched hive of scum and villainy is also very much inspired by the old style saloons seen in pretty much any Western film. In particular, the Han/Greedo scene (where Han shoots, and that's it), is very reminiscent of The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly. Perhaps the one with the most comparisons though is John Ford's The Searchers, starring John Wayne. This is centred around the quest to find Debbie Edwards, niece of Wayne's character Ethan, and features similarities such as a burnt-down homestead, and the farm-boy hero.
NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far.
A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.
