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media about cowboys and indians

post #1 of 16
4/27/09 at 6:14pm
Thread Starter 
ok, so it isn't that PC - but I am taking my family on a trip to some places like dodge city and little bighorn and I want to teach my son a little about the west - not the pc lets all sit together and sing kumbaya in a vegetarian tepee west, the real west (or at least the west of the movies of my childhood). so, any suggestions to get him psyched up? good books or movies for a 7 year old boy about cowboys and indians killing each other?

thanks
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post #2 of 16
4/27/09 at 6:54pm
If they're still available, buy him one of those Fort Apache playsets. Each set came with plastic cavalry soldiers & Injuns, and a genuine fake wooden U.S. Army fort. I think they were made by Mattel or Hasbro. Pretty damn good.
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post #3 of 16
4/27/09 at 7:58pm
I would guess old westerns would be the best. I think at that age I watched Lone Ranger on Nick at Nite. He might be too young for John Wayne, but Big Jake and War Wagon were faves. Not sure about kids these days, so maybe he would like them. He might enjoy War Wagon, I forgot what it's about other than they end up armor plating a stage coach and putting a gatling gun on top and shooting it at stage coach robbers a lot.
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post #4 of 16
4/27/09 at 9:14pm
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
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post #5 of 16
4/27/09 at 11:32pm
It's been years since I watched it, but I think Stagecoach might be a good choice. The Magnificent Seven doesn't have Indians, but it's a pretty cool western, and IIRC, age-appropriate. (I'm assuming from your OP that you're okay with violence.) Honestly, there are a lot of classic westerns that are pretty good, and thanks to the Hays Code, appropriate for kids. (Apart from the non-PCness.) For the ultimate historically-accurate representation of the West as it really was, you might consider F Troop. And have fun on your trip. It's beautiful out there.
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post #6 of 16
4/27/09 at 11:33pm
I remember watching all of the old John Wayne and Clint Eastwood movies at 7 and being totally enamored with them.

"Problem" being, they actually have a plot and aren't just total beat off action flicks that are so prevalent today. They were for the time, but not so much now. This means, a 7 year old today raised on video games and what not might have issues getting into them as they do have their slow parts.

I've always really been a fan of "A fist full of dollars" for a decently fast movie. A lot of good gun play, especially lever action rifles. However, my favorite of all time would have to be "Pale Rider" with "Paint Yer Wagons" a close second. Also, TV Land plays reruns of Gunsmoke and Bonanza on a regular basis.

Can't forget True Grit and Rio Bravo is always a fun one.

To be totally honest I'd also use this as an opprotunity to introduce him to shooting if he starts to show interest. I note you're in the Chicago area so I know anything with a revolver probably just went out the window, but check this out:

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ducts_id/36596

It's a lever action .22; make him feel like he's really part of the action (but remember, safety first!). Only runs about $250 and .22 is about $15/500.
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post #7 of 16
4/27/09 at 11:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Conrad View Post
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ducts_id/36596 It's a lever action .22; make him feel like he's really part of the action (but remember, safety first!). Only runs about $250 and .22 is about $15/500.
I had one of these when I was 14. They are fucking badass. EDIT: I should add, though, that I don't think a 7 year old is responsible enough to own a .22. Maybe a Red Ryder depending on the individual child's maturity level.
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post #8 of 16
4/27/09 at 11:38pm
I know

That was one of my favorite parts, I could actually go out and "shoot the Indians" even if they were just soda cans

I've upgraded since, but lever actions and single action revolvers still hold a dear spot in my heart.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jekyll View Post
EDIT: I should add, though, that I don't think a 7 year old is responsible enough to own a .22. Maybe a Red Ryder depending on the individual child's maturity level.


Definitely depends on the child. I started shooting at 3 and I've had a .22 in my closet since I was 5. Everytime my dad and I went shooting, i had to go get it and pack it up, and when we got home it was my responsibility to clean it and put it up. In order for us to head out again he made sure it was clean, etc. If not, our day to the range got cancelled.

A good way to teach personal responsibility.
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post #9 of 16
4/28/09 at 8:40am
If you're going to eschew PC, why not go whole hog and get the seminal work in this area:
http://www.amazon.com/Indian-Depreda...0918653&sr=8-1

Not a particularly balanced treatment ( ) but it's written during the time.








(J/K...by the way)
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post #10 of 16
4/28/09 at 10:02am
Lucky Luke cartoons


http://www.amazon.com/Nouvelles-Aven...0923737&sr=1-6

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post #11 of 16
4/28/09 at 10:19am
This:

Quote:
Originally Posted by globetrotter View Post
the real west

and this:

Quote:
(or at least the west of the movies of my childhood).

are not the same thing. Which one do you want? One is exciting but horribly inaccurate; the other is dull.
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post #12 of 16
4/28/09 at 11:05am
F-Troop! Bonanza, maybe a Zane Grey anthology (read to him)...
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post #13 of 16
4/28/09 at 11:07am
unforgiven
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post #14 of 16
4/28/09 at 11:08am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Teacher View Post
This:



and this:



are not the same thing. Which one do you want? One is exciting but horribly inaccurate; the other is dull.

the exiting but innacurate one, of course.
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post #15 of 16
4/28/09 at 12:17pm
How the West Was Won is terribly long, but a great flick. Your son will probably be bored with it rather quickly, though. Are you really considering visiting the Little Big Horn? That's a long, long ways from your home base friend. There are several significant Old West sites and landmarks along I-80 in Nebraska, which essentially follows the path of the Oregon and Mormon Trails across the state.
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