Tag: Westworld Script

Sci-Fi Western Film Scripts

Despite the popularity of American Western films in Europe and other nations, the genre has had waning success with American audiences. Some of the best Western films were not even made in America, but were redesigned by foreign filmmakers, such as Sergio Leone (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)). With few exceptions, the Western has all but died with most mainstream American audiences.

However, there are people in the United States who still aspire to the classic American westerns that graced the screen prior to 1980’s. The nostalgic filmmakers who remembered the cowboy dramas of their youth were not so quick to throw the genre aside.

However, in order to make a living, filmmakers had to ensure that audiences would not dismiss their films as just another Western. A twist needed to be added to capture the short attention spans of a new, computer-aged generation.

Thus the creation of the sci-fi western films. By improvising a bit of the storyline and adding new twists, filmmakers were able to capture the attention of young audiences and lure them into the theaters for a western in disguise. Instead of having villainous Indians or cattle rustlers, audiences were amazed to see villainous robotic castle rustlers and giant aliens living beneath the surface of the towns.

The creation of sci-fi westerns can easily be seen as a noble attempt by writers to introduce their childhood heroes and stories to a new generation. The writers could have sat on noble high horses and refused to adapt their beloved Westerns of the past to a new generation. However, by mixing the Western themes of the past with the technology of the future, they instilled a place for Westerns in the hearts of children for years to come.

Screenwriters who hold on deeply to nostalgic films of their youth can take a lesson from sci-fi westerns. Regardless of how great a story is, it will not be a success unless it adds something new and different. Remake films are often failures because they try to regurgitate the same story in a higher resolution film. To reach a wide audience, a nostalgic script writer must be able to compromise their classic ideals with the new trends of the present.

 

  1. (1973) Westworld [Transcript]
  2. (1981) Indiana Jones Script
  3. (1990) Back to the Future Part III Script
  4. (1999) Wild Wild West Script
  5. (2004) Tremors 4: The Legend Begins Script
  6. (2007) Ghost Rider Script
  7. (2011) Priest Script

Westworld

Westworld poster thumbnail
Year:1973
Director:Michael Crichton
Written by:Michael Crichton (Screenplay)

Script Synopsis:In a futuristic resort, wealthy patrons can visit recreations of different time periods and experience their wildest fantasies with life-like robots. But when Richard Benjamin opts for the wild west, he gets more than he bargained for when a gunslinger robot goes berserk.
Westworld Script Resources:

Note: Multiple links are listed since (a) different versions exist and (b) many scripts posted become unavailable over time. Please notify me if you encounter a stale link.


Other Links:
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Michael Crichton Scripts

In the 1980’s, nobody could hold a candle to Michael Crichton when it came down to sci-fi. With such big hits as Jurassic Park (1993) and Westworld (1973), Crichton created explosively entertaining stories that attracted the mainstream in record numbers. His ideas ranged from television dramas to big budget films that attracted the attention of directors and producers from all over. What Crichton really had, was an incredible ability to tell original stories that sparked the imagination and curiosity of children and adults alike.

Anything that Michael Crichton touched turned to gold as can be seen with his abundant amount of lifetime successes. As a young man, he fulfilled what many young people dream which was to be accepted to Harvard University. He was accepted into the medical program but was secretly writing stories in his spare time. His book, The Andromeda Strain (1971) was the result of his secret story writing which is what launched his career as a novelist.

So much can be learned from Crichton but nothing as important as the influence of education on creative works. Without his medical school influences, Crichton may never had created his E.R. (1994-2009) television series. If he wasn’t fascinated with computer technology, then there is no saying whether he would’ve succeeded in making Jurassic Park (1993) or Westworld (1973). His work goes to show that creativity is a result of imagination added to intelligence.

 Filmography