This 72-Year-Old Western Quietly Inspired the Greatest Marvel Movie Ever Made

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The 1950s marked a fascinating period for film. Despite the strict rules of the Hays Code, filmmakers started creating stories with greater depth and subtlety. This shift was particularly noticeable in the film noir genre, which gradually moved away from the perfect, wholesome image presented by earlier directors. A standout film representing this new approach premiered in 1953, completely changing audience expectations for the genre.

The impact of this film went beyond simply changing the Western genre. It essentially created the groundwork for what many consider to be the best Marvel movie ever, and that influence was a long time coming – sixty-four years, to be exact. Even now, eight years later, filmmakers are still striving to create something as good, and this Marvel masterpiece likely wouldn’t exist if not for a celebrated Western.

Logan Is Heavily Inspired By 1953’s Shane

Shane greatly influenced the way we see western heroes, and James Mangold clearly loves the 1953 film Shane – that influence is visible throughout Logan. While Logan includes direct nods to Shane, such as a scene playing on Laura’s television, those familiar with George Stevens’ classic will also notice several similarities in the storylines.

In Shane, the Starrett family, who are trying to build a home on the land, are repeatedly bothered and threatened by a powerful local landowner named Rufus Ryker. Ryker sends his men to frighten the Starretts into leaving. Their fortunes change when a quiet stranger, Shane, portrayed by Alan Ladd, arrives seeking employment. Though he initially avoids conflict, Shane unexpectedly becomes the family’s defender and becomes a hero to their son, Joey.

With Ryker becoming more aggressive, the settlers think about giving up and leaving, but ultimately decide to stay and defend their homes after the most recent attack. Shane doesn’t want to resort to violence, but he starts to believe he might have no other option. The story of Shane famously concludes with the gunfighter rescuing Joe Starrett from a surprise attack, and in the process, killing Ryker, Ryker’s brother, and another man he hired.

Injured and accepting the cycle of violence he’s fallen back into, Shane gets on his horse and rides away. Before he leaves, he shares some final thoughts with Joey, telling him, “A man has to be true to himself, Joey. You can’t change who you are. I tried, but it didn’t work for me. Joey, you can’t escape the consequences of taking a life. There’s no undoing it. What’s right and wrong leaves a lasting mark. That mark stays with you. There’s no going back.” This scene demonstrates Shane acknowledging that his violent history will always be a part of him. By leaving, he protects the Starretts from getting involved in his troubles, and probably saves himself from being killed.

If those words ring a bell, it’s because Laura echoes Shane’s “can’t break the mold” speech in Logan‘s wonderfully crafted conclusion. Similar to Shane‘s main character, Wolverine is burdened by the violence and trauma of his history, and gradually understands that, whether he likes it or not, being a hero is simply who he is. He never explicitly says this throughout the story, but whenever someone needs help and the right thing needs to be done, he consistently rises to the occasion, though often unwillingly.

When Logan urges Laura, “don’t be what they made you,” it echoes the sentiment of Shane advising Joey to become a good, strong, and honest man. Shortly after this heartfelt moment, Logan dies peacefully while held by Laura. This could indicate that director James Mangold aligns with the popular fan theory that Alan Ladd’s gunslinger passes away after riding into the distance – a moment many see as the end of the traditional Western archetype. By leaving, he also removes the inherent violence of the Old West, allowing a peaceful, settled community to build a new future free from the threat of Ryker.

Shane Changed Westerns Forever

Before 1953, Western movies were pretty much *defined* by heroes like John Wayne. He usually played the all-American good guy – think honorable sheriffs or cavalry officers. In most of his films, he really represented the American ideal, always being the voice of reason and doing what’s right. But things started to shift in the early ’50s; the Old West on screen began to get a different vibe and style. It wasn’t quite the same anymore.

The change in Western storytelling that began with 1952’s High Noon () reaches its peak in Shane. The film presents Shane not simply as a lawman, but as a former gunfighter – a man burdened by a violent past and filled with regret. Essentially, the character is constructed as his own Chekov’s Gun, meaning the audience understands, from learning his backstory, that his story will inevitably conclude with conflict and violence.

Since its release, the character development of Shane has become a unique take on the classic hero’s journey, and it continues to influence Westerns made today. Especially in Westerns created after the 1990s, the idea of a hero who is hesitant but ultimately does what’s right, despite a troubled past, has become a common and successful pattern.

As a big fan, I’ve always loved how this genre leans into themes of redemption and self-sacrifice – it just *works* so well! It’s a classic combo of tropes that keeps drawing me in. Characters like Logan and Shane always step up when nobody else will, and honestly, their deaths usually feel like the end of something big. It’s sad, but almost always, their sacrifice creates a space for more innocent characters to thrive in a safer, new world. It’s like they pave the way for a brighter future, even if they don’t get to see it.

Considered by many to be the perfect cowboy film, Shane has frequently been referenced and borrowed from in other works over time. From allusions to the story or characters discussing its conclusion in The Negotiator, this Western remains a classic for a valid reason. Interestingly, its core structure indirectly influenced the 1992 film Unforgiven, which then went on to inspire Old Man Logan.

Logan Combines Two Very Different Masterpieces

Though Logan feels more like Shane in its creation and writing-even referencing it in the concluding dialogue-the comic book it’s based on tells a very different tale. The Old Man Logan story by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven is much closer in tone to Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven, portraying Wolverine as a weary, retired gunslinger who’s drawn back in for one final mission.

Compared to the Fox-based adaptations, the original comic book had complete freedom to use any Marvel character that writer Mark Millar desired, allowing the hero to interact with a wide range of figures, including Hulk and Red Skull. Because comics aren’t limited by budgets or practical effects-artists can draw anything-the graphic novel presents a more imaginative and over-the-top version of the story.

James Mangold’s film is a heartfelt tribute to the complex, often troubled, heroes of classic Westerns, clearly inspired by films like Shane. Hugh Jackman delivers a compelling performance as a character wrestling with regret, moral gray areas, hesitation, and rage – qualities that make for a truly memorable Western protagonist. Considering the film also incorporates the established Marvel storyline from Fox, it serves as a perfect and satisfying conclusion not only to the franchise, but also to Hugh Jackman’s celebrated career as a superhero.

Similar to how viewers in 1953 watched Alan Ladd bid farewell to the Old West with a selfless sacrifice, today’s audiences witnessed the same from Wolverine. Combining the somber feel of Unforgiven, the film had everything needed to succeed, and it proved to be successful on multiple levels.

Logan Is the Greatest Marvel Movie of All Time

Right from the start, it’s obvious to viewers that Logan is different from typical superhero movies. It moves away from the usual superhero look, making its characters feel more real and easier to connect with. You won’t see anyone wearing tight spandex suits, or flying around in capes. Instead, the hero spends much of the film feeling unwell, and is slowly being weakened by the same metal that gave him his incredible powers.

Even though Logan reluctantly agrees to safeguard Laura, he isn’t pleased about it. He’s mainly motivated by his hope of finding a peaceful life with Charles Xavier. For this particular portrayal of Logan, he’s completely forgotten about his past as a superhero.

I honestly think James Mangold really raised the bar for superhero movies with his 2017 film. It’s right up there with classics like The Dark Knight and Unbreakable – it’s definitely Marvel’s strongest attempt at a grounded, “realistic superhero” story. Even eight years later, Logan feels iconic, and it’s so clearly inspired by the Western Shane and its classic gunslinger character. It really owes a lot to George Stevens’ original story!

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2025-10-02 21:13