Robert De Niro‘s complicated relationship with western films traces back to the transformative era of 1960s cinema, a time when both Hollywood and the actor himself were redefining boundaries and genres. As shifting cultural tides gave rise to New Hollywood actors willing to embrace risky roles, De Niro’s career thrived—yet he repeatedly avoided the western genre, a notable decision that shaped his diverse filmography for decades.
The New Wave of Hollywood and De Niro’s Early Rise
The late 1960s marked a period of dramatic change in both society and cinema as rigid censorship waned, progressive attitudes took hold, and new talent emerged on screen. The actors leading this movement, including Robert De Niro, embraced stories and characters that would have been off-limits in the classic Hollywood era. De Niro started his ascent beside innovative filmmakers like Brian De Palma and Roger Corman, showcasing a willingness to dive into challenging, unconventional projects.
His collaboration with Martin Scorsese brought him critical recognition in Mean Streets, paving the way for his acclaimed roles in The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, and The Deer Hunter through the 1970s. Throughout his career, De Niro explored a variety of film styles, even venturing into comedy in later years, while steering clear of one major Hollywood mainstay: the western.
De Niro’s Reluctance Toward Westerns
The reasoning behind De Niro’s aversion to westerns was documented in Shawn Levy’s biography, Robert De Niro: A Life. In 1980, the actor expressed his distaste for the genre, referencing its repetitiveness and the physical demands of shooting on location.
“I wouldn’t want to touch a western. They’ve been done so often, and who wants to be out in the middle of the desert for three months?”
—Robert De Niro, Actor
His explanation highlighted not only the over-saturation of westerns in Hollywood at that time, but also a personal dislike for the harsh filming environments, a sentiment some actors shared, regardless of a project’s potential success.
Shifting Perspectives and Genre Experimentation
Some irony surrounds De Niro’s position, as he would later collaborate with Sergio Leone, a director renowned for spaghetti westerns, in Once Upon A Time in America. However, this film departed from the western formula and was instead a crime drama, despite drawing inspiration from western-style narratives.
While direct participation in traditional westerns remained absent from De Niro’s career, he gravitated toward projects with thematic or stylistic connections to the genre, signaling a nuanced approach rather than an outright rejection. His career choices suggest a preference for subverting classic conventions rather than conforming to them.
Reimagining the Western Through Modern Collaborations
De Niro’s role in Killers of the Flower Moon in 2023 marked his closest engagement yet with the western form. Directed by longtime collaborator Scorsese, the film set itself apart by avoiding the typical portrayals seen in old Hollywood. Instead of reinforcing the mythic heroism often associated with figures like John Wayne, Killers of the Flower Moon spotlighted the harrowing crimes committed against the Osage people in early 20th-century America, offering a critical perspective on the genre’s history.
This artistic direction aligns with De Niro’s apparent condition for participating in films with western elements—the film must offer an original, meaningful alternative to the conventional western narrative as defined by filmmakers like John Ford.
Alternative Genre Blending and Recent Endeavors
Another example of De Niro stretching the bounds of the genre came with his performance in The Comeback Trail in 2020. This project fused western themes with crime comedy, creating a stylistic hybrid far removed from the golden era of Hollywood westerns. Through such choices, De Niro demonstrated a willingness to approach the western only when its boundaries were intentionally blurred or reinterpreted.
The Impact of De Niro’s Choices on His Legacy
Robert De Niro’s complicated relationship with western films has ensured that his career remains distinct from those of many of his peers who were typecast in genre roles. By steering clear of traditional westerns except when they subvert expectations, collaborate with visionary directors, or reinvent the story structure, De Niro has maintained a filmography that reflects the depth and complexity of American cinema’s evolution. His selective engagement not only shapes his personal legacy but also reflects Hollywood’s ongoing conversation about the genres it chooses to honor or challenge.
