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The Round-Up

Name: The Round-Up
Director: George Melford
Released: 1920
Duration: 70 min

Representation Score

1.1/10

Minimal

1920

Director

George Melford

Runtime

70 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Round-Up is a quintessential product of its era, prioritizing genre-standard formulas over diverse storytelling. While it offers more ethnic visibility through its Mexican-influenced setting than many contemporary Westerns, it remains bound by the period's social hierarchies. Gender roles are rigid, with men driving the plot and women relegated to supporting romantic roles. The film reinforces traditional Western values of law, order, and frontier justice without challenging the status quo. Ultimately, the film serves as a baseline example of early 20th-century storytelling, utilizing established archetypes rather than providing nuanced or diverse character studies.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Round-Up have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film adheres to strict structures that assume everyone is straight or cisgender. There is no depiction of non-binary gender identities or same-sex relationships.

How does The Round-Up portray gender?

Limited

Men drive the plot as the main characters, while women primarily serve as romantic interests or figures needing protection.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Round-Up?

Fair

Mexican characters and settings offer more ethnic visibility than many contemporary Westerns. However, representation is limited by the use of the 'bandit' archetype.

How does The Round-Up represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story celebrates frontier justice and the authority of law enforcement. It reinforces early 20th-century ideals of patriotism and rugged individualism.

Does The Round-Up include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no discernible depictions of physical or neurodivergent disabilities. Characters are defined by the physical capabilities required for Western action sequences.

Present on Screen

Offers higher ethnic visibility than many contemporary Westerns through its Mexican-influenced cast and settings.

Limited or Absent

Lacks nuanced character development, often relying on ethnic archetypes like the 'bandit' to drive tension.
Reinforces traditional gender hierarchies by limiting female characters to romantic or protected roles.
Fails to represent any LGBTQ+ identities or neurodivergent/physical disabilities.

Official Synopsis

A lovesick sheriff protects his town, embroiled in a feud between a crafty bandit leader and the family of the prospector he stole from.

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