You are here:

The Kentuckian

Name: The Kentuckian
Director: Burt Lancaster
Released: 1955
Duration: 104 min

Representation Score

0.5/10

Minimal

1955

Director

Burt Lancaster

Runtime

104 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Kentuckian is a classic mid-century Western that emphasizes individual heroism and traditional property-based morality. It serves as a genre piece that upholds established social and cultural norms rather than challenging them. The film lacks diverse representation of racial backgrounds and LGBTQ+ identities, focusing instead on a white, homogeneous perspective of the frontier. This reflects the standards of the Hollywood studio system in 1955. Gender roles are clearly defined, with men taking the lead through themes of land ownership and honor. Women are confined to supportive or domestic roles, reinforcing the social norms of the era.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Kentuckian have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex relationships. It follows the assumption that everyone is straight and cisgender, which was common in mid-20th century society.

How does The Kentuckian portray gender?

Limited

The narrative focuses primarily on the male protagonist, who drives the plot. Female characters are limited to supporting or domestic roles within the traditional patriarchal structure of the time.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Kentuckian?

Minimal

The cast is mainly white and uniform, fitting the standard portrayal of frontier life in the mid-20th century. There are no characters of color with significant roles in the story.

How does The Kentuckian represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story highlights traditional Western values such as property rights and personal honor. It emphasizes the importance of protecting one's land and legacy through a conventional moral framework.

Does The Kentuckian include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not depict any visible or invisible disabilities. Characters are portrayed within the typical physical types associated with the Western genre.

Present on Screen

The film offers a clear and focused exploration of traditional Western values and individual responsibility.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks racial diversity, focusing almost entirely on a white, homogeneous cast.
Gender roles are very restrictive, providing little opportunity for female characters to take the lead.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender identities.

Official Synopsis

A frontiersman and his son fight to build a new home in Texas.

How are these scores produced? →