The Virginian and the Unintentional Villain

Often, in Hollywood films, The Villain is a highly-motivated character. He or she knows what they want and they pursue it doggedly.

For example, look at the 1946 western, The Virginian.

Brian Donlevy stars as a crooked Wyoming rancher who spends his time siphoning cattle from other ranchers’ herds. Donlevy’s character isn’t a poor, desperate man; nay, he wears an expensive, tailored wardrobe. He doesn’t need money, he wants excitement and power. These he finds in cheating his neighbours.

His chief adversary is Joel McCrea, who plays a principled ranch foreman and a truly Decent Fellow. McCrea’s character is the kind of neighbour everybody likes; he’s honest, generous and resourceful. He also has enough gumption to bring down the likes of Donlevy and his merry men.

McCrea and Donlevy make no pretense out of their dislike for each other. McCrea gives the impression he’s always restraining himself from strangling…