The Coen brothers’The Ballad of Buster Scruggsis one of the greatest westerns of the 21st century — but the movie’s legacy has been reduced to a meme. Released on Netflix in 2018,The Ballad of Buster Scruggsisan anthology movieshowing several very different perspectives of the Old West. It’s named after its opening sequence, in which a joyful singing cowboy played by Tim Blake Nelson is challenged to a gunfight, but the five shorts that follow range from lighthearted comedy to harrowing tragedy.
There’s a segment in which a mismatched group of travelers share a stagecoach ride to Fort Morgan, Colorado. There’s a segment in which Liam Neeson’s aging impresario exploits a disabled man for money — and when the man stops being profitable, he meets a grim fate.The Ballad of Buster Scruggsis one ofthe Coens’ best movies, and a totally unique take on the western genre. But in the years since its release, it’s been reduced to a meme template.
It’s A Perfect Example Of Gallows Humor
Everyone’s seen the “First time?” gallows meme template, but not everyone knows it’s fromThe Ballad of Buster Scruggs. In the movie’s second segment, “Near Algodones,”James Franco plays a bank robber who’s sentenced to be hanged. As he stands on the gallows with a noose around his neck,he turns to the distraught man next to him and quips, “First time?”This is an old joke, and one of the earliest examples of gallows humor. Of course, a person can only be hanged once — it’s a morbid gag in the face of certain doom.
Of course, a person can only be hanged once — it’s a morbid gag in the face of certain doom.
The meme template has become bigger than the movie, butit removes all the gallows humor from the original gag. It’s often used between fandoms and communities to express solidarity. WhenMatrixfans are disappointed by a long-anticipated legacy sequel,Star Warsfans — who have already been burned three times — will ask, “First time?” WhileWitcherfans wait a long time for the next season of their favorite show,Stranger Thingsfans — who have to wait years between seasons — will ask, “First time?”
This Movie Deserves A Much Better Legacy
The Ballad of Buster Scruggsis a really great movie, and it deserves a much more substantial legacy than just being a widely circulated meme template.The Ballad of Buster Scruggstells six great stories in one, it has a star-studded ensemble cast, andit has a completely unique tone within its genre. There are popular meme templates fromToy Story 2,Captain America: The Winter Soldier, andWilly Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, but they’re all remembered for more than just the memes.The Ballad of Buster Scruggsdeserves so much more.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Cast
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a Western anthology film by the Coen Brothers that comprises six distinct stories. Each vignette explores themes of the American frontier, blending humor and tragedy. With a richly detailed setting, the film delves into various aspects of frontier life, showcasing a range of characters from singing cowboys to intrepid prospectors. The distinctive narrative style and evocative cinematography create a compelling portrait of the Old West.
