COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa—It will be a showdown between myth and reality in a new educational series beginning Nov. 9 as Western Historic Trails Center examines the American West as portrayed in motion pictures.

For many, the images and ideals of the Wild West have come to symbolize a defining part of America. And yet, the “Wild West” in reality was often a far different place than the simple, and often incorrect, struggle between “cowboys and Indians” that were the mainstay of dozens of “oat operas” through the years.

This series, presented by Western Historic Trails Center Museum Guide Ryan Roenfeld, examines the good, the bad and the downright ugly in what these movies have to say about the West of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

“These types of movies, despite their Hollywood take on ‘how the West was won,’ have come to symbolize a defining part of America through the images and ideals of the ‘Wild West,’” Roenfeld said.

Movies will be shown at Western Historic Trails Center, 3434 Richard Downing Ave., Council Bluffs at 2 p.m. and followed by an open discussion. Admission is free. The proposed schedule of movies, subject to availability is:

Nov. 9: Stagecoach*
Nov. 23: The Outlaw Josey Wales
Dec. 14: High Noon
Dec. 28: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance*
Jan. 11: Unforgiven
Jan. 25: The Magnificent Seven
Feb. 8: For a Few Dollars More
Feb. 22: Blazing Saddles*

For more information, contact KC Hummel at 712-366-4900.

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