Anybody who has ever played any of the Red Dead Redemption games would likely be over the moon to see them properly adapted into live-action. The Western video game series has been a fan favorite over the years, and many have since hoped for a Spaghetti Western-inspired feature that would bring the story of John Marston (Rob Wiethoff) to life. But there is actually a better, more classical approach that should be considered when adapting the Red Dead universe. In the spirit of the classic TV Westerns of old, a proper Red Dead adaptation ought to be a long-form television series, one unafraid to take its time with the narrative and allow the characters to drive it over an extended period.
‘Red Dead Redemption’ Has Far More Potential as a Series Than a Film
Admittedly, most fans of the Red Dead Redemption game series might at first grimace upon hearing that any television adaptation of the story ought to take cues from classical shows like Gunsmoke, Wagon Train, Have Gun — Will Travel, Cheyenne, Maverick, or Bonanza. Many of these old-fashioned programs aired in black-and-white and featured stock characters and clichés that have since defined the genre. But they also told compelling stories. One thing that remains true of all the best shows from the Golden Age of TV Westerns is that each of them focused on telling engaging one-off tales with consistent characters who grew over long periods of time. If you think about it, this is exactly how Red Dead Redemption and its beloved sequel, Red Dead Redemption II, are structured as well. Each game sends John or Arthur Morgan (Roger Clark) off on various missions, side quests, and personal plots that have nothing to do with “the main story,” yet they give us the most complete view of who the protagonists really are.
This is what made so many of these old TV Westerns great. Rarely were these programs ever held back by a larger narrative, and instead were allowed to thrive on individual adventures that made us care about the characters. That way, when bigger changes did occur — such as cast shakeups, romantic partners, or other limitations — we could see a real difference. In many ways, the Red Dead games follow the same idea. While the first game is arguably a bit more story-driven than the second, in both cases there are plenty of side quests and random encounters that expand the map beyond the main character’s own respective dramas. Part of what makes both games so riveting to play through (and why so many gamers continue to revisit them) is that there is a much larger world at play than just John’s quest to bring in Dutch van der Linde (Benjamin Byron Davis) or Arthur’s slow inchings toward personal atonement.
Throughout the games, the characters encounter everything from wayward photographers, grieving mothers, and cannibals to cultists, outlaws, and even sasquatches (if you play Undead Nightmare). If we want a Red Dead Redemption show to be done right, then many of these side missions and random person encounters are pivotal to the leads’ respective redemption stories. For instance, it’s at the end of the Red Dead Redemption II mission “The Fine Art of Conversation” that Sister Calderón (Irene DeBari) appears to Arthur, but only if you play with high honor and complete the side mission “Of Men and Angels” first. This scene is essential for the full Arthur Morgan redemption story, but it would be impossible without Arthur helping the nun in Saint Denis beforehand. A feature film adaptation of either Red Dead game would no doubt speak to the main story, but we would lose so much of the larger world that Rockstar Games created.
A ‘Red Dead’ Series Could Switch Between John Marston and Arthur Morgan
Additionally, many of the aforementioned horse operas (such as Wagon Train, Maverick, and Cheyenne) often swapped leading characters over the years, following different heroes depending on the episode. A proper Red Dead TV series would not only spend its time bringing some of the game’s most notable side missions and character-driven asides to life (on top of the larger story, of course), but it should also be able to switch between Arthur and John at an episode’s notice. While many were concerned that Red Dead Redemption II protagonist Arthur Morgan wouldn’t live up to the original game’s John Marston, the truth is that many (including this author) actually enjoyed Arthur’s story more.
But whether you prefer one protagonist or another (or simply love both), a Red Dead television series would do well to employ the same rotating cast technique that programs like Maverick and Cheyenne did back in the late 1950s. These shows often followed different leading men depending on the episode (usually due to some contract dispute or programming block), but it ultimately made each show stronger. This way, Red Dead could play with the audience’s perception of time, jumping between the height of the Van der Linde gang (and perhaps even finally reveal what exactly happened at Blackwater) to the early 20th century as John is on the trail of his former friend and mentor. The show could even spend an episode or two in the shoes of some of the games’ most notable side characters, like Sadie Adler (Alex McKenna), Charles Smith (Noshir Dalal), Rains Fall (Graham Greene), or even an older Jack Marston as he follows in his father’s footsteps. Heck, it could even spend a whole episode on the legend of Red Harlow (Robert Bogue) from the original Red Dead Revolver!
Not being shackled by a specific time period and allowing the narrative to flow differently depending on the episode (sometimes taking place in 1899, sometimes in 1911) would be a novel approach to storytelling that most shows can’t pull off. It would certainly add to the mythical allure of the Old American West while simultaneously granting fans the opportunity to see their favorite characters throughout the series instead of having to wait for the narrative to build to the events of the next game. Bouncing between John and Arthur (with some crossover in the middle) would give a Red Dead series the chance to explore these characters more intimately. Though perhaps not common by today’s television standards, both games would get their due simultaneously, allowing fans to stick with the characters for a longer period of time.
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‘Red Dead Redemption’ Should Blend Classical Western TV Formats With Modern Storytelling
When we say that Red Dead ought to go the way of the classic TV Western, we mean that the show should employ the use of standalone episodes, character-driven stories, and the typical style associated with them. But that doesn’t mean a Red Dead show should be black-and-white or wooden in any capacity. The first season of The Mandalorian honored these sorts of stories quite well (including one of the show’s best episodes), taking its main characters through episode-specific missions while compounding the main plot in the background. Although most modern video game adaptations like The Last of Us thrive because they adapt the source material into a serialized format, the Western isn’t best structured that way. The genre commands that you take your time with and embrace the Old American West, and all that implies.
Just sticking to the main story would lose all the small details and quirks that make playing the game so riveting. More than that, it would end the narrative far sooner than many would like. Part of the beauty of Red Dead is taking your time with it, exploring the map, encountering strangers, and embracing the classical Western world. Entire episodes could take place in towns like Armadillo, Blackwater, or Strawberry, as our heroes pursue bounties, perform robberies, or make amends with those they’ve harmed there. While a Red Dead movie would be fun, the truth is a show would be far better (besides, we already got a Red Dead short film back in the day). If done right, it could recreate much of the magic that exists when playing the games themselves. Who knows, it may even be the best way to bring back the classical style of television Westerns that has long been a thing of the past.
