Just a quick thought on the difference of attitudes:
In Tombstone (1993) the Earps get involved into being lawmen by referencing “innocent people’s suffering” (scene with Johnny Behan talking to Earps at approx. the 55th minute of the film).
You know you men are making a lot of money in this town. That’s good, that’s good… Good for you. In the meantime a lot of decent people are suffering. But please, don’t let me take up any more of your precious time.
Johnny Behan
And later Virgil Earp (who, according to “The Making of Tombstone” represents the the Law) is guilt-driven into taking the job:
These people are afraid to walk down the streets and I am trying to make money out of them like some God damn vulture.
Virgil Earp (explaining why he took the job of the lawman)
Being the lawman is a job in the Classic Westerns, and as any other job is supposed to be done professionally to gain respect. In Gunfight At The OK Corral Wyatt says “if you can’t do your job anymore – turn in your badge”. As in “you are getting paid to do the job – so do it or resign”. It’s work ethics. It a matter of professionalism.
As I’ve mentioned in this post about Gunsmoke:
That’s one of the things you have to learn about the law – justice is sometimes pretty hard to come by.
Marshal Matt Dillon (season 11 episode 3)
So in Classic Western the lawman is a professional who gains respect if he does his job well.
In the post-revisionist westerns the lawman is a Moral Figure. It’s the person who believes he wears the badge to make good deeds for others.
Is it “something in the air” – a reflection of the modern perception of the reality?
Classic Western Movie Genre 