Death in the West is considered to be one of the finest documentaries ever made. It was originally produced for British television and vigorously supressed by tobacco interests. This powerful expose of cigarette advertising myths juxtaposes the healthy independent image of the Marlboro man, defended in revealing interviews with tobacco industry executives, with the stark reality of six smoking cowboys, all dying of smoking-induced illnesses. The video increases perception of the hazards of smoking, creates skepticism about cigarette advertising, and discourages young viewers from starting to smoke.