Westerns

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Here (in no particular order of priority and more or less in order of release) are 20 of my favorite "westerns" . . .

The Best of John Wayne IMO -- Stagecoach (1939), Red River (w/Montgomery Cliff 1948) & The Seachers (w/Natalie Wood 1956)
The Ox Bow Incident (Henry Fonda 1943)
The Gunfighter (Gregory Peck 1950)
High Noon (Gary Cooper/Grace Kelly 1952)
Shane (Alan Ladd 1953)
The Magnificent 7 (Yul Brenner, Steve McQueen, James Coburn, Charles Bronson, et al 1960)
The Unforgiven (Burt Lancaster/Audrey Hepburn 1960)
Ride the High Country (Randolph Scott 1962)
Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (James Stewart/John Wayne1962)
The Clint Eastwood Italian Western Trilogy - Fistful of Dollars (1964); A Few Dollars More (1965); The Good, Bad & the Ugly (1966)
The Wild Bunch (William Holden/Ernest Borgnine 1969)
Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford/Paul Newman 1969)
Dances with Wolves (Kevin Costner 1990)
Unforgiven (Clint Eastwood/Morgan Freeman 1992)
3:10 to Yuma (Russell Crowe/Christian Bale 2007) -- better than the 1957 Glen Ford/Van Heflin original IMO.
True Grit (Jeff Bridges/Josh Brolin/Matt Damon (2010) -- also better than the 1969 John Wayne original IMO.

Of course, there are many other westerns that could be mentioned but I think that this list includes some (if not most) of the "best" westerns ever made and I have a copy of each of them in my video collection.
 
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sgt1372 said:
Here (in no particular order of priority and more or less in order of release) are 20 of my favorite "westerns" . . .

The Best of John Wayne IMO -- Stagecoach (1939) Red River (w/Montgomery Cliff 1948) & The Seachers (w/Natalie Wood 1956)
The Ox Bow Incident (Henry Fonda 1943)
The Gunfighter (Gregory Peck 1950)
High Noon (Gary Cooper/Grace Kelly 1952)
Shane (Alan Ladd 1953)
The Magnificent 7 (Yul Brenner, Steve McQueen, James Coburn, Charles Bronson, et al 1960)
The Unforgiven (Burt Lancaster/Audrey Hepburn 1960)
Ride the High Country (Randolph Scott 1962)
Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (James Stewart/John Wayne1962)
The Clint Eastwood Italian Western Trilogy - Fistful of Dollars (1964); A Few Dollars More (1965); The Good, Bad & the Ugly (1966)
The Wild Bunch (William Holden/Ernest Borgnine 1969)
Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford/Paul Newman 1969)
Dances with Wolves (Kevin Costner 1990)
Unforgiven (Clint Eastwood/Morgan Freeman 1992)
3:10 to Yuma (Russell Crowe/Christian Bale 2007) -- better than the 1957 Glen Ford/Van Heflin original IMO.
True Grit (Jeff Bridges/Josh Brolin/Matt Damon (2010) -- also better than the 1969 John Wayne original IMO.

Of course, there are many other westerns that could be mentioned but I think that this list includes some (if not most) of the "best" westerns ever made and I have a copy of each of them in my video collection.
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Good list.

I have to add a few:
Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Big Jake
Silverado
Open Range
How the West Was Won
Paint Your Wagon

And the greatest western ever filmed, though not shown in theatres: Lonesome Dove
 
Boattale said:
Good list.

I have to add a few:
Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Big Jake
Silverado
Open Range
How the West Was Won
Paint Your Wagon

And the greatest western ever filmed, though not shown in theatres: Lonesome Dove
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"The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (Humphry Bogart/Walter Huston 1948) is also one of my favorite movies but is don't think of it as a "western" -- more of an psychological drama -- but it certainly deserves consideration as such.

I have to believe that Bogart was channeling his role as Fred Dobbs in this film when he later played Lt. Com. Queeq in the "Caine Mutiny" (1954).

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"Badges? We ain't got no badges. We don't need no badges! I don't have to show you any stinkin' badges!

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Not a PC depiction of Mexicans in this era but still a memorable line.

LOL! ;)
 
Anyone see Missouri Breaks with the Brando and Nicholson?

Very weird for a western, like the director was trying make some statement but accidentally chose the wrong genre. Many inexplicable scenes and dialogue. I would like to say it was groundbreaking and ahead of its time, but it's not. Just as out of place and an oddity now as it was then.

It probably means something deep but that meaning is too deep for my brain.

Nobody's careers were built on this movie.

Strangely I enjoyed it and recommend a watch.
 
I was kinda surprised that it hasn't been mentioned, but then I realized that I forgot to mention it, and it's one of my all-time favorites- Once Upon a Time in the West.


And since Django Unchained has been mentioned, I thought I'd share a few thoughts on it. But let me preface this by saying that I do find the movie entertaining. I've seen it more than once, and will eventually see it again.

So, in a not-so-serious way, here's my problem with Django Unchained, -

Near the end of the movie, when Django goes on his vengeful killing spree, he bursts into the slave trackers shack, shouts "D'Artagnan Motherf*****s!!!", and then proceeds to shoot the trackers.

Now if you recall, D'Artagnan was the runaway slave from Candie's plantation who didn't want to fight anymore, so Candie had him torn apart by the trackers dogs.

But here's the thing, Schultz had offered to buy D'Artagnan from Candie in order to save his life, and Candie had agreed to sell him, but it was Django who spoke up and talked Schultz out of buying D'Artagnan in order to further solidify his cover story as a stone-cold "one-eyed-Charlie", knowing that D'Artagnan would be killed.

Watching the movie, I always find it funny that Django kicks in the door of the trackers shack, shouting "D'Artagnan Mother******s!!!", as if he is D'Artagnan's avenging angel, when it was Django who condemned D'Artagnan to a brutal and agonizing death by convincing Schultz not to buy him.
 
killgar said:
I was kinda surprised that it hasn't been mentioned, but then I realized that I forgot to mention it, and it's one of my all-time favorites- Once Upon a Time in the West.


And since Django Unchained has been mentioned, I thought I'd share a few thoughts on it. But let me preface this by saying that I do find the movie entertaining. I've seen it more than once, and will eventually see it again.

So, in a not-so-serious way, here's my problem with Django Unchained, -

Near the end of the movie, when Django goes on his vengeful killing spree, he bursts into the slave trackers shack, shouts "D'Artagnan Motherf*****s!!!", and then proceeds to shoot the trackers.

Now if you recall, D'Artagnan was the runaway slave from Candie's plantation who didn't want to fight anymore, so Candie had him torn apart by the trackers dogs.

But here's the thing, Schultz had offered to buy D'Artagnan from Candie in order to save his life, and Candie had agreed to sell him, but it was Django who spoke up and talked Schultz out of buying D'Artagnan in order to further solidify his cover story as a stone-cold "one-eyed-Charlie", knowing that D'Artagnan would be killed.

Watching the movie, I always find it funny that Django kicks in the door of the trackers shack, shouting "D'Artagnan Mother******s!!!", as if he is D'Artagnan's avenging angel, when it was Django who condemned D'Artagnan to death by convincing Schultz not to buy him.
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Sometimes plot is forsaken for a great scene.
 
Houlahound said:
Anyone see Missouri Breaks with the Brando and Nicholson?

Very weird for a western, like the director was trying make some statement but accidentally chose the wrong genre. Many inexplicable scenes and dialogue. I would like to say it was groundbreaking and ahead of its time, but it's not. Just as out of place and an oddity now as it was then.

It probably means something deep but that meaning is too deep for my brain.

Nobody's careers were built on this movie.

Strangely I enjoyed it and recommend a watch.
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I suggested it earlier in the thread. One of my all time favorites. Great cast, ok plot.
 
Was just reminded of "Jeremiah Johnson" (Robert Redford 1972) when I saw part of it on TV last night.

Like "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre," it's a little different than the "westerns" that I mentioned previously but it is certainly deserving of consideration as one of the better movies in that genre.
 
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POCEH KOCEB said:
Too bad “The Son” is only one season, I like it a lot…
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I assume you're talking about the Pierce Brosnan series? I haven't watched it yet but on 1movieshd. it shows two seasons are available. Down around the lower left corner of the viewing screen under the list of servers where the box says "Season 1", click on the arrow and you'll see "Season 2", then click on that.
 
Oh, great, thanks for pointing it out K killgar ...
That site ( 1movieshd ) if fire, love it, I've being watching bunch of new movies on it...
Yes, I'm talking about the one with Pierce Brosnan, so far very nice western,
I'm enjoying every series of it and I'm glad it have second season, I'll check it out in a few. :cool: :thumbsup:

On another note: I know it's old movie and not everyone remember it, but Little Big Man is outstanding western,
check it out if you didn't do it, it worth watching it. Great Cast, great work by Arthur Penn.

In 1970, 121-year-old Jack Crabb, the oldest man in the world, is residing in a hospice and recounts his life story to a curious historian.
Among other things, Crabb claims to have been a captive of the Cheyenne, a gunslinger, an associate of Wild Bill Hickok, a scout for General George Armstrong Custer, and the sole white survivor of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.[2]
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Tried for the 3rd and last time to watch "Yellowstone" on the Peacock Channel because the critics rave about it and also because I saw a segment on "Sunday Morning" today about the writer of the show.

However, the show still didn't "click" w/me. Just found it tediously boring and gave up on it again. I like Kevin Costner (as an actor) but the show is just NOT for me.
 
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sgt1372 said:
Tried for the 3rd and last time to watch "Yellowstone" on the Peacock Channel because the critics rave about it and also because I saw a segment on "Sunday Morning" today about the writer of the show.

However, the show still didn't "click" w/me. Just found it tediously boring and gave up on it again. I like Kevin Costner (as an actor) but the show is justs NOT for me.
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I've seen every episode of the first 4 seasons, but I'm NOT a fan. In my opinion, you saved yourself a lot of time.

I watched all of it hoping there would eventually be a rewarding payoff, like the family coming together, but it didn't happen.

The show just has an ugliness to it that turns me off. I don't like seeing shows or movies about family members being at each others throats trying to hurt each other. And the character of Beth is just so toxic and vile and seething with hate, again, a real turn-off.

And then there's John Dutton, who has former ranch hands murdered and their corpses tossed in a ravine (train ride), and then he postures himself as morally superior to others. I can't get behind a character like that.

And really, what the hell?! Murdering ex employees? It's a cattle ranch, not a drug cartel.

Like I said, it has a real ugliness to it.

Another complaint I have, I learned pretty much nothing about life on a cattle ranch. I wasn't expecting a documentary, but after 4 seasons I still don't know the difference between one type of cow/bull or another, or one type of horse or another. I learned that cows will die if they eat alfalfa, and I liked the scene where Walker taught Beth how to ride a horse, and there was one scene where Lloyd complained about having to ride one type of horse instead of another, but that was it as far as inside knowledge of cattle ranching and being a cowboy. And in my opinion, inside knowledge of a subject makes a movie or tv show a lot more entertaining.

I may watch the 5th season when it's available online for free. Actually now that I think about it, probably not.
 
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It's not exactly a "western" but "Dark Winds" that just premiered on Prime/AMC (not AMC+) is set in the west on Navajo reservation lands.

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I really liked the 1st episode and hope that the following episodes are as good.

The show is based on the characters created by Tony Hillerman (deceased) in his series of detective murder/mystery novels; many of which I have read, which is probably why I like the show (so far).

The primary characters are both Navajo policemen born on the reservation. Lt. Joe Leaphorn and Deputy Jim Chee (who in this series is also set up as an undercover FBI agent). Leaphorn and Chee are opposites that play off each other and learn to trust/rely on each other over time in the books.

It's just a question of how the script writers further develop the characters and the plot over the length of the series.

So, far it seems true to the tone of the novels, which gave the reader initimate insights into the life and perspective of the Navajo people in the context of a well written and gripping murder/mystery.

The visual landscapes of the high mt desert (probably northern New Mexico) and of Monument Valley (which stradles the NW border between AZ & UT) in the show are also visually stunning and immediately reminded me why I love traveling to and spending time in that part of the country.

Worth a look if any of this sounds at all interesting to you.

PS: I just watched Episode 2 on a pirate channel and it IS as good as the 1st! :)
 
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Was reminded of another not quite "classic" Western called "Hidalgo" that I like when I saw it again last night.

iu


The movie is supposedly based on a true story (which is unsubstantiated) about a purported long distance horse racer named Frank Hopkins (alledgedly 1/2 Indian/1/2 White) who is challenged to particpate in a 3000 mile race across a desert which (of course) he wins.

The movie stars Viggo Mortensen who plays Hopkins and co-stars Omar Sharif (in a supporting role) who plays an Arab shiek.

"Hidalgo" -- the horse that Hopkins rides in the movie -- is called a "mustang" but the horse actually appears to be an Apaloosa which is an ancient breed of horse noted for it's spotted appearance, which has it's origins in Central Asia and more likely arrived in the Americas via the land bridge across the Bering Straight (along w/the "native" people who populated the Americas before the Europeans "discovered" it), during the last ice age, rather than a wild American "mustang" which is a horse believed to have descended from horses brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers (that were later lost/stolen or released into the wild) and that later mixed w/other types of horses (like thoroughbreds/quarter horses) that were also released/lost into the wild.

There's actually a documentary which tracks the origin of the Apaloosa to Kyrgyzstan called "True Appaloosa (2008)" which is also worth watching. It's available for streaming on Prime Video.

iu


Whether the story is true or not and regardless of the origin of the horse, the movie is still quite entertaining as a unique type of western and I recommend watching it, if you haven't seen it before. It's available for viewing by streaming and/or on DVD.
 
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POCEH KOCEB said:
Quick update: https://1movieshd.com/movie/free-little-big-man-hd-11981

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That movie was absolutely epic. So much humor from the Narrator and he didn't give a whit about switching sides or flat out hoofing it if it saved his ass, so basically a mostly reality based view. Plus "LIttle Big Man, I'll be your wife". 🤣 The Indians didn't mind "two spirit people" as they called them. I thought that character was especially well done and funny, especially how he ribbed Hoffman's character.
 
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