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My Top Ten Western Movies
 

These are in no particular order. You can't say one is better than another.

 

The Searchers (John Wayne, 1955.) The first western I ever saw in a theater. A dark, "psychological" western that explores some controversial topics for the 1950s, especially racism. 

High Noon (Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly,1952.) Another "psychological" western. John Waybe hated it, but it won four Academy awards. What if you had to go to a shootout with some bad outlaws and none of your friends came to help you out?

Shane (Alan Ladd, 1952.) Incredible Technicolor photography, interesting closeups, much symbolism, great scenery, a complicated romance, shootouts, and an annoying child-actor thrown into the mix.

Pale Rider (Clint Eastwood, 1986.) Probably the one western I've seen the most. It is, in large part, consciously derived from the major themes of Shane, but adds a spooky twist. It is my favorite Eastwood film.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (ClintEastwood, 1967.) The "prequel" to the other two spaghetti westerns by Sergio Leone that feature Eastwood. Clint is actually upstaged by Eli Wallach in his performance as Mexican outlaw Tuco. Lee Van Cleef plays Angel Eyes, a thoroughly despicable and evil gunman. Leone's movies launched both Eastwood and Van Cleef into stardom.

Once Upon a Time in the West (A classic Sergio Leone film starring Henry Fonda, Claudia Cardinale, Jason Robards, and Charles Bronson, 1969.) Under-appreciated when released in the USA, this is Leone's finest western, and perhaps one of the finest westerns ever filmed. If a western could be an Italian opera, this is it. The big surprise in this film is Fonda's performance as a psychopathic gunman/killer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

True Grit (John Wayne, 1969.) Wayne won an Academy award as best actor for his performance as Rooster Cogburn, U.S. Marshal in the Indian Territories. Wayne was great, but supporting actor/singer Glen Campbell was a poor choice. Kim Darby was excellent as the headstrong, vengeance-seeking 13 year old Mattie Ross.

True Grit (Jeff Bridges, 2010.) I never thought John Wayne's movie could be equalled, but in many respects, this re-make is even better than the original. Besides incredible performances by Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, and Hailee Steinfeld, the setting, attention to historical detail, sets, costuming, firearms, and scenery are simply outstanding.

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (Humphrey Bogart, 1947.) A 20th century "western" set in 1920s Mexico. A tale of hard luck and high hopes, greed, suspicion, paranoia...you name it. Bogart plays a pshychotic character plagued by gold fever, paranoid delusions, and guilt. He gets what he deserves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Magnificent Seven (Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Eli Wallach, Charles Bronson,1960.) This classic western spawned several sequels and copy-cat movies. (As such, it might be the western version of Planet of the Apes!) Seven brothers in arms (all gunmen for hire) pool their talents and forget their greed to save a small Mexican village from the ravages of a Mexican bandit (Eli Wallach) and his gang. It's a movie about redemption.

 

Some other movies I like very much include: The Unforgiven, and The Outlaw Josie Wales (Clint Eastwood), Open Range (Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall), Dances With Wolves (Costner), Apaloosa (Ed Harris, Vigo Mortensen), Hondo, The Cowboys, and the Horse Soldiers (all starring John Wayne), Jeremiah Johnson (Robert Redford), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Paul Newman, Robert Redford), Young Guns (Emilio Estevez), The Professionals (Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster, Claudia Cardinale.) I can list dozens more, but won't.

 

Perhaps this is controversial to some, but I am NOT a fan of Tombstone (Kurt Russel and Val Kilmer.) First, I'm weary of stories (movies, books, articles) concerning Wyatt Earp, but more importantly I think the movie is "over the top" in terms of gratuitous vioiolence. I think some of the characters are overacted, although I think Val Kilmer gave a fine performance as Doc Holliday.) I actually prefer Kevin Costner's movie entitled Wyatt Earp, as it gives greater insight into Wyatt's history and persona. Unfortunately, Costner's film is too long and not violent enough for the average audience to compete with Tombstone, which was released, ironically, the same year as Wyatt Earp.

 

What about Lonesome Dove? It is a classic Television mini-series. I like almost everything Larry McMurtry writes, including the sequel and two prequels to Lonesome Dove (and the TV adaptations) as well as some of his lesser-known novels of the old and new West.

 

My top three TV western series of the 1950s through ''70s are: Gunsmoke, The High Chaparral, and Rawhide. These were all realistic westerns with fine actors and interesting plot development. James Arness (as Marshal Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke)  was, and still is, my hero. 

 

 

 

 

 

This "still life" recalls a scene in "Once upon a time..." in which Harmonica (Bronson) foils Frank's attempt to gain control over the property of Jill (Cardinale) at a set-up auction. Frank (Fonda) buys Harmonica a drink and offers him one dollar over what Harmonica paid for her property. Harmonica drinks the whiskey and declines the offer, which is basically a threat by Frank. As he leaves, he pays for the drink by dropping Frank's silver dollar in the whiskey glass.

"Badges? We don't have to show you any stinking badges!" A famous line from "Treasure..." by the bandit leader trying to get his hands on Bogart's and his friends' gold.

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