The Blu-ray.com Community Top Western Films of All Time
yes! another list your favorites thread!
I can't believe we haven't already done one for westerns so let's get a list of our favorite western movies. I'm following the same formula as the other recent name your favorites threads so if you participated in any of those then you know how this works.
RULES ARE:
1) List your top 20 - 30 favorite western films in order. points are given as follows:
2) be sure to note the year for the film if it has been made more than once. for example true grit 1969 and true grit 2010.
3) everyone is welcome and encouraged to add their thoughts for each pick. you don't have to do it for each one but I always find it interesting to read.
4) just post a reply if you have any questions or comments or unsure if a certain movie qualifies. (as far as I'm concerned, if you think a movie should be on your list, go ahead and add it.)
5) DEADLINE IS 12:01 AM EASTERN TIME, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4. ( Three weeks should be enough to time to make your lists but I will probably extend it if necessary.) I will add them all up and post the results soon after.
1. Tombstone
2. The Revenant
3. The Outlaw Josey Wales
4. Unforgiven
5. Lonesome Dove
6. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
7. True Grit (2010)
8. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
9. The Good, the Bad & the Weird
10. Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid
11. The Magnificent Seven (1960)
12. The Wild Bunch
13. High Plains Drifter
14. Hang 'Em High
15. Dances with Wolves
16. 3:10 to Yuma (2007)
17. Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid
18. Open Range
19. Pale Rider
20. Silverado
21. Maverick
22. Hidalgo
23. Bone Tomahawk
24. Django Unchained
25. Jeramiah Johnson
Last edited by Troll2fan; 08-20-2016 at 07:16 PM.
Reason: Added Lonesome Dove
Maybe the last great classically-structured, wide-appeal Western with a wide appeal. An elegy.
2. True Grit (Coens, 2010)
Forget the Wayne/Bridges argument; the Coens' take presents a more refined and thoughtful take on Portis' story that thoroughly outstrips the original.
3. No Country for Old Men (Coens, 2007)
Though it recasts or eschews Western tropes, it has the proper scope. Chigurh is the death-engine that makes the genre run.
4. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (Ford, 1962)
Brilliant stuff--the film that helped me figure out both Stewart and Wayne as performers.
5. Once Upon a Time in the West (Leone, 1968)
Leone's most assured Western. Builds to an incredible crescendo--Leone knew from endings.
6. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (Dominick, 2007)
A funeral dirge; James is a resplendent specter.
7. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Leone, 1966)
The movie's greatness is so well-established that all we do anymore is argue about what color it should be.
8. Red River (Hawks, 1948)
Another indispensable key to my understanding of Wayne as a performer.
9. Django Unchained (Tarantino, 2012)
Like Inglourious, Tarantino's never better than when he's got something to prove.
10. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Hill, 1969)
One of the great end-of-the-line Westerns.
11. The Shooting (Hellman, 1966)
The acid Western at its finest; immerses itself in strangeness G,B,U tilts at.
12. Blazing Saddles (Brooks, 1974)
Expertly lampoons the Western's white-savior complex and culminates with a run of great metacinematic gags.
13. For a Few Dollars More (Leone, 1965)
Eastwood and Van Cleef have some great scenes, and the film builds to another great ending.
14. The Hateful 8 (Tarantino, 2015)*
I've only seen the Roadshow. Might find itself further up the list after a second viewing.
15. 3:10 to Yuma (1957) (Daves, 1957)
Pared down and pointed; effortlessly great.
16. The Proposition (Hillcoat, 2005)
Another great acid Western. Feels like it's set on the moon.
17. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (Peckinpah, 1974)
Closer to an amphetamine Western. Nervy and raw.
18. A Fistful of Dollars (Leone, 1965)
No Yojimbo, but still pretty great.
19. Stagecoach (Ford, 1939)
A survey of the genre.
20. The Wild Bunch (Peckinpah, 1969)
Peckinpah's unique intensity makes the film as good as it is.
21. Rio Bravo (Hawks, 1959)
A lot of great stuff, especially from the stars...if only it moved a little more quickly.
22. My Darling Clementine (Ford, 1946)
Ford makes it look easy, and Fonda's supremely grounded Earp is outstanding.
23. The Searchers (Ford, 1956)*
I understand why this film is held in such high regard, but haven't really cottoned to it.
24. Heaven's Gate (Cimino, 1980)
I once struggled to remember which three movies a few disparate scenes belonged to. Turns out they were all from Heaven's Gate.
25. Slow West (Maclean, 2015)
"Kill that house!" - Ben Mendelsohn's Star Wars cape should meet his coat from this one.
26. Tombstone (Cosmatos, 1993)
A Basic Cable classic.
27. Jeremiah Johnson (Pollack, 1972)
A shaggy, strange ancestor of The Revenant.
28. The Outlaw Josey Wales (Eastwood, 1976)*
I need to screen this one again.
29. The Man From Laramie (Mann, 1955)
Another one that I find easier to appreciate than to like.
(Asterisks indicate films I will try to watch again before the list deadline.)
Last edited by Feiereisel; 08-17-2016 at 02:00 PM.
What are we going to do with movies like 'Brokeback Mountain' or 'Cowboys & Aliens'? Also thinking about 'The Revenant' and 'Meek’s Cutoff', since they actually fit the genre. Accept or ...
1. There Will Be Blood
2. The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford
3. The Revenant
4. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
5. Django Unchained
6. Kill Bill Vol. 2
7. Dances with Wolves
8. No Country for Old Men
9. McCabe & Mrs Miller
10. The Outlaw Josey Wales
11. Bone Tomahawk
12. Slow West
13. Once Upon a Time in the West
14. The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada
15. Unforgiven
16. Brokeback Mountain
17. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia
18. The Hateful Eight
19. Ravenous
20. Dead Man
21. The Searchers
22. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
23. True Grit (2010)
24. Last of the Mohicans
25. 3:10 to Yuma (2007)
26. Back to the Future Part III
27. Rango
28. The Proposition
29. The Wild Bunch
30. Cold Mountain
What are we going to do with movies like 'Brokeback Mountain' or 'Cowboys & Aliens'? Also thinking about 'The Revenant' and 'Meek’s Cutoff', since they actually fit the genre. Accept or ...
01] The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
02] Once Upon A Time In the West
03] The Shootist
04] High Plains Drfiter
05] The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence
06] Unforgiven
07] The Wild Bunch
08] Blazing Saddles
09] The Searchers
10] The Outlaw Josey Wales
11] True Grit (2011)
12] Tombstone
13] Dances With Wolves
14] High Noon
15] Open Range
16] 3:10 To Yuma (2007)
17] Breakheart Pass
18] Duel At Diablo
19] Appaloosa
20] The Revenant
21] The Quick And The Dead
22] Maverick
23] Hannie Caulder
24] Pale Rider
25] El Dorado
26] Bone Tomahawk
27] Butch Cassidy
28] Gunfight at the OK Corral
29] The Professionals
30] True Grit (1969)
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Unforgiven
Once Upon a Time in the West
Stagecoach
The Searchers
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Rio Bravo
3:10 to Yuma (1957)
The Proposition
The Wild Bunch
2. Tombstone
3. Unforgiven
4. The Hateful Eight
5. Once Upon a Time in the West
.................
6. Blazing Saddles
7. Silverado
8. The Quick and the Dead
9. City Slickers
10. Support Your Local Sheriff
.................
11. Support Your Local Gunfighter
12. Young Guns
13. Young Guns 2
14. Quigley Down Under
15. Bone Tomahawk
.................
16. Rio Bravo
17. My Name Is Nobody
18. The Magnificent Seven
19. Hang 'Em High
20. Shane
Last edited by Rodney-2187; 08-16-2016 at 09:11 PM.
Haven't Seen: My Darling Clementine, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Red River, Rio Bravo, High Noon, Shane, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Jeremiah Johnson, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Fort Apache, High Plains Drifter, 3:10 to Yuma (1957), The Shootist
It's been so long since I've seen The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford that I don't remember much of it, and adding it to the list would be unfair since the last time I watched it was nearly a decade ago.
Last edited by Darth Marcus; 08-30-2016 at 08:18 PM.
The Good the Bad and the Ugly
The Quick and the Dead
The Frisco Kid
The Big Country
Blazing Saddles
Hannie Caulder
The Professionals
The Magnificent Seven
100 Rifles
Django Unchained
Hateful Eight
MacKennas Gold
The Villain
Unforgiven
The Hunting Party
Butch Cassidy
Bite the Bullet
Five Card Stud
The Searchers
Rio Bravo
What are we going to do with movies like 'Brokeback Mountain' or 'Cowboys & Aliens'? Also thinking about 'The Revenant' and 'Meek’s Cutoff', since they actually fit the genre. Accept or ...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hucksta G
I vote accept.
I'd love to vote on those too.
What about the super-rare sci-fi/western hybrid, like Serenity...?
01: The Revenant It's rare to see a film like this. It is one so beautiful and powerful, it becomes more than a mere film: it becomes an experience. And it is a grim and brutal one, as we watch the characters suffer under the violence of both men and nature. It is also an inspiring vision, thanks to the gorgeous cinematography, all-natural settings, sharp editing, and the phenomenal dedication of the cast and crew. Leonardo DiCaprio exudes primal emotion and pain with every inch he crawls, while Tom Hardy embodies a perfectly despicable villain. It's a simple revenge story, but it's told with incredible amounts of tension and savagery. Combined with evocative imagery, the film presents a journey that is as spiritually enlightening as it is aesthetic and thrilling. This is not only my favorite film of 2015, it may also be the most moving cinematic experience I've had in years.
02: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
Three men, one goal. It takes almost three hours to tell this simple story, but the film fills itself up with heart and personality, thanks to the playful three-way interaction between the characters. The film is rough around the edges and gritty, but it's also humorous and adventurous. Every scene is entertaining, all the way to the iconic finale, which is all the richer thanks to Ennio Morricone's epic score and stoic performances by three fabulous leads.
03: Duck, You Sucker! (aka A Fistful of Dynamite)
I never thought a western could be like this. Sergio Leone's last film in the genre is a long and adventurous tale that entwines more complex character-building, moral callings, and political conflict and references. Despite these seemingly-stuffy aspects, the film is still pumped with explosive action, levity, and a certain fighting spirit that fuels the characters and all their struggles (external and internal). It's not quite as black-and-white as Leone's previous work, but for all its density and conflict, it offers a truly unique western experience.
04: Dances with Wolves
We may have seen this kind of story before (both before and after this film's release), for it is a simple and fundamental tale that can apply to any setting or era. As a western, the film tracks John Dunbar's journey to the other side of the war, dipping him in a culture and way of life that changes and transforms him. What makes the film evocative is its craftsmanship (including gorgeous photography, top-notch acting, and a sweeping music score) and its focus on character. The latter gives the film its necessary heart and soul, and it is inspiring that way.
05: Django Unchained
Aw yeah, Quentin Tarantino does a western. He's handled the western tropes and flourishes in other films, but working with the genre in full for the first time, the man hits his stride admirably. His film is quite entertaining, full of outrageous violence and over-the-top humor. It's also a decent story full of interesting characters. Combined with the typical Tarantino flair, the film is as engaging as it is decadent.
06: The Good, The Bad, and the Weird
The western from the east. Kim Jee-Woon's Manchurian epic is crammed full of action and style, and it is a blast to watch beginning-to-end. Story's simple, but the characters are great and it's all well-crafted.
07: The Outlaw Josey Wales Clint Eastwood's portrayal as Josey Wales shows just how awesome an outlaw character can be. His story elicits decent sympathy, even when he's at his meanest and surliest. Best of all, he kicks plenty of butt and gets his payback, and his adventure doing so is one full of bloody mayhem and occasional bursts of colorful humor and spirit.
08: The Hateful Eight
Quentin Tarantino's latest western may be the man's most troubling work--it's as poignant and indulgent as it is long and well-crafted. This is a film built entirely on dialogue and character building, which will bore many film fans, especially with numerous scenes that don't seem to add much. Others will be repulsed by the massive bloodshed and the sheer brutality. Despite the focus on characters, these are probably the least likable wild bunch since Game of Thrones. Racism, bigotry, and sexism collide into a hateful stew that can be hard to swallow. There is no denying that the film is gorgeous though, with top-notch camera work, sharp editing, and phenomenal acting. Even with all its excesses, the film is still fascinating, thanks to the playful way it toys with secrets and paranoia in the confines of a single haberdashery.
09: True Grit (2010)
Same story as before, but in the Coen Bros' hands, it's a very slick film with superb performances and a much more somber tone. Style and feeling alone elevates a decent tale to one of the best in the genre.
10: Cold Mountain
This might be the most brutal frontier film I know of. After the initial war scenes, the film exudes sorrow as the character endure extreme pain and suffering at the hands of violent men. The cast is great and sheds some invoking humanitarian light on this harrowing journey.
11: Back to the Future Part III
Well, I always was a bigger sci-fi fan than a western fan. The third part of this sci-fi comedy series sees the classic gang in the old west, and it's still a blast to watch Marty and the Doc trying to get their time machine back together. In this new setting, all the classic western tropes are toyed with in humorous ways. Thanks to the spirited cast, hilarious script, and slick production value, the film is an entertaining adventure no matter what era or genre you rank it.
12: High Plains Drifter
This film might be one of the wickedest westerns on this here list. This is a film of pure rage and vengeance, and thanks to Clint Eastwood's standard machismo, it comes off as an awesome, cathartic experience.
13: Tombstone
A little disjointed perhaps, but the film earns its place thanks to its fantastic cast and script. So many awesome lines. So many iconic character moments. So many bloody shootouts. So much comedy. So much character. What else could one ask for?
14: 3:10 to Yuma (2007)
The 2007 retelling of this classic western pads the story with a whole lot more of everything: more incredible action, more style, more adventure. Best of all, it's still a pretty decent story at its core, and the questioning nature of the characters remain. It thrills just as much as it elicits thought.
15: Shane As simple and fundamental of a western as anybody could ask for. It's got good guys fighting bad guys. Shane is a hero we can all look up to, and even the characters on-screen find him inspirational. All the classic tropes are in play pretty tastefully, but the film is beautifully-shot to give it all style and class.
16: A Fistfull of Dollars
Sergio Leone's answer to Kurosawa's Yojimbo (which, in turn, comes from an old American detective novel--goes to show that this story can fit anywhere). The story's swell, but Leone's gritty style and Eastwood's performance makes it all macho and awesome.
17: There Will Be Blood This film is a milkshake with a long straw. It takes so long to fully consume, but it tastes so good. Cinematography, performances, story are all exceptional, and the film takes its time to lay it out beautifully. It's also mean when it needs to be--the brutal finale cements the film as one of the deepest tales of corruption and power since Citizen Kane.
18: True Grit (1969) A wonderful story told pretty well with an iconic performance by John Wayne. It's got to be the most thrilling and colorful adventure in the man's career.
19: Hang 'Em High An oldie but goodie. A very young Clint Eastwood busts into the scene with all the same guts and glory that would define his career. Despite failing to reach its full storytelling potential (because sequels), the film is still has enough grit to make it fun.
20: The Lone Ranger (2013)
A massive flop in its time, 2013's Lone Ranger reboot is a crazy adventure full of insane action, comedy, and over-the-top absurdity. Even though it's excessive, it's never a bore--the film is a colorful and breezy adventure that still manages to squeeze in relevant characterization. As fast and loose as it is, this is my kind of western.
21: Jeremiah Johnson
With Robert Redford's dedicated performance, this film is pure character. Even at its slowest, the film remains engaging thanks to how closely it tracks the title character and all his struggles to survive.
22: Once Upon a Time in the West
Long, to the point where it might strain some patience, Sergio Leone's epic is still one cool film with awesome heroes and villains and lots of style.
23: Appaloosa (2008)
Coming out in a time when new westerns in general were rare, Ed Harris' film is a rare breed. Its pace is a slow crawl, but it's still engaging thanks to its quality characters, nuanced performances, and ironclad style.
24: Purgatory (1999)
This made-for-TV western has a pretty neat twist (insinuated in the title). The film has its share of action, but it's the story and characters that dominate and make it worthwhile--the substance is pretty satisfying.
25: Slow West
Well-shot, good performances, and an interesting story with equal parts humor, action, and personality.
26: Seraphim Falls
Pierce Brosnan vs Liam Neeson. Nuff said.
27: For A Few Dollars More
Has more of everything we all know and love out of A Fistfull of Dollars. All the defining elements are there, but elevated to more absurd levels. They shoot hats in this film, don't they?
28: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence
It's a good film, plain and simple. Good performances, good cinematography, good story, good everything.
29: 3:10 to Yuma (1957) A slow-burning study on good and evil characters, captured in exquisite photography.
30: Wild Wild West
I know this film is dumb. I'm still voting on it because I never though this was all that bad of an adventure--it's pretty much Men in Black in the wild west, complete with Barry Sonnenfeld's zany style and illusionist-type of visual gags. While some of the comedy falls flat, there is a ton of over-the-top action and a plethora of steampunk gadgetry. The film has style, color, action, humor--I think it's a blast, and it comes out as my biggest guilty-pleasure-western of them all.
Last edited by Al_The_Strange; 09-05-2016 at 03:12 AM.
What are we going to do with movies like 'Brokeback Mountain' or 'Cowboys & Aliens'? Also thinking about 'The Revenant' and 'Meek’s Cutoff', since they actually fit the genre. Accept or ...
they're fine. anything with a western theme even if it crosses into other genres.
1. The Searchers
2. Unforgiven
3. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
4. High Noon
5. Guns of The Magnificent Seven
6. El Dorado
7. High Plains Drifter
8. Once Upon a Time in The West
9. Tombstone
10. The Big Country
11. They Call Me Trinity
12. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
13. The Magnificent Seven
14. 3:10 To Yuma (1957)
15. Shane
16. Red River
17. Gunfight at The O.K Corral
18. Stagecoach (1939)
19. Warlock
20. Lust in The Dust
What about the super-rare sci-fi/western hybrid, like Serenity...?
I'm not familiar with this one. It doesn't look very western to me but use your own judgment. If you consider it one of your favorite westerns then go ahead and add it.
For my own list I'm trying to use the guidelines that it either needs to take place in an old west type setting or during the old west time period or have a lot of western themes.
01) The Last of the Mohicans (M. Mann, 1992)
02) Heaven's Gate (M. Cimino, 1980)
03) The Big Trail (R. Walsh, 1930)
04) Dances with Wolves (K. Costner, 1990)
05) They Call Me Trinity (E.B. Clucher, 1970)
06) Trinity Is Still My Name (E.B. Clucher, 1971)
07) Red River (H. Hawks, 1948)
08) My Name is Nobody (T. Valerii, 1973)
09) Once Upon a Time in the West (S. Leone, 1968)
09) Rio Bravo (H. Hawks, 1959)
10) The Outlaw Josey Wales (C. Eastwood, 1976)
11) The Wind (V. Sjostrom, 1928)
12) My Darling Clementine (J. Ford, 1946)
13) The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (S. Leone, 1966)
14) The Ox-Bow Incident (W. Wellman, 1943)
15) Cold Mountain (A. Minghella, 2003)
16) Pale Rider (C. Eastwood, 1985)
17) Stagecoach (J. Ford, 1939)
18) Ace High (G. Colizzi, 1968)
19) Boot Hill (G. Colizzi, 1969)
20) The Searchers (J. Ford, 1956)
21) The Wild Bunch (S. Peckinpah, 1968)
22) Open Range (K. Costner, 2003)
23) Unforgiven (C. Eastwood, 1992)
24) The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (J. Ford, 1962)
25) High Noon (F. Zinnemann, 1952)
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