Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
Just finished watching the 2010 Cohen Bros. version of True Grit. A couple of weekends ago I watched the 1969 John Wayne version. (I am not sure which is better.) So, I now want to have a son and name him Rooster Cogburn. Either that or legally change my own name to Rooster Cogburn.
Anyways, Westerns are something I never really have gotten in to. However, our Western mythology is pure American, and I (being a glutton for all things) want more more more more more.
I am perfectly willing to accept that True Grit, being superlative, has probably completely wrecked my appreciation curve, because it seems to me to be utter perfection: Alcoholism, guns, horses, untamed land, trains, Civil-War vets, more guns, Indian Territory, a Texas Ranger, men being hanged, a guy with an eye patch named Rooster [expletive] Cogburn, and of course, the quest for vengeance in its purest and most just form.
However, I am willing to entertain suggestions for other superlative Western novels or films (preferably the latter being streamable on Netflix).
So, friends, I turn to you. Please suggest some other Westerns I might enjoy.
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Comments:
May '11
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
I've always enjoyed Silverado, El Dorado, McClintock, Magnificent Seven, and, interestingly, Quigley Down Under.
With the discussion of Magnificent Seven and Seven Samurai, I'm surprised no mention has been made of the other, "related" film... The Three Amigos. :) "It's...a sweater!"
Feb '11
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
Western Chauvinist: I can't top the earlier suggestions, but for animated westerns, you could try "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" by Dreamworks. The excellent soundtrack is by Bryan Adams.
Note: No animals were injured in the making of this movie. · 7 minutes ago
Western Chauvinist, I love ya, but I cannot agree with a word you have said here, except that this movie was made by DreamWorks. This movie review sums up my feelings on this visually powerful but sickening movie indoctrination attempt.
Mar '11
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
Red River, High Noon, Man Who Shot Liberty Valence, Stagecoach, the Howard Hawks' cavalry Trilogy, among thousands of others.
Jul '11
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
You seem to be implying that this movie is no good? I love this movie! Should be on any list of great westerns...
Aug '10
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
I was never a huge fan of westerns, but here's my list:
Post-Apocalyptic Movies That Might As Well Be Westerns
- The Road Warrior
- The Book of Eli - Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman
- The Road - Viggo Mortensen, Robert Duvall, Charlize Theron
- Survival of the Dead - George A. Romero's most recent zombie movie. Not his best, but still very interesting.
Edited on May 9, 2012 at 6:17pmAug '11
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
"Lonesome Dove." Read the book first then watch the series. This is an absolute classic. Great story, characters, acting, scenery, music. "The Unforgiven" also gets a nod from me - gritty, realistic, amazing. "Silverado" is great. I must say, I lean toward more modern stuff - better filmaking generally.
Jan '11
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
What made the west such an interesting place? It had no law. Better phrased, the west was a place where people dealt with each other before social institutions were in place. We get to examine society and its institutions and conventions from the ground up.
For me, the great westerns are all stories about the humanity beneath the institutions of society. That's why Silverado doesn't work for me; it's just a bunch of cardboard characters strutting around, who have nothing to say.
Aug '11
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
Yeah, I did. And I sheepishly admit I've barely gotten around to watching any. Started watching "High Noon" recently, but before I finished it, I gave it to my dad to watch while he was laid up with ankle surgery. Ah, well . . .
Dec '11
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
Several have mentioned The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, my personal favorite and a great movie for conservatives: Wayne as the rugged individualist with a sense of personal moral justice; Stewart as the defender of American legal principles. It's the most thoughtful of the classic Westerns.
And I second the vote for Lonesome Dove, a great miniseries that gives you time to really get to know and love the characters. The prequels and sequels aren't worth much time, though.
Finally, I have a soft sport for the Mel Gibson Maverick movies, which plays like a movie-length Boys Own western...or a really good episode of the old TV series.
Apr '11
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
I especially second The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Shane, Lonesome Dove, both True Grits (but especially the Coen version), The Searchers, Rio Bravo, and Unforgiven. I also like The Shootist, though it's been forever since I've seen it. My personal favorite may be Liberty Valance. Anything with Lee Marvin should be at the top of the list. Two questions regarding Valance: 1) Of course Wayne is the hero, and Stewart is looked at as a bit of a fraud, living off a legend, riding a sort of a lie all the way to the senate...but whether Stewart actually pulls the trigger that kills Valance is really beside the point, isn't it? After all, whoever fired the shot, it was Stewart (Stoddard) who had the courage to face Valance down in the street. And 2) I love the Gene Pitney song. Should they have found some way to incorporate it into the movie, maybe over the closing credits? Or would it have ruined the mood? I've read that Ford hated the song.
Nov '10
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
Brian Clendinen: "Cowboy Bebop"
A sci-fi/Western (really a western set in the future) Anima TV series and Movie (one 26 episode season and a movie). One of the best Anima series of all times. I think Whedon got his idea for Firefly from it (which I would add to the list).
As far as foreign-animated sci-fi westerns go, I'd sooner go with Trigun. Cowboy Bebop is more noirish (though the comparisons to Firefly are spot-on; as an aside, nothing gets my nerd rage fired up more than people saying Firefly is anything like Outlaw Star, compared to Cowboy Bebop), while Trigun is much more actually western (though the sci-fi really starts kicking in towards the end).
Edited on May 9, 2012 at 5:33pmMay '12
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
Don't forget the the sequel to Lonesome Dove", the "Streets of Laredo" with James Garner, is also excellent.
Also, John Wayne's last movie, "The Shootist", has not been mentioned.
If you enjoy a little humor as well, you may want to add, "Support Your Local Sheriff" to the list.
Mar '11
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
I'm sure these have been mentioned, but a couple of my favorites are :Once upon a time in the west (if only for the music) and The Professionals (with Lee Marvin and Burt Lancaster). Another couple of favorites are The Bravodos (with Gregory Peck) and Chato's Land (even a man can admire Charles Bronson's chiseled physique).
Nov '11
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
I haven't seen his name yet, so just wanted to give a shout-out to John Ford, the great director behind many of the movies named so far.But if you watch his westerns and want more, you're in luck, because his non-Westerns (The Quiet Man with Wayne and O'Hara, The Long Gray Line about West Point with Power and O'Hara, and The Informer about the IRA with the inimitable Victor McLaglen, for starters) are even better!
Also, people mentioned High Noon and Rio Bravo, both great picks, and in case you don't know, Rio Bravo was made as a reply to High Noon, a film which infuriated John Wayne because it had so little faith in people (showing all the townspeople as cowards who abandon their sheriff). So Rio Bravo depicts a different, braver side of ordinary folk. It's sorta like occupied France vs blitzed England in terms of worldview, definitely worth watching them as a double feature to see two competing views of humanity.
In terms of recent Westerns, unfortunately a neglected genre, I would vote for The Proposition, set in the Australian outback.
Dec '10
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
Shane is not only the best Western movie, but the best movie of all time. Followed closely by High Noon.
Nov '11
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
Tuesday night on TCM, they're showing The Ox-Bow Incident, not a typical Western (it's basically a one-location stage play, only with people dressed as cowboys), but still very, very good.
Aug '10
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
I haven't seen it, but Jean Dujardin (the guy from The Artist) played the lead in a big-screen version of Lucky Luke.
Dec '11
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
Matt, I agree with you. Both men are heroes, and it took both of them to deal with Valance. I like to think that Stoddard's knowledge of his own limitations made him a sadder but wiser man, and prevented him from ever becoming a corrupt politician.
May '12
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
I can't believe we've gotten to comment #59 without anyone mentioning Monte Walsh -- Lee Marvin and Jack Palance as two cowboys watching their way of life disappear as railroads made the trail ride a thing of the past, and Jeanne Moreau as Marvin's lover. Or if you prefer, a more recent version with Tom Selleck and Keith Carradine (and Isabella Rossellini)
Apr '11
Re: Can You Suggest Any Superlative Westerns?
Greg Cook
Matt, I agree with you. Both men are heroes, and it took both of them to deal with Valance. I like to think that Stoddard's knowledge of his own limitations made him a sadder but wiser man, and prevented him from ever becoming a corrupt politician. · 12 minutes ago
Yes, I should have been more clear. Wayne is a hero too. He sacrifices his chance at a life with the girl when he shoots Valance and saves Stoddard.
Regarding Shane, I've long thought that part of its greatness is that it doesn't have Wayne in it. As much as I like Wayne, he is such an overpowering presence that I can't help thinking "Now I am Watching a John Wayne Movie."