Posted on 11/13/2010 9:31:23 AM PST by JoeProBono
"What components make a western truly great? That depends on who's asking, as there are so many subgenres and different takes. There's the classic, the Spaghetti western, the singing cowboy western, the comedy western and the contemporary western. We tend to favor the slow-moving epics à la Leone over fast shoot-'em-ups, and our gunslingers and cowboys to be complex, stoic characters faced with morally difficult situations we believe are microcosms for all of life. There were many contenders for this very American genre—even though some of the finest were shot by an Italian. We've also tried to include a couple of rare choices that do not easily spring to mind, such as the Australian oeuvre "The Proposition." After all, you can Google John Wayne yourself. But what list of top westerns would be complete without The Duke?"
Lots of good ones. However I think I will put “The Searchers” at the top of my list.
Just to toss one out there that no one else will say, I think “The Scalphunters” is a pretty entertaining western. Burt Lancaster, Ossie Davis, Telly Sevalas, Shelley Winters.
The original 3:10 is fantastic. The new one was allright.
I was on a Lonesome Dove kick there for about 6 months.
I recall carrying the book around with me and would cherish each word I read. The series was absolutely marvelous.
I kind of go from extremes because after that it was Pride & Prejudice the 6 hour mini series that I got obsessed about.
At any rate, I loved Lonesome Dove.
What was the name of the movie where the bad buy was shot by someone else hiding across the street, but gave credit to someone else for the killing in order to make him the hero do you recall
Melissa
Cat Ballou
Lonely are the Brave, Kirk Douglas 1962
Love the song.
I'm not sure if you've seen it so I'll give you the basics assuming that you have not seen it. Wayne's character was an A**hole! I thought it was the best performance he ever gave honestly. But the character and his son (Montgomery Clift) were at each others throat the entire movie. At the end of the movie they got into a fight and they basically had a smile and hug feel good moment at the end. My understanding is that Clift's character was suppose to kill Wayne's character. The studio didn't want Wayne dying and they sure didn't want movie goers seeing him as a villain so they had this radical personality change at the end. I like to say that the movie suddenly turned into McLintock! at the end.
in no particular order:
Unforgiven
Tombstone
The Shootist
True Grit
The Searchers
and many others but these are my favorite.
Wasn’t sure what hotel you are at to send you a wire but this may be of interest to you.
Bad Day at Black Rock
Who can forget Will Caine? The polt in this movie has been written about for over 50 years. I can remember it now. Cooper and Grace Kelly as the Marshall and his Quaker Fiance and Lloyd Bridges as the week kneed deputy. Katy Jerado as the ex girl friend. Background music was “Do Not Forsake Me oh my Darling” sung by Tex Ritter. The bad guys were as bad as it gets. This has got to be on top of the list.
“They Call Me Trinity” and “Trinity is Still My Name”
Unforgiven
I can’t believe that only one person has mentioned Shane so far. That has to be one of the best westerns ever made.
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