My Favourite Westerns

Sergio Leone's masterpiece is breathtaking from start to finish. It's full of great characters especially Henry Fonda's baddie, who is so evil, that he makes you want to step into the screen and kill him yourself.

I don't care much for Japanese Samurai movies. So don't preach to me about how this was based on one. All I know is this is one of the greatest westerns, with one of the greatest ensemble casts. Yul Byrnner is the coolest cowboy who ever walked the planet, and he's backed up by western legends, Charles Bronson and James Coburn. I loved the chemistry between Byrnner and McQueen, and how director John Sturges lets each character develop throughout the movie. The direction is also complemented by the Elmer Bernstein's wonderful score, which added a great tension to the gunfights, which were also impressive.

Excellent Western. Four grizzled vets head down to Mexico to face off with baddie Jack Palance and rescue bombshell Claudia Cardinale. The Professionals is well written and highly entertaining, with an all-star cast lead by super bad-ass Lee Marvin. I loved the chemistry between Marvin and Lancaster, and the subtle performances from Robert Ryan and Woody Strode. The Professionals may not be as good as it's predecessor The Magnificent Seven, but it comes very close.

Great western. Although very similar to Hawk's later movie El Dorado, it has enough originality to stand alone. The Duke is his usual best, with great support from a wonderful Dean Martin, and an extremely foxy Angie Dickinson. Rio Bravo is one of the few westerns that are re-watchable, as it's humor, tense action scenes and great performances, set it apart from most others.

Excellent movie. The beautiful landscapes, and stirring soundtrack really grab you from the start, and the stunning performances make it a memorable experience.

This is the flip side to A Wonderful Life. Instead of the whole town rallying together, they all abandon poor old Gary Cooper to save themselves. Heartbreaking and tense until the very end. Great stuff.

The final part of the man with no name trilogy is a lot more grander in production, and epic than Leone's previous two westerns.
Although Clint still remains the coolest cowboy in the west, its Eli Wallach's humor that steals the show as Tuco. Also the score throughout is wonderful, especially in the final showdown between the 3 gunmen.

Great western. Costner's directorial debut is impressive and beautifully shot, with stunning visuals of the American frontier. The story was always engaging, with great characters, and a sense of unpredictability. I found Costner's character very likable, as his portrayal of a naive cavalry soldier, with a romantic vision of the old west, is both believable and humorous at times. The action scenes were also impressive, with a jaw dropping buffalo hunt sequence, which for me, was the highlight of the movie.

Another great western from Eastwood. I loved the humor from the old woman and the Indian, and how Clint's charisma stood out with his numerous one liners and quick-draw action. This ranks high amongst Eastwood's filmography in my opinion, as well as westerns in general.

Excellent movie. Pairing Hollywood heavyweights John Wayne and James Stewart was a masterstroke from legendary director John Ford. I loved the chemistry between them and the wonderful supporting cast. But it's Lee Marvin as nasty villain Liberty Valance who steals the show.

Great movie. The wonderful cast put in great performances, especially Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday. Although I liked how the action and drama were well balanced, I did think the direction felt like a TV movie at times.
Tombstone is definitely one of the best westerns of recent years.

This is the 2nd movie collaboration between Eastwood and director Sergio Leone. Like A Fistful of Dollars, the story takes the revenge and greed narrative, but with a lot more violence and twistier plot. I loved the chemistry between Clint and Lee Van Cleef, and how the score once again complimented the direction.

Good effort from Costner. There is a nice chemistry between all involved and an excellent gun fight at the end.

A fantastic western. Errol Flynn is magnificent, as his transition from swashbuckler to western seems effortless, and he proves he's just adept with a gun as he is with a sword. This is a must see for all western fans as it paved the way for the genre.

Great movie. Eastwood made his name in westerns, and he left is final mark with Unforgiven. Like the recent Gran Torino, he plays homage to the directors who made him a star, Sergio Leone in this case. But Clint has his own style too, his direct and honest direction, that at times is harsh and unyielding, is what I love about his movies, and what has probably brought him his Oscar success twice as a director. The cast are amazing, with top performances from Richard Harris and Morgan Freeman. But Gene Hackman as Little Bill Daggett is terrific. His cruel performance is close second to Henry Fonda's in Once Upon a Time in The West, as the best western Baddie.

Great movie. Like The Wild Bunch director Sam Peckinpah gives you the difficult choice of which character's side to take. The performances from Coburn and Kristofferson are excellent, and they're complemented by Bob Dylan's wonderful soundtrack. Although it's filled with powerful scenes, I thought some of the editing was shocking. But it's still a great western, and a most see for fans of the genre.

Fantastic western. Eastwood is flawless in his first major movie role, playing the man with no name. I loved how the story was both intelligent and exciting, with plenty of gunfights and great one liners. Also there's a really great musical score, that adds to the slick direction from Leone.

A great movie. Stunning performances from both Bale and Crowe. As good as any classic western I've seen.

The Wild Bunch is probably one of the more honest depictions of the old west, as Sam Peckinpah's powerful direction gives you a real sense of realism.
I loved the chemistry between the actors, and how the shootouts where a lot more authentic than most other westerns.

Great Western. I loved the chemistry and dialogue between the 2 main characters, and Jeremy Irons was menacing as the villain. Ed Harris did a great job directing. Some of his camera work was reminiscent of the old style Hawks/Ford westerns (Rio Bravo in particular). And even though it got a little slow near the end there's enough tension, fast-humor, and action to keep you entertained.

I'm a big Any Lee fan, so I was curious to see his venture into the Western genre. Ride With The Devil is a great movie, with authentic dialogue, strong performances, and impressive camera work.

Great movie. The Good, the Bad, and the Weird plays homage to Leone's classic, by adopting a similar storyline, and characters. The 3 leads were marvellous, especially the baddie. Although it felt a little too long, there was plenty of action, humour, and wonderful cinematography, to keep you entertained.

Great western. James Stewart is excellent as a gunman, seeking revenge over the death of his father. Winchester '73 has all the ingredients for a great western, with gunfights, Indians, chases, great cinematography, a foxy lady, a bank robbery, and a nasty villain.So satisfaction guaranteed.

Another great John Ford Western. Fort Apache tells the story of a bitter colonel who gets assigned to a remote fort after a brilliant war record. Director Ford's portrayal of the actual story shines the light on Colonel Thursday as a glory hunting fool, rather than a heroic war hero. I loved the performances from The Duke and Fonda, who are given able support from an adult Shirley Temple, and then husband John Ager. I also thought the cinematography was first-class, and I enjoyed the authentic dialogue. Fort Apache is a definite must see for all Western fans.

Great western. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, is the 2nd of John Ford's cavalry trilogy. The Duke stars as Captain Nathan Brittles, who on the eve of retirement, takes out a last patrol to stop an impending massive Indian attack. Like most John Ford westerns, there is plenty of action, humor, and great performances. Ben Johnson and John Ager reprise their roles as cavalry soldiers, and Joanne Dru provides the eye candy. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is another Wayne/Ford classic that's not to be missed.

The final installment of John Ford's cavalry trilogy, is as intelligent and entertaining as its predecessors. The duke reprises his role as Lt. Col. Kirby Yorke, the role he first played in Fort Apache, and is rejoined by Ben Johnson who reprises his role his role as Sgt. Tyree from She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (confusing I know). Along with other familiar actors from the trilogy, screen goddess Maureen O'Hara provides the eye candy on this occasion, in her first of 5 appearances alongside The Duke.
Rio Grande may not be as memorable as the first 2, but it's got all the right ingrediants that make a great western.

Good movie. Not your typical western, with more emphasis put on drama, rather than Cowboys vs Indians. Redford plays a ex-cavalry soldier, who becomes a mountain man. It all goes well until he pisses off clan of Indians, who then go on hunt for his scalp. Jeremiah Johnson is beautifully shot, with some memorable moments, and Redford is fantastic in the lead role.

Another great John Ford western. Henry Fonda is great a legendary lawman Wyatt Earp, and is supported by a decent cast. The cinematography is excellent with some great gunfights and chase scenes. This has always been regarded as one of the all-time great westerns by film critic's, and I can see why.

Great Western. The Shootist is an enjoyable retrospect of The Duke's career both as the characters he's played, and as an actor. With wonderful support from screen legends Lauren Bacall and James Stewart, and geeky teen idol, now big time director, Ron Howard lending a hand too. The dialogue is intelligent, and like Don Siegel's earlier picture, 'Dirty Harry', you can always count on realism and honest storytelling.
The Shootist is a fine swansong for Wayne, who hung up his spurs soon after.

Great western. Old school cowboys Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott, are superb in this lesser known western. The movie is beautifully shot, with some stunning scenery on show, and cast do an excellent job, with an intelligent script. Director Sam Peckinpah later became famous for directing The Wild Bunch and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, but I prefer this one.

Basically a retelling of Shane, Eastwood style. I thought the story this time was a lot better told, but the shootouts were a bit wooden and few and far between. It's still a must see for Eastwood fans.

Great Spaghetti western. Bad ass cowboy Lee Van Cleef opts for a hero's role in this revenge movie. With an original story, and great shootouts, Death Rides A Horse is as great as it's title.

Great western. Django is probably the only other spaghetti western of the same caliber as Leone's classic's. It has the same stylish camera work, and great gun fights. The cheesy theme tune, and some terrible dialogue are two minor faults, of an otherwise awesome western.

Great western. Red River tells the story of a 1000 mile cattle drive across the old west. Similar story to A Mutiny on the Bounty, as The Duke and Montgomery Clift square off against each other. I thought for a while Wayne would finally get to be a villain, but spoil sport Joanne Dru puts a stop to that. Although Red River was epic in length, legendary director Howard Hawks keep the story engaging, with plenty of drama, humor, and great cinematography.

Great western. Super tough guy Charles Bronson joins forces with a Samurai and a Bond Girl, in this entertaining western. There's plenty of humor and gunfights, and director Terence Young's flowing direction, and the stunning Ursula Andress, make it very easy on the eyes.

Great Western. The Duke seeks revenge on a ruthless mine owner who had him framed and sent to prison. He plans to do so by stealing his gold. The War Wagon is great fun with plenty of exciting action and constant comic relief. The interplay between Wayne and Douglas was sharp and sarcastic, making them an entertaining duo Overall well worth checking out.

Good movie. On it's release it was given very harsh treatment by the critics, mostly due to being over-budget and too long. Heaven's Gate is a solid western, with great performances, a beautiful musical score, and some stunning cinematography. Director Michael Cimino may have had his haters in Hollywood during that time, which may have been out of jealousy due to his earlier triumphs for The Deer Hunter. Heaven's Gate is as good as any epic of that era, and much better than Out of Africa and Once Upon a Time in America. Overall, well worth a look.

Good western starring Clint Eastwood. High Plains Drifter is a slick western about a mysterious stranger who stops at the small town of Lago. When he guns down the three hired guns who the towns folk rely on for protection from 3 deadly outlaws, they hire Clint to defend them. Eastwood has never been cooler, even his clothes are awesome, and he directs the movie with a sense of honesty that's lacking in most westerns. Overall, another Clint classic.

On my to do list.