Iconic Western Films For Inspiration?

[JollyBob]

The Wild Bunch. Probably the best bank robbery on film. Cracking finale too.

A personal favourite is Red Sun, Charles Bronson and Toshiro Mifune in a Samurai/Cowboy mash-up. A bit bloaty in the middle but a bloody good film nontheless.

Drachenklinge's right about Jimmy Stewart movies, particularly Destry Rides Again (a bit of a comedy), Winchester 73 and Bend of the River.

[Malamute]

The Wild Bunch. Probably the best bank robbery on film. Cracking finale too.

A personal favourite is Red Sun, Charles Bronson and Toshiro Mifune in a Samurai/Cowboy mash-up. A bit bloaty in the middle but a bloody good film nontheless.

Drachenklinge's right about Jimmy Stewart movies, particularly Destry Rides Again (a bit of a comedy), Winchester 73 and Bend of the River.

I second The Wild Bunch.

Red Sun? I remember seeing that one years ago, doesn't Ursula Andress gets her bangers out

[philhendry]

A lot of 'classic' western TV series are available on DVD too - The Virginian, High Chaparral, Bonanza, Alias Smith and Jones, etc.  Coming slightly more up-to-date, Lonesome Dove and its follow-ons are all available, and coming right up to the noughties, Deadwood is worth seeing.

[JollyBob]

Red Sun? I remember seeing that one years ago, doesn't Ursula Andress gets her bangers out

Do you know, I do believe she might.    Not that that would convince anybody to watch it, of course...

Also should have mentioned MacKenna's Gold.

[Malamute]

Do you know, I do believe she might.    Not that that would convince anybody to watch it, of course...

Also should have mentioned MacKenna's Gold.

 

MacKenna's Gold, another classic. you've go to love Omar Shariff playing a Mexican

[Digits]

Just watched a trailer for next year's Lone Ranger with Jonny Depp as Tonto!  Looks great!


Just watched Open Range again, I love the gunfight at the end of the film - great cinema.   

For me though ANY spag western or western with Clint, Unforgiven - bloody awesome!  Tombstone is good too.

[Tom Reed]

Well if you are talking about funny movies there are my two favorites.
Support Your Local Sheriff
Support Your Local Gunfighter

Jack Elam is great, and he did go on to become the most beloved character of the old west.

[Emir of Askaristan]

Cheyenne Autumn -John Ford at his best. The scenery alone is inspirational and the fight with the Indians including the cavalry charge is a classic. The full version includes Jimmy Stewart as Wyatt

Costner's Wyatt Earp or Open Range - simply brilliant

Tombstone - for the gunfight and shootings after, and Sam Elliot and Val Kilmer

Eastwood's Pale Rider and Josey Wales and Unforgiven for gunfights, dialogue and Chief Dan George

The Long Riders - bank robberies and shoot outs (and Ry Cooder's score plus Carradines, Keatches, et al)

True Grit - both versions - modern for the script, original for John Wayne

Blackthorn - for what happened after Butch and Sundance - a beautiful film with great actors

And my oddball choice - Rango! Because it's an homage to western clichés not just an animated film !!!!!

[Elbows]

Tombstone (especially the directors edition) really is a simply fantastic film.  Not just as a Western, but just a great time.

I think the gunfight in Open Range at the end is possibly the best one on film in modern days.  Just a great shootout.

3:10 to Yuma is again, a good film...but doesn't offer too much from a Western standpoint.

Appaloosa is good, but a little downing, kinda dry...but the friendship between the two main characters is cool.  I hate Zelwegger though.

Wyatt Earp is unfortunately a crap film (though apparently more true to history).  It's just boring and depressing. The director's version is nigh on three hours long, and stuffed with crap which was understandably cut.  If you want to watch a 30 year old Kevin Costner pretend to be 17...go nuts.

I've seen a number of other old Westerns which are good, but they start to meld together in my head. Joe Kidd is good, the original True Grit is also excellent (modern one is quite good, excluding the ending). 

[Yankeepedlar01]

Well, the Deadwood Series gets my vote for the 'look' of the thing in reality, but I'd also mention Cat Ballou, always makes me laugh!

[white knight]

A personal favourite is Red Sun, Charles Bronson and Toshiro Mifune in a Samurai/Cowboy mash-up. A bit bloaty in the middle but a bloody good film nontheless.

And Alain Delon as the bad guy if memory serves me right. I loved that movie as a kid.

[JollyBob]

Yes, Alain Delon! Who knew he could be such a cold-eyed bastard?

[Malamute]

Yes, Alain Delon! Who knew he could be such a cold-eyed bastard?

 

Isn't there a fight with some Apache or Comanche in an adobe ruin and Toshiro Mifune has to retrieve a ceremonial sword or he is forced to commit suicide? Each day he ties a knot in some rope to remind him of the days he has left?

[JollyBob]

That's the one. 

[Malamute]

That's the one. 

Not forgetting Ursula Andress's hooters