Western Movies - The great American Cinema Form

[NickNascati]

All,
     So, I have always liked Westerns, but lately I've become almost obsessed with them. I am a great Jazz fan, which is the only truly American musical form. So too I am seeing that the Western is the only truly American cinematic form, Sergio Leone's "Spaghetti Westerns" aside. Some are almost poetic or lyrical in nature.  Am I slipping into insanity, or do you agree? 
 
                                                                 Nick

 

[Legionnaire]

Insanity? Well, I guess we're all a little bit that inclined, considering the hobby... but no I don't think that you're far off. Personally, I listen a lot to heavy rock/ metal and as with the Western movie, that also has been declared "dead and gone beyond resurrection" at least once a decade, but it still keeps ticking on.

My favourite one I think actually is McCabe and Mrs Miller, aside from The Good, The Bad and the Ugly.

[Elbows]

I would say it's a truly American film setting...but the 'stories' involved are almost all timeless.  The Old West does provide a perfect setting for just about any story you could imagine (same reason it's so great for wargaming).

Any feud, confrontation etc. can be set in the Old West.  I haven't fallen in love with many of the old films, but Tombstone (while a bit too Hollywood) is just fantastic.  Kurt Russell is simply phenomenal.

Appaloosa, while a bit....dry...has some moments that are pure brilliance.  I love the chemistry between Viggo and Ed.  They make an awesome pair.

[Malamute]

It is a classic genre which I am very happy to say I was brought up on and am a huge fan of.

 I have a soft spot for the John Wayne movies from the 1950s-1960s, Rio Bravo, The Sons of Katie Elder, and one of my all time favourites The Searchers. Not forgetting She Wore a Yellow Ribbon and Stagecoach.

The JOhn Ford settings in monument valley are iconic images of the western.

 

[FifteensAway]

I might argue that modern cinema in its whole - and not forgetting input from abroad, Eisenstein, etc. - is an American art form, widely copied.  Even Bollywood's form can be traced back to the musicals of the 1930's.  How sad that now the best films tend to be made overseas because so many in Hollywood lack both a soul and a backbone.  It is impossible to imagine Queen Margot being made here yet it is a fantastic film, IMnotsoHO. 

The western, well, that form predominates in my action collection, maybe one third of the total - probably 200 total so about 70 westerns - and always looking to add more.

[Heisler]

I have a project in mind and I'm looking for western movies that have good bar fight scenes. Not huge brawls involving 50 people but some scene that may involve say 6-8 and maybe starts with a poker or faro table being upended. Any suggestions for western movies that have that kind of scene in them?

[OLeary]

This is coming from an Irish person and I see the Western as absolutely unique to America and when I was a little girl, it was the predominate image I had of your country. Although the themes are universal, I don't think another country could co-opt this genre and do it well.

I am also a jazz drummer and must say God Bless America for giving the gift of jazz to the world.

[Deedles]

Having grown up on a diet of Classic westerns I agree with you.


I have recently been revisiting these and thoroughly enjoying them.

[Bugsda]

I'm a big fan of Burt Lancaster's early seventies triple bill, Ulzana's Raid Valdez Is Coming and Lawman

You can't beat a western 

[Ray Earle]

Now that bugsda, we agree on!! 

Like many of you on here I grew up on a mix of Westerns on a Saturday afternoon. John Wayne is always a very fond memory, I very nearly shed a tear at the end of the shootist.

It is a truly American institution (ever so slightly Italian  ) in the same way that only the British can do Bond. 

[Conquistador]

<snip> in the same way that only the British can do Bond. 

Any other way would be sacrilege!

Gracias,

Glenn