Top 10 Westerns

As you all know by now, I'm an avid movie fan, but out of all the genres which one do I prefer? Westerns! Yes, gun-slingers, sheriffs, outlaws, 'Injuns' and large tumbleweeds. Westerns involve gun battles and marvelous landscapes, but there's more to it than that, westerns can be a study of the era (post civil war-pre 1920s), a study of the people and figures who lived in the environment and a study of the west itself and how it effects the latter. In this list I'll be listing my top 10 favourite westerns (note: I did not include 'No Country For Old Men' because of the time period it's set in, not because of the quality), so saddle your horse, load your Colt and enjoy.

10. The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
Dir: Andrew Dominik

A modern masterpiece exploring the final months of the life of outlaw Jesse James, how he came to be killed and the effect this had on the killer (Robert Ford, Duh!). Although slow in pacing for some, this is a grand film which richfully explores the psyches of both James and Ford, the bleak Missouri landscape adds to the attitude of the characters and the setting (post civil war south). Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck give great performances as we explore the end of a western icon and the self destruction of an unlucky man.

9. True Grit (2010/2011, depending where you're from)
Dir: Joel and Ethan Coen

The most recent film on the list, a rare case of a remake being better than the original. The brothers Coen explore vengence and the presence of religion in the time. Jeff Bridges if close to perfect as Rooster Cogburn, a selfish drunkard who is touched by 14 year old Mattie Ross (Hallie Steinfeld who gives the best child performance I've seen in years). The film is dark and bleak with death lurking in the air (literally at one point), but also Coen-esque wry humour is mixed in the dialogue, making this a great western.

8. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
Dir: John Ford

The first of many Duke Wayne films, as he plays an honest gunman with Jimmy Stewarts rightious lawyer and Lee Marvin's pernicious outlaw. This is a typical Ford western, touching unity/comical minor characters mixed with violence and serious dilemas. This explores the effectivness of law and order over violence and the aftermath and consequences of said violence. Everything about this film leaves you with a smile and is one of the more pessimistic Ford films, yes good wins, but at what cost?

7. The Wild Bunch (1969)
Dir: Sam Peckinpah

probably one of the most violent westerns in cinematic history (even by todays standards), typical Peckinpah. With great gun battles and a great ensemble cast, an inoventive western is produced (although influence can be taken from the Leone films), the story of a gang of outlaws on the run from bounty hunters, whilst having to steal guns for a Mexican general is gripping and savage and still packs a punch.

6. Unforgiven (1992)
Dir: Clint Eastwood

Clint directs and stars in his last great western. The story of an aged outlaw, now set straight, having to hunt two criminals in order to collect a bounty to feed his family is gritty and epic. As the film goes on we see Eastwood slowly return to his wicked ways, losing his morality. With strong moral dilemas and the superb cast of Eastwood, Freeman and Hackman, 'Unforgiven' is a touchingly gritty film, worthy of the Oscar it recieved.

5. Rio Bravo (1959)
Dir: Howard Hawks

With Hawks at the helm, this is one of the most wry, exciting westerns you'll ever see. John Wayne as the tough nose sheriff, Dean Martin as a recovering alchoholic, Walter Brenan as the crazy cripple and Ricky Nelson as the kid with gun skills all come together perfectly. The creativly fun shootouts are mixed with the creativly fun dialogue and psycological tension of the heroes being 'Bottled in' by the enemies. One of the funnest films to watch involving Dean Martin being hog tied.

4. The Searchers (1956)
Dir: John Ford

The best Ford/Wayne film of all and that's saying something. The landscape of monument valley is played to great effect as the savage environment of our heroes voyage. Wayne gives his best performance as the Commanche hating, prejudice, yet brave and tough Ethan Edwards. Edwards' relentless obsession with rescuing his kidnapped niece (dead or alive) makes the film. Ford adds the touching family unity element, mixing it with murder and prejudice to make an American classic.

3. Once Upon A Time In The West (1968)
Dir: Sergio Leone

The landscape is epic and grand, the characters are complex and dark, there are shootouts a plenty, yes this is a Sergio Leone film. With precise and poigant direction, even the opening scene at the train station would be great on it's own. Charles Bronson's harmonica playing outlaw going against Henry Ford's gun for hire going against Jason Robards' Gang leader, with a widowed ex-whore in the middle of it all makes for must see cinema. The great score and atmosphere define this film as a definitive spagetti western.

2. Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid (1969)
Dir: George Roy Hill

This film has lots of things going for it. The chemistry between Paul Newman and Robert Redford makes them a great movie double team, the philosophy of the changing of the west and the futility of middle age, the humorous dialogue, the rich cinematography, the epic gun battle at the ending, Kathrine Ross. This is a film that cannot fail and never will with repeat viewings.

1. The Good The Bad And The Ugly (1966)
Dir: Sergio Leone

As I said in a blog from a month ago, this is my favourite western of all time, I won't go into too much detail as I suggest you read my review of the film by going through my previous blogs. In short, the setting is great, the dialogue is great, the characters are great, the gun battles are great... This is just a great film.