west

Top Ten Westerns

(Ya can fill yer saddlebags at Amazon, as well, if yer lookin' to...)

The Searchers (1956)
Starring John Wayne.

One of the most brilliant, physically beautiful and thematically complex of all classical Hollywood Westerns. An embittered frontiersman engages in an extensive and obsessive search for his niece, abducted years ago by Indians who killed her family in retaliation for a massacre in their village. The pioneer's anger toward the kidnappers is so deep that he plans to kill his niece if he finds her, as he believes he will, "corrupted" and "turned savage" by her captors. But his partner on this perilous journey is determined to save the girl if he can.

The Wild Bunch (1969)
Starring William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan, Ben Johnson, et al.

An outlaw gang hired by a renegade Mexican general to transport weapons dodges danger at every turn, only to be double-crossed by their ruthless employer. Gripping action capped off by an absolutely shocking ultraviolent finale typical of New Hollywood films (such as Arthur Penn's "Bonnie and Clyde") and their message that the world is utterly without loyalty or redemption. Academy Award Nominations: Best (Original) Screenplay, Best Original Score.

The Good, the Bad & the Ugly (1966)
Starring Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach

The primavera of spaghetti westerns. Set during the Civil War, this wagonload of grit carries three desperados whose squinting eyes are fixed on a $200,000 treasure. While dodging authorities, they keep busy stabbing each other firmly in the back. Ennio Morricone's haunting score is among the best known in movie history.

Rio Bravo (1959)
Starring John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson

John Wayne stars as the sheriff of a small western town who arrests a murderer and then must contend with the aggressive efforts of the killer's brother to free him before the state marshall arrives. Surrounding the town, the villains make repeated runs at the tiny jailhouse where their comrade is incarcerated. The sheriff is left to defend the territory almost single-handedly -- his only aid being a rag-tag crew of misfits, including a drunk, an old cripple, a saloon woman, and a singing teenager. The plot's tensions build to one of the most explosive finales in cinema history.

Red River (1956)
Starring John Wayne and Montgomery Cliff

One of the most acclaimed and classic westerns of all time. Howard Hawks' "Red River" tells the story of Tom Dunson, a dictatorial Texas rancher, and his more sensitive son, Matthew. During a critical and exhausting cattle drive to Abilene, Tom's cruel tactics cause heated confrontations between father and son, leading to a revolt by the latter and a lesson Tom will never forget.

Winchester '73 (1950)
Starring Jimmy Stewart, Shelley Winters, et al.

A classic western about a man who doggedly tracks down his stolen Winchester rifle, once considered the rifle that civilized the Wild West. Along the way, the weapon falls into the hands of many nefarious characters.

Bend Of The River (1952)
Starring Jimmy Stewart, Rock Hudson, Julia Adams, et al.

Stewart plays a wagon train guide with a dark past. While leading a group of settlers across dangerous country, he faces Indians, hijackers, traitors, and most formidable of all, his own conscience.

Once Upon a Time in the West (1969)
Starring Jason Robards, Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson et al.

Directed by Sergio Leone. A not your typical western.

Ride the High Country (1962)
Starring Randolph Scott

Western tale about two over-the-hill buddies who have been on both sides of the law during their eventful lives. Now they're guarding a cargo of gold--which one of the men intends to steal. But along the way, the men reminisce about their exciting past, compete with each other for the affections of a comely lass, and confront a band of merciless outlaws out to get the gold for themselves.

Only available on VHS

RIDE LONESOME
Starring Randolph Scott and Lee Van Cleef

Ride Lonsome is a Randolph Scott western written by Burt Kennedy and directed by Budd Boetticher. Made in 1959. Scott is a bounty hunter bringing in a wanted criminal when he's sidetracked by rescuing a woman from Indians. he has to enlist the aid of two other wanted outlaws so they can keep their scalps and make it out of Indian Territory. It's a dire little piece with Scott as a man with a torments past. But it has a beautiful simplicity to it. An understated elegance. And a very poignant ending. And Lee Van Cleef is one of the bad guys.

Not currently available via Amazon