Michael at 2Blowhards has batted the old hornet's nest with a post on the list compiled by the Western Writers of America.
The top ten westerns, of course, are:
- Stagecoach
- High Noon
- The Wild Bunch
- My Darling Clementine
- The Searchers
- The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
- The Ballad of Cable Hogue
- The Magnificent Seven
- 3:10 to Yuma (2007 version)
- Hombre
13 comments:
I'm not a western fanatic - but I would think that any list like this should have Once Upon A Time In The West.
The terror of the notes of a harmonica...and Henry Fonda's eyes.
And Tombstone!
Gotta have Unforgiven
Any Top Ten list that doesn't contain "Fort Apache" or "She wore a yellow ribbon" is invalid. The cavalry was part of the old west as well you know and no one did cavalry movies better than John Ford.
Merlynn,
The cavalry rides to the rescue in John Ford's "Stagecoach."
Considering that I almost always disagree with "10 best" lists, I think you've made good choices.
But Tombstone should definitely be included, and I would add the unfortunately neglected One Eyed Jacks. The only movie directed by Marlon Brando (I think), it's tightly constructed and Brando is mesmerizing, at the top of his form.
Oh, and one more: Peckinpah's Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. No, not historically accurate, but has there ever been a Western that was?
Thanks to each of you for your comments. I'm currently involved with a film event that's to be held at the Arizona Historical Society Museum in Tempe on July 20. During the planning it has been fun to watch the debates on which films to feature. We're just going with one to begin with - The Magnificent Seven - followed by a discussion on its history and influence but I think that all of the ones you've mentioned will eventually be under the microscope.
"Once Upon a Time in the West" - One of the major film buffs on our team is dying to tackle that one and discuss its hidden messages. Henry Fonda certainly broke with his nice guy image.
"Tombstone" - Have got to give that another viewing. It has gotten a lot of mention.
"Unforgiven" - "Once Upon a Time in the West" almost makes that one look cheery. Excellent film.
"She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" is one of my favorites. "Fort Apache" should also get more attention.
"One Eyed Jacks" - Saw that years ago and then again recently and was struck by how good it is.
"Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" - Must confess to not having seen that one but will definitely check it out.
Thanks again!
What? No Lonesome Dove? (Yeah, I know...not big screen production).
Or, how about "Only the Valiant", with Gregory Peck?
Or, perhaps a more modern western, "Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada"?
And, is there no "Dances With Wolves?"
Another more modern one, "The Missing" with Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett - who is awesome BTW.
And who could leave off "Little Big Man"?
Oh, one question, please:
Is this photo accompanying this post from the Tom Berenger film, "Last of the Dogmen"?
Cowtown Pattie,
Thanks for the additions. Lonesome Dove, of course, is in a class of its own.
As for the photo, it comes from Word.
Rio Bravo - Hawks
Wagonmaster - Ford
Red River - Hawks
The Tall T - Boetticher
The Calvary Trilogy - Ford
The Man From Laramie - Mann
Open Range - Costner
Ride Lonesome - Boetticher
Forty Guns - Fuller
Canyon Passage - Tourneur
Grandcosmo,
You've just added several to my "must watch" list.
Thanks!
Post a Comment