Back in the Saddle: The Greatest Westerns of all Time
One of my favorite film genres is the Western. This hasn't always been the case. As a child, my dad loved the movies of Clint Eastwood and John Wayne, but I just couldn't get into them. He and I did both enjoy the Trinity films (spaghetti western spoofs starring Terence Hill). But as a whole I didn't fall in love with the genre until I got to college.
The Western, more so than any other genre relies on silences. Tracing its roots all the way back to silent films, the genre uses pictures to tell entire stories. This is one reason why few western screenplays would be considered classic, the story is all on screen. In glances, body language, picturesque scenery. I love the Western because at the same time, it shows the romanticism of the cowboy life, and the harsh reality of the lonely existence at society's edge.
I would recommend that if you claim to love films, you should spend quality time with the Western genre, to start out check out these:
1. Rio Bravo (1959) -- Ricky Nelson, John Wayne, and Dean Martin star in arguably Howard Hawks' greatest film. The movie is classic Hollywood western at its best. You want epic, how about one close-up in the entire film. Dean Martin's character rolling up a cigarette. The characterizations are broad, the overall mood lighter than my other favorite westerns, but it's gold. Don't overlook the Duke.
2. The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) -- After studying under the Italian master Sergio Leone, Clint Eastwood directs one that almost one up the teacher. Set (as many westerns are) against the Civil War, this story of a vengeful father is a joy to watch. Excellent performances from Eastwood, Chief Dan George and John Vernon, anchor the film while cameos and small roles, give the film it's sparkle. Incidentally this was the film that turned me on to Westerns as a whole.
3. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) -- This is not the best known of Leone's films (it was edited poorly for U.S. release and was a box office failure), but it is by far his greatest. Owing no small debt to both the book and film version of Shane by Jack Schaefer. In fact the Charles Bronson character here, could easily have left this movie and then rode into the town portrayed in "Shane." Some night when you have the time, watch this film and then check out "Shane," the realization on the part of the heroes, that their time is over, is really what Westerns are all about. One era is over, and it's kicking on its way out. One of the best films ever made, regardless of genre. Do not let another week go by, without watching this film.
The Best of the Rest: Unforgiven (1992), The Good the Bad and the Ugly (1966), and Serenity (2005) a perfect example that a Western is about mood, characters and code, and doesn't have to be set in the 19th century or even on Earth.
Coming Soon: "Fuggetaboutit": The Best of Crime Films
The Western, more so than any other genre relies on silences. Tracing its roots all the way back to silent films, the genre uses pictures to tell entire stories. This is one reason why few western screenplays would be considered classic, the story is all on screen. In glances, body language, picturesque scenery. I love the Western because at the same time, it shows the romanticism of the cowboy life, and the harsh reality of the lonely existence at society's edge.
I would recommend that if you claim to love films, you should spend quality time with the Western genre, to start out check out these:
1. Rio Bravo (1959) -- Ricky Nelson, John Wayne, and Dean Martin star in arguably Howard Hawks' greatest film. The movie is classic Hollywood western at its best. You want epic, how about one close-up in the entire film. Dean Martin's character rolling up a cigarette. The characterizations are broad, the overall mood lighter than my other favorite westerns, but it's gold. Don't overlook the Duke.
2. The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) -- After studying under the Italian master Sergio Leone, Clint Eastwood directs one that almost one up the teacher. Set (as many westerns are) against the Civil War, this story of a vengeful father is a joy to watch. Excellent performances from Eastwood, Chief Dan George and John Vernon, anchor the film while cameos and small roles, give the film it's sparkle. Incidentally this was the film that turned me on to Westerns as a whole.
3. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) -- This is not the best known of Leone's films (it was edited poorly for U.S. release and was a box office failure), but it is by far his greatest. Owing no small debt to both the book and film version of Shane by Jack Schaefer. In fact the Charles Bronson character here, could easily have left this movie and then rode into the town portrayed in "Shane." Some night when you have the time, watch this film and then check out "Shane," the realization on the part of the heroes, that their time is over, is really what Westerns are all about. One era is over, and it's kicking on its way out. One of the best films ever made, regardless of genre. Do not let another week go by, without watching this film.
The Best of the Rest: Unforgiven (1992), The Good the Bad and the Ugly (1966), and Serenity (2005) a perfect example that a Western is about mood, characters and code, and doesn't have to be set in the 19th century or even on Earth.
Coming Soon: "Fuggetaboutit": The Best of Crime Films
posted by Daddy Rogue at 12:25 PM
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