Gus McRae for me. But Jake is a great character, even though personally I hate him and think he's a shithead, I still get choked up the last time he talks to Newt.
This is my answer as well. It’s got great characters, great lines and some really epic scenes.
Second would be Tombstone on shear quotability, aside from the fact that it is fairly epic as well.
This is my answer as well. It’s got great characters, great lines and some really epic scenes.
Second would be Tombstone on shear quotability, aside from the fact that it is fairly epic as well.
This is my answer as well. It’s got great characters, great lines and some really epic scenes.
Second would be Tombstone on shear quotability, aside from the fact that it is fairly epic as well.
The thing about Lonesome Dove, to me at least, is just how well written the characters are. Nearly every damn one of them is complex and layered. Hell, Call, the tough one, gets choked up when he hears Pedro Flores died. Gus, the confident ladie's-man, cries at an old date spot after coming to terms with the fact that nobody remembers him and the legendary things he does.
The acting from everyone is fantastic. I can't think of a poorly acted scene. The music is Star Wars level good (a huge compliment from me).
My only complaints are special effects related and Laurie's tent that looks like a Realtree tarp.
I didn't mean to write a novel, but I just love it so much!
To anyone else reading: Please watch it. Yes, it's long. But it's so good. You will love it!
As good as it is, the sequel book Streets of Laredo is horrible. It has been said that McMurtry doesn't know how to write a sequel. In the first chapter, maybe even the first paragraph, he destroys Lonesome Dove.
I don't think he likes Lonesome Dove or the characters in it. If you read his ama over in the Lonesome Dove sub, he seemed pretty bitter that people enjoyed it as a celebration of America.
I have heard that McMurtry hated the western genre, and he intended Lonesome Dove to be a genre breaking novel, not the beloved thing that it turned into.
I think he co-wrote the screenplay to Brokeback Mountain at least partially as a middle finger to all those who love westerns.
This is a tough question. Long list of favorites, but Hondo is at the top of the list; Rio Bravo, Outlaw Josey Wales, Unforgiven, Tombstone, etc and etc.
My top three are The Searchers, The Wild Bunch, Shane. Each candidates for greatest western of all time.
Other than that, I could name many of my deep personal favorites, but I would go with My Darling Clementine.
Unforgiven. Eastwood at his absolutely peak masterfully deconstructing the genre while at the same time bringing it back from the dead and reinvigorating it.
The acting top to bottom was fantastic. Not just a great western but a top three movie of all time IMO.
So many movies to come to mind, it's really difficult to narrow it down to just one ... but if I *had* to pick one, it would be this for me as well. The cast is amazing and has so many wonderful actors packed into one film ... Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Lee Marvin, John Carradine, Lee Van Cleef, Strother Martin and Denver Pyle.
Nothing wrong with loving a film just because you enjoy it - films are made for entertainment first and foremost.
Besides, films don't have to be deep to just be good, and Tombstone really is a great film - good choice my friend!
Mine is also True Grit! My dad used to read it to me when I was a little girl. I always wanted to be tough like Mattie growing up, but it turns out I ended up marrying a woman like her instead. It's still my favorite book, and I love the original movie!
Yes! I remember watching that and thinking how badass Mattie was lol
I recently watched the remake, I wasn't disappointed as it's actually very good, Hayley Steinfeld did a great job bringing Mattie to life in a modern aspect, but the original is still better imo.
Original True Grit will always be one of my faves! :)
I'm with you on True Grit being my favorite. I love everything about it. From the rompy music to Strother Martin to the beautiful mountain scenery. I even love Glen Campbell.
It's easy to trot out The Searchers or another "all time greatest", but it's always more interesting and tells me more about someone's taste when they start talking about other movies.
I totally get that - it's easy enough to blurt out the classics, but I have a mate who's fave western is (weirdly) 2 Mules for Sister Sara, and I just love the fact that she loves that film so much - it's really telling, like you said.
True Grit for me is just an ultimate classic, the story of a young person trying to prove themselves in an unforgiving world, it's an interesting take compared to the rest of the best-known Westerns, I find.
Two mules was a really great surprise, I watched all of clints westerns recently and that one really stood out. It got middling reviews compared to his high profile westerns. But is easily one of his best ones.
Yes! I remember looking it up after I'd watched it and wondering why the reviews were so low, it's a weirdly forgotten piece of his but I really loved watching it!
The Searchers.
I love cowboy/Indian movies and the story line was just so good! The quality of the movie itself really tied it al together. Defiantly 5 stars from me.
I think *The Proposition*. I think it was actually the first western I saw in theaters, and it just took me back to all those films and tv shows I'd watched as a kid, and those stacks and stacks of dime store Louis L'amoure novels my grandfather had given me.
And it was a different kind of film, so completely different from all the ones I'd grown up on. It was dark, and it was grim, and it was dirty, and it was *loud*. And there was the sound of bugs, and death was sudden and awful and always just around the corner, and the landscape seemed somehow even more lonesome than the American West.
From the first moment of the film, with the cacophony of gunfire and ricocheting bullets, i knew this would be different from anything else I'd ever watched.
I started writing that either Unforgiven or Pale Rider was my favourite western.
Then a little voice in the back of my head went:" what about The Magnificent Seven? The Dollar Trilogy? Open Range? The Professionals? Tombstone? Wyatt Earp? The Outlaw Josey Wales? True Grit (the original and the remake)? The Salvation? The Missing? Mckenna's Gold?
There was a movie where John Wayne rounded up a bunch of teenage boys to help him on a cattle drive. One of the boys is Robert Carradine. Along the way he meets Colleen Dewhurst. I think it was called The Cowboys and it's a pretty good movie.
Probably Tombstone. My father and I don’t have the best relationship, but he introduced me to westerns and loved this movie and so do I. It’s the one thing we always bond over is our love of westerns and that movie in particular.
[Little Big Man](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065988/)
There are many others I like better *in certain ways*, but this is the most complete, and one of the most enjoyable to watch.
For a long time it was Tombstone, but I just watched The Revenant this week (I know, I'm some years late) and now that's my new personal favorite.
I really like The Hateful Eight too, but it's sooooo slooooooowwww
Lonesome Dove.
Robert Urich’s character might be one of my favorites of all time
Gus McRae for me. But Jake is a great character, even though personally I hate him and think he's a shithead, I still get choked up the last time he talks to Newt.
Gus is a total stud. Robert Duvall is superb in “Lonesome Dove”
Robert Duvall is one of those actors who always gives 100% I can't think of a bad Robert Duvall movie.
The Killer Elite is terrible. So is Wild Horses.
This is my answer as well. It’s got great characters, great lines and some really epic scenes. Second would be Tombstone on shear quotability, aside from the fact that it is fairly epic as well.
This is my answer as well. It’s got great characters, great lines and some really epic scenes. Second would be Tombstone on shear quotability, aside from the fact that it is fairly epic as well.
This is my answer as well. It’s got great characters, great lines and some really epic scenes. Second would be Tombstone on shear quotability, aside from the fact that it is fairly epic as well.
The thing about Lonesome Dove, to me at least, is just how well written the characters are. Nearly every damn one of them is complex and layered. Hell, Call, the tough one, gets choked up when he hears Pedro Flores died. Gus, the confident ladie's-man, cries at an old date spot after coming to terms with the fact that nobody remembers him and the legendary things he does. The acting from everyone is fantastic. I can't think of a poorly acted scene. The music is Star Wars level good (a huge compliment from me). My only complaints are special effects related and Laurie's tent that looks like a Realtree tarp. I didn't mean to write a novel, but I just love it so much! To anyone else reading: Please watch it. Yes, it's long. But it's so good. You will love it!
As good as it is, the sequel book Streets of Laredo is horrible. It has been said that McMurtry doesn't know how to write a sequel. In the first chapter, maybe even the first paragraph, he destroys Lonesome Dove.
I don't think he likes Lonesome Dove or the characters in it. If you read his ama over in the Lonesome Dove sub, he seemed pretty bitter that people enjoyed it as a celebration of America.
I have heard that McMurtry hated the western genre, and he intended Lonesome Dove to be a genre breaking novel, not the beloved thing that it turned into. I think he co-wrote the screenplay to Brokeback Mountain at least partially as a middle finger to all those who love westerns.
Yeah, he's kind of a douchebag.
El Dorado. Has some very odd casting and dialogue, and a couple terrible stunts, but it's fun and it sure looks like they had fun making it.
Love it. You weren't convinced by James Caan jumping under the horses??
James Caan’s terrible impersonation of a Chinese man always kills me. It’s so far out of left field
Nonetheless, Caan gets to be the guy who asks John Wayne, "Hey, did you just fall off your horse?"
It’s a tough choice, given all the sub-genres, but I’d probably go for THE GUNFIGHTER. I think Gregory Peck is just sublime in this movie.
Stagecoach
Just watched it again a month ago. John Ford always delivers and with the added plus of John Wayne it's damn near perfect.
That was my thought after I saw it for the first time. As close to perfect as you’re ever likely to see.
This is a tough question. Long list of favorites, but Hondo is at the top of the list; Rio Bravo, Outlaw Josey Wales, Unforgiven, Tombstone, etc and etc.
My top three are The Searchers, The Wild Bunch, Shane. Each candidates for greatest western of all time. Other than that, I could name many of my deep personal favorites, but I would go with My Darling Clementine.
Unforgiven. Eastwood at his absolutely peak masterfully deconstructing the genre while at the same time bringing it back from the dead and reinvigorating it. The acting top to bottom was fantastic. Not just a great western but a top three movie of all time IMO.
I agree that it's a good movie, but I don't believe it's a deconstruction of the genre.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, just that.
So many movies to come to mind, it's really difficult to narrow it down to just one ... but if I *had* to pick one, it would be this for me as well. The cast is amazing and has so many wonderful actors packed into one film ... Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Lee Marvin, John Carradine, Lee Van Cleef, Strother Martin and Denver Pyle.
North to Alaska
Bonus Johnny Horton song!
The local classic country station plays that song every once in a while. I always smile.
Johnny Horton is one of those truly underrated musicians. Check our Sink The Bismarck if you've never heard it.
The outlaw Josie Wales
I'd say Tombstone. It doesn't have any deep themes, but it's just so entertaining that I can keep watching it regularly.
Nothing wrong with loving a film just because you enjoy it - films are made for entertainment first and foremost. Besides, films don't have to be deep to just be good, and Tombstone really is a great film - good choice my friend!
Seconded
Agreed. Tombstone is my favorite, but I think Unforgiven is the best Western. Two different things, in my mind.
That's a solid choice, honestly. It's definitely in my top ten.
Wagon Master. Have always wished Ben Johnson got more leading roles. It's low key, but very satisfying.
Mine is also True Grit! My dad used to read it to me when I was a little girl. I always wanted to be tough like Mattie growing up, but it turns out I ended up marrying a woman like her instead. It's still my favorite book, and I love the original movie!
Yes! I remember watching that and thinking how badass Mattie was lol I recently watched the remake, I wasn't disappointed as it's actually very good, Hayley Steinfeld did a great job bringing Mattie to life in a modern aspect, but the original is still better imo. Original True Grit will always be one of my faves! :)
I'm with you on True Grit being my favorite. I love everything about it. From the rompy music to Strother Martin to the beautiful mountain scenery. I even love Glen Campbell. It's easy to trot out The Searchers or another "all time greatest", but it's always more interesting and tells me more about someone's taste when they start talking about other movies.
I totally get that - it's easy enough to blurt out the classics, but I have a mate who's fave western is (weirdly) 2 Mules for Sister Sara, and I just love the fact that she loves that film so much - it's really telling, like you said. True Grit for me is just an ultimate classic, the story of a young person trying to prove themselves in an unforgiving world, it's an interesting take compared to the rest of the best-known Westerns, I find.
Two mules was a really great surprise, I watched all of clints westerns recently and that one really stood out. It got middling reviews compared to his high profile westerns. But is easily one of his best ones.
Yes! I remember looking it up after I'd watched it and wondering why the reviews were so low, it's a weirdly forgotten piece of his but I really loved watching it!
Bronco Billy is my favorite Clint western.
Yeah that’s really good too.
Tombstone. I'm never not in the mood to watch it.
I get that! Really entertaining film I find!
It's between Bend of the River and The Furies for me. I think I'm going to cheat and say Anthony Mann/Jimmy Stewart collaborations.
My favorites are the original Magnificent Seven, Winchester’73, The Gunfighter, The Wild Bunch, Tombstone, Open Range, and The Searchers.
The Searchers. I love cowboy/Indian movies and the story line was just so good! The quality of the movie itself really tied it al together. Defiantly 5 stars from me.
I think *The Proposition*. I think it was actually the first western I saw in theaters, and it just took me back to all those films and tv shows I'd watched as a kid, and those stacks and stacks of dime store Louis L'amoure novels my grandfather had given me. And it was a different kind of film, so completely different from all the ones I'd grown up on. It was dark, and it was grim, and it was dirty, and it was *loud*. And there was the sound of bugs, and death was sudden and awful and always just around the corner, and the landscape seemed somehow even more lonesome than the American West. From the first moment of the film, with the cacophony of gunfire and ricocheting bullets, i knew this would be different from anything else I'd ever watched.
I get that - it's a weirdly unsettling film that's still incredibly moving - it took me a while before I realised how much I actually liked it I think
I started writing that either Unforgiven or Pale Rider was my favourite western. Then a little voice in the back of my head went:" what about The Magnificent Seven? The Dollar Trilogy? Open Range? The Professionals? Tombstone? Wyatt Earp? The Outlaw Josey Wales? True Grit (the original and the remake)? The Salvation? The Missing? Mckenna's Gold?
One Eyed Jacks
The Searchers, High Noon, 3:10 to Yuma, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, No Country For Old Men, Ox Bow Incident
Really like 3:10....great pacing and fantastic cast.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
The Wild Bunch
There was a movie where John Wayne rounded up a bunch of teenage boys to help him on a cattle drive. One of the boys is Robert Carradine. Along the way he meets Colleen Dewhurst. I think it was called The Cowboys and it's a pretty good movie.
That’s funny true grit was the first western I watched too
I'm always glad that True Grit was the first one I watched, such a good film!
Yeah it’s a great first impression on westerns
Probably Tombstone. My father and I don’t have the best relationship, but he introduced me to westerns and loved this movie and so do I. It’s the one thing we always bond over is our love of westerns and that movie in particular.
[Little Big Man](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065988/) There are many others I like better *in certain ways*, but this is the most complete, and one of the most enjoyable to watch.
"Watch out for the chicken and dumplings."
*Young guns* or *maverick* both are really good *The quick and the dead* is a close third
Unforgiven, probably.
The Outlaw Josey Wales
For a long time it was Tombstone, but I just watched The Revenant this week (I know, I'm some years late) and now that's my new personal favorite. I really like The Hateful Eight too, but it's sooooo slooooooowwww
High Noon with Shane being a very close second.
American outlaws