As none of we mortal people were alive in the era of 1860’s-1900’s which
many of these films try to recreate( which is really fantasy and fiction
however noble the time setting and script.

We have then ,one Western that is a real big ommission
depending on that fantasy balloon. “Lonesome Cowboys” by Andy
Warhol from 1968. One may read it’s history on the IMDB website.

By Erica Weissman on Dec 4, 2008 at 7:34 pm

For all the “experts” you folks have in this magazine, it took about five minutes to already find two errors. Movie #48, The Gunfighter, Peck portrays JIMMY Ringo, not Johnny Ringo, and other than the last name, I doubt that his part had anything to do with the real Johnny’s history. #11, Winchester 73, sidebar on p.46, Winchester’s Wonder: the standard length barrel on a 73 was 24 inches, and it held 14 rounds in the magazine. 30″ was a special order (1 in 600 had longer than standard barrel, Madis, p.195, The Winchester Book) and would have held 17 rounds in the magazine tube. If a round was placed in the chamber of the barrel, one more round would be added to the total count. I would have placed The Stalking Moon, Gregory Peck, 1968, and Death Hunt, Charles Bronson, 1981 in the Top 100.

By Jim Bellaire on Dec 5, 2008 at 4:41 pm

Apart from the indefisible contention that “High Noon” and “The Ox-Bow Incident” are the best westerns (you guys smoking sagrbrush?), in “Rio Bravo,” Ricky Nelsom does NOT portray a “cattle driver”; it is explicitly stated that he is Ward Bond’s bodyguard. In “Blazing Saddles,” Mel Brooks’ Indiana correct says, “Dey darker than us!” — Not “Dey darker den we are,” and Madeleine Kahn’s line comes BEFORE she seduces Cleavon Little, not after.

By Mandy on Dec 6, 2008 at 7:56 pm

There’s another version of 3:10 To Yuma. Have you forgotten the 1957
original? What about Silverado, Lust in the Dust, and Pale Rider? Pale
Rider. a title taken from the Book of Eevelaton, was the movie Clint Eastwood made seven years before Unforgiven. It marked the return of
The Man With No Name.

By Blair on Dec 7, 2008 at 7:46 pm

How could you leave off “Shane” or the “Sons of Katie Elder”. I did not see Pale Rider (Clint Eastwood) and McClintock (Jon Wayne) or Cheyenne Social Club.

By Dlach on Dec 8, 2008 at 4:52 pm

To the person that said Shane was not listed ,it is ri dere on the left of
der list.
Usually history is one person’s opinion,so don’t get to upset.

By Erica Weissman on Dec 9, 2008 at 12:18 am

What about Navajo Joe w/Burt Reynolds? The score with Ennio Morricone is haunting to say the least. The Last Ride w/Mickey Rourke was good too, althouth it was a remake of the one with Kirk Douglas(which I didn’t know).

The new 3:10 to Yuma shouldn’t have been there, nor 2004 The Alamo. Both movies had the actors wearing ugly hats? Which makes for a good western. So uncool not even the actors could pull it off.

I agree with the others that Pale Rider should have been there too. Also Wyatt Earp w/Keving Costner. Why Dead Man? Nobodys ever heard of the movie, just because it’s made by some artsy old indi director does’t meant it’s good.

By Navajo Joe on Dec 9, 2008 at 5:14 pm

The biggest omission is “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon”.
The worst movie on the list is the horrible “Johnny Guitar”- painful to watch.
The best is ” The Searchers”-I thought so even before Spielberg began pushing it; my personal favorites are “The Magnificent Seven ” and “Shane”.

By Dow Heard on Dec 10, 2008 at 6:15 pm

“Valdez Is Coming” with Burt Lancaster! I’ve loved that movie since I was a kid and have watched it countless times!

By Roger on Dec 10, 2008 at 10:48 pm

Maybe I missed Tombstone from the list but I know a few guys who would list it as their favorite western and even in their top 10 films overall.
And Silverado may not be the most stucturally dramatic western ever made but it sure is an entertaining ensemble film and was a bit of a groundbreaker at the time when the western was always linear in its storytelling.
Bye the bye, is Lonesome Dove excluded because it was a made for TV mini series?

By Albe Perry on Dec 11, 2008 at 5:00 pm

Recently bought a copy of “100 Greatest Westerns”.Great job! While I don’t necessarily agree with your rankings ( I would have put Shane at the top of the list and High Noon 2nd)I certainly applaud your list .Now comes my question as to why a couple of films weren’t included. How about the 1970 sleeper “Monte Walsh”? Or what about one of the truly great ones “The Missouri Breaks”. The ensemble cast of Nicholson,Brando,Quaid,et.al were outstanding! In my humble opinion,of course.

By Dave on Dec 12, 2008 at 7:53 pm

John Ford’s excellent retelling of the 3 Wise Men tale was a classic that should never be forgotten. “3 Godfathers” with John Wayne, Pedro Armendariz and Harry Carey, Jr. This is one film that should never be forgotten. Definately at the top of my 100 list.

By Scott Seely on Dec 13, 2008 at 12:02 am

Can’t beleive that none of you mentioned “The Terror of Tiny Town.”

By Larry S. on Dec 13, 2008 at 12:28 am

Also ,what about “The Wild River?” “Last of the Mohicans” was set in New York, not west of the Mississippi River. “Bad Day at Black Rock ” was set in the west, but the time was around 1950, not 1850. “The treasure of the Sierra Madre” was set in Mexico during the 1930’s.

By Larry S. on Dec 13, 2008 at 12:37 am

Good Job! only addition I have is The Wild Bunch with cast that includes William Holden. One of my top ten westerns.

By John S on Dec 15, 2008 at 12:52 pm

Gents, your “100 Greatest Westerns” obviously missed two of the best – “The Culpepper Cattle Company” (Billy “Green” Bush) and “Monte Walsh” (Lee Marvin) – with numerous great character actors, such as Bo Hopkins, Jack Palance (playing a good guy), Matt Clark, Luke Askew, and others. Still, you named three of my top favorites – “The Wild Bunch” and “The Professionals” and “Jeremiah Johnson” – so you weren’t too far shy of the mark. However, some of your other picks (titles withheld) were nowhere near “great” westerns. Anway, I enjoyed the hell out of your magazine! A “great” publication, chock full of interesting asides, and well worth the asking price. I’d rate it A- overall.

By Joe Ferrier on Dec 15, 2008 at 4:48 pm

Though I was pleased with the majority of your picks I have 12 movies that should be included. There were at least a dozen that could have been replaced. I would like list them in what I feel is in order of importance. 1) WYATT EARP: I know this movie was not critically acclaimed, however I feel it was as close to being historiclally correct as possible. Dennis Quaids amazing portrayal of Doc Holliday is oscar worthy. 2)THE LONG RIDERS: Though Hollywood took some liberties with the story, its still the most accurate account of the James-Younger gang. Also, it has brothers playing brothers which has never been done before which added a sense of warmth & reality.
3)THE GREY FOX: A classic! Richard Farnsworths portrayal of an ex-con trying to deal with a turn of the century world after 30 years in prison is real & heartfelt. Also, his character was one of the first stagecoach robbers in North America & is credited with coining the phrase “hands up!’ The scene where Farnsworth checks out the latest handguns in a local gunshop is priceless.
4)PALE RIDER: The showdown is worth the price of a ticket alone. Clint Eastwood changing cylinders on his cap & ball revolvers is
something you dont see everyday.
5)TOM HORN: One of Steve McQueens last films and it is more than worth mentioning. Great story!
6)GOING SOUTH: A western with just enough comedy without going over the top with- plenty of realism. With a cast that has Jack Nicholson, Christopher Loydd, John Belushi & Mary Steenburgen in her breakout role, how can you go wrong?
7)MISSOURI BREAKS: Marlon Brando & Jack Nicholson (this guy should do more westerns) enough said! 8&9)HILDAGO & IN PURSUIT OF HONOR: I group these two movies together because they center around the one thing all westerns have in common,the horse! Both these movies center on the love & respect the characters have for their horses. Both stories are based on actual events.
10)SILVERADO:Old fashioned type western with a modern touch. light hearted, a little over the top but serious enough to make it a good western.
11&12):BIG JAKE & THE COWBOYS;Two of the Dukes best. Honorable mentions at the very least. Point of interest: between takes, John Wayne told Bruce Dern that he will be the most hated man in America when the movie is released because Bruce Derns character kills Waynes character.

By Robert Fleming on Dec 16, 2008 at 12:33 am

Uhhhhh, Where Is the Greatest Western of all LONESOME DOVE. Your list while ok – Some of those you have got to be kidding. For you not Putting Lonesome Dove on there i will DisRegard your list!

By Dustin Gray on Dec 16, 2008 at 1:57 am

Who picked these 100? I suspect it was a group of teenagers whose only experience with the true western is a video game.

100 BEST? Ruggles of Red Gap? Laurel and Hardy? The Paleface?

Give me a break! If this is the best you can do, why bother!

By Upchucked on Dec 18, 2008 at 1:54 pm

Dustin, “Lonesome Dove” is wonderful, but it does not qualify for this list on the most basic of criteria: It’s not a movie.

It is not an injustice to leave a television production off a list dedicated to movies — even a fantastic television production that did a far better job than a two- or three-hour theatrical movie could ever have done.

By Tuxer on Dec 18, 2008 at 5:00 pm

what about “She wore a yellow ribbon” it must be the best ever made ?

By Vic on Dec 18, 2008 at 5:42 pm

Since I am forced to choose: The Searchers would be #1. Shane, High Noon, and Ride the High Country are in the running. I realize that Lonesome Dove was a mini-series but when viewed as one long movie it was exceptional.

By Vance McLaughlin on Dec 18, 2008 at 9:47 pm

The Terror of Tiny Town?

By benedick on Dec 18, 2008 at 11:13 pm

What a farce of a list!

Blood Simple a western? Bad Day At Black Rock a western? Blazing Saddles a western? El Mariachi? You could include Yojimbo with this broad a standard for westerns.

As mentioned above … where’s Silverado? Pale Rider?

Where is one of my favorites “The Violent Men” with Glenn Ford, Edward G. Robinson, & Barbara Stanwyck. Based on a story by Donald Hamilton of Matt Helm fame.

What about “Red Sun”?

All in all, this is a very lame list.

By Ken Johnson on Dec 20, 2008 at 11:35 am

100 greatest westerns book was a waste of my money.The book stinks.

By andrew svaglic on Dec 22, 2008 at 8:11 pm

I think you missed the following in your list:
THE IRON MISTRESS (Starring Alan Ladd); VIVA ZAPATA (Marlon Brando); THE FASTEST GUN ALIVE (Glen Ford), and VERA CRUZ (Cooper & Lancaster).

By Jose Evangelista on Dec 25, 2008 at 2:30 pm

1) Shane
2) The Fastest Gun Alive
3)Hondo
4)High Noon
5)The Magnificient Seven

InTHE FASTEST GUN ALIVE Glen Ford must hide his true identity to keep from having to proof it. Everyone in town except his wife thinks he is just a shopkeeper. After his cover is blown he must confront a menacing Broderick Crawford in the movie’s climatic showdown–Guy

By Guy McCullough on Dec 26, 2008 at 11:01 pm

The old “3:10 to Yuma” beats the new one any day. “The Hanging Tree” is a great western.

By Susan Solomon on Dec 27, 2008 at 8:03 pm

“Quigley Down Under” ‘90 is a movie about the Aussie West, not the US West. “Drums Along the Mohawk” ‘39 is missing! “Last of the Mohicans” is on! Western New York was the West in 1758-78. No “Hang Em’ High” another great Eastwood film. North-West Passage” film of the Rodgers Rangers raid, Spencer Tracy, Robert Young. Again that was the West in 1758.

By Vince on Dec 29, 2008 at 11:07 pm

“Quigley Down Under” ‘90 is a movie about the Aussie West, not the US West. “Drums Along the Mohawk” ‘39 is missing! “Last of the Mohicans” is on! Western New York was the West in 1758-78. ” North-West Passage” film of the Rodgers Rangers raid, Spencer Tracy, Robert Young. Again that was the West in 1758.

By Vince on Dec 29, 2008 at 11:20 pm

“The Big Country” 1958

This film showed the prejudices and attitudes of the Old West , which eventually led to dealing with facts as they are, not as society would like them to be. The hero adapted to living on shore in a practical way as the film depicted the useful connection between being a master mariner and a successful westerner, something which is often shown in reverse in real life when people from the prairies enlist in the navy.

By Mary Donnelly on Dec 30, 2008 at 7:10 pm

Good list, but the greatest Westerns, hands down are:
1. Union Pacific-definitive Western
2. Hombre-definitive anti hero
3. Ride the High Country-unquestionably the greatest gunfight scene ever
4. Fort Apache-though not named Custer, he is portrayed the most realistically of all the movies, an epic movie
5. The Commancheros-the supporting characters make this movie, McBane, Gordo, and especially Esteban
6. Big Jake-just loads of fun
7. Rio Lobo-okay, a heterosexual male must see for the hottest group of women ever in any Western
8. The Quick and the Dead-scream “cult classic” with the great characters and avant garde surrealism, not to mention Hackman’s over the top character, a parody of over half of the villains in modern films
9. The Bravados-the film sets you up perfectly as you cheer Peck along against this all star cast of outlaws
10.The Searchers-the characters and directing are superb. Great feel to this movie
11. Gunman’s Walk-the true villain is the character who evokes sympathy, Heflin. Great story of how hatred is passed along
12. The Last Hunt-the best portrayal of heroism and sadism, very realistic characters in great adventure

By Johnny Matheis on Dec 31, 2008 at 1:10 am

What about “The Man
That Shot Liberty Valance”, and the “Quick and the Dead” ?

By Vic Asadourian on Dec 31, 2008 at 4:21 am

Tombstone, yes! Loved the way it kicked Costner’s butt. Kilmer as Doc Holliday? Never been done better….I’d say Kurt Russell had figured out that the perfect western has no pretensions to accurate historical record…rather, like Samurai movies, it celebrates and reinforces the classic myth. Otherwise, big fan of The Outlaw Josey Wales and still chuckling over that “Endeavor to persevere” line….

By john on Dec 31, 2008 at 3:42 pm

This list is incomplete and lacks credibility without:

She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (1949)
The Horse Soldiers (1959)
The Alamo (John Wayne’s superb 1960 version)
3:10 to Yuma (1957: Van Heflin)
Northwest Mounted Police (1940, CB DeMille)
Unconquered (1947; CB DeMille)

The following movies on the list destroy it:

Support Your Local Sheriff (a farce)
Blazing Saddles (a farce)
The Unforgiven (a rotten move)
Maverick (BARELY a western, funny but..?)
The Alamo (2004) WHY on WHY remake a classic
3:10 to Yuma (2007) Ditto… I threw the DVD away

Thats my .02 worth

jtd

By James Davenport on Jan 1, 2009 at 6:28 pm

Here’’s a few that should have made the list !!

She wore a yellow ribbon
Union Pacific
Tribute to a bad man
Wagonmaster
310 to Yuma ( 1957 )
3 Godfathers
Last train from Gunhill
The Plainsmen
The Iron Horse ( silent )
Sergeant Rutledge

These are real westerns not some of the comedies or modern
films that were listed . THE WAY WEST is like the worst pick
I have ever seen !!

By john giardina on Jan 2, 2009 at 4:00 am

The 1957 version of the 3:10 to Yuma is superior to the 2007 version. I would like to read reveiws of 10 good film critics comparing those two movies.

By Pat on Jan 3, 2009 at 10:11 pm

Notable omissions: Lawman with Burt Lancaster, The Hunting Party with Gene Hackman, Oliver Reed, Sergio Leone’s Duck You Sucker with James Coburn, Rod Steiger, My Name is Nobody with Terence Hill, Henry Fonda, They Call Me Trinidy with Terence Hill, Man of/from the East with Terence Hill.

By Dreaddy on Jan 4, 2009 at 4:29 am

Add “the Proposition” , the Australian western.

By Dreaddy on Jan 4, 2009 at 4:31 am

William S. Hart was the the top western star of his time. Tumbleweeds and Hell’s Hinges should both have made the list.

By Jim Hambleton on Jan 4, 2009 at 5:10 pm

The Tracker with Kris Kristofferson is one of my picks. Good, enjoyable movie. Wyatt Earp should have been there. I don’t care if it was a tv production, or a miniseries or what you want to call it, but Lonesome Dove is the GREATEST western of all time.

By Undertaker on Jan 5, 2009 at 1:39 am

I ran across the issue of 100 Greatest Westerns in Borders, and like the comparable War Movie issue, really enjoyed it. It is the perfect evening companion to a few good buddies, a bottle of good bourbon, and some fine cigars. Although I think “The Searchers” is the best Western ever, the top 20 choices were worthy, and I really LIKED the oddball choices like comedies and “Dead Man”. I was really glad that the superb “Ride with the Devil” was included. I wonder where the really unique and beautifully filmed “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” would have appeared on the list if anyone had ever seen it? I does not supplant the also missing “Long Riders” as the definitive Jesse James movie, but it comes close. I agree with previous posters that “Missouri Breaks’ and the “Grey Fox” are deserving. Some others for consideration are: “Man Called Horse”, “The Misfits”, “Heartbreak Pass”, Walter Hill’s “Wild Bill Hickok” or even “Matewan” (Hey, it’s set in WEST Virginia and has an incredible gun battle.)

By John McMahon on Jan 7, 2009 at 5:31 pm

I may be alone in this opinion, but The Good, Bad, and Ugly gives a more realistic depiction of the darkness of the Civil War than most westerns that portray it. It also was beyond its time in the use of camera angles to create suspence. I could never get tired of watching it…how could you leave it off?

By T S Wille on Jan 11, 2009 at 3:49 pm

“HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER” not in the top 100?!?
Also, “Lonesome Dove” is a western and is a movie; the criteria does not specify motion picture over TV. It is certainly a top 10!

By Jason Boies on Jan 14, 2009 at 3:56 pm

In my humble opinion your experts miss read their assignment since thye included in their list comedy movies. I know there was some light and funny moments in the old west. and I like to laugh; but I don’t see how any of the so called comedy movies belong on this list. Comedy movies yes, western no
.
I agree with the people who say that if you extend the time frame to include The Last of The Mohicans how can you leave off Rogers Rangers or Drums Along the Mohawk?
A Man Called Horse. How much more western can you get.
I agree that She Wore a Yellow Ribbon should be on the list too.

All in all I think the experts could have done a lot better.

By dee t. on Jan 17, 2009 at 4:28 pm

Can anyone explain the order in which the movies are listed in the magazine? It isn’t revealed in ascending/descending order or alphabetically. Why are they placed seemingly at random?

By Jason Boies on Jan 17, 2009 at 5:15 pm

Good Lord, what a bunch of whiners!
Get with the program guys, it’s just a list. Do a google search of ‘Greatest Westerns’ and you’ll find it’s pretty much like most of the other lists.

By Matt Wilson on Jan 26, 2009 at 5:19 pm

I don’t feel that Blazing Saddles belongs in the top 100.

Tombstone is my all time favorite, and I think it is because of the part played by Val Kilmer, he stole the lead.

The newest western Apaloosa also deserves mention.

By HankD on Jan 26, 2009 at 6:58 pm

Eastwood’s Unforgiven looked like the Old West meets Hell’s Kitchen, but it’s still in my top three: Tombstone, was there ever a more revisionist western? Remember, Tombstone even had an ice cream parlor-1 and The Shootist-all good things must come to an end, Wayne is great. 2. Also, how about The Big Sky-the west didn’t begin and end with cowboys. Also, Windwalker-no white people…gasp.

By George McCormick on Jan 28, 2009 at 3:19 pm

maybe one day you’ll be reviewing my movie ” two pistols are faster than one”

By johnny kline on Jan 30, 2009 at 2:26 pm

Some of the very best Westerns were the ones made by Anthony Mann with James Stewart,Gary Cooper ect,check them out

By AJ Fraser on Feb 5, 2009 at 5:54 am

First of all support your local sheriff was a great movie and theres a good thing about opinions ..you give them and don’t be pissy to another person cause you don’t like theres. Paint your wagon was also a good movie. and lighting jack …. your list is fine

By nicki on Feb 9, 2009 at 10:56 am

I can’t say that I’ve seen even half of these movies (so now I have a goal) but I sure am glad that someone still cares about westerns. For my money I think Hondo is the best I’ve seen, or read for that matter.

By C. L. Becer on Feb 11, 2009 at 11:48 pm

What about “The Streets of Laredo”. It explains why western heroes never got off their horses to take a dump.

By Bob Cuttance on Feb 14, 2009 at 8:02 pm

I concur with another responder above, without a doubt,”Tell them Valdez is coming ” is one of the top ten and perhaps number one! Burt Lancaster really pulls it off, and I’m a cowboy junkie

By dave morris on Feb 16, 2009 at 9:10 am

The Duke’s best ever, “The Shootist” and what about Brando’s “One-eyed Jacks”?

By Bll Kay on Feb 18, 2009 at 6:21 pm

Thanks for remembering Randolf Scotts movies. I think he was a great cowboy. I believe I believe the Searchers with John Wayne should be the number one movie. I would like to add the following movies in no particular order. Navada Smith , Steve Mcqueen,Breakheart Pass, Death Hunt with Charles Bronson,Lawman and Valdez Is Coming with Burth Lancaster, The Bravados with Gregory Peck. Enjoyed the magazine very much…Keep up the good work…

By Willis Knox on Feb 19, 2009 at 8:19 pm

I agree Silverado should be up there, I never tire of watching it.

And where’s Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford? Every western review I’ve read agrees that this one is way better and deserving of more attention.

By Monette Bebow-Reinhard on Feb 21, 2009 at 11:13 am

How could you have ignored Lawman and Valdez is Coming. They are so different and yet portray the west so vividly and Burt Lancaster is great. Also I don’t agree with the raves you give Kevin Costner for Dances with Wolves..a good western is about a lot more than just scenery and being politically correct, get real, he wouldn’t have survived 2 minutes in the real west.

By David on Feb 22, 2009 at 3:38 pm

Glen Ford’s The last Challange or The Fastest Gun Alive.

By ken miller on Feb 26, 2009 at 12:56 pm

Blood Simple (1984) This is Film Noir at its best and is about as far from a Western Movie as you can get. Comes under the caregory of, “What were they thinking?”

By Dorothy on Feb 27, 2009 at 7:51 am

Well folks doing resarch is a very hard job for anyone, We all make mistakes I think by offering support is the way to go. I’m happy to see that so many resply with info.Keeep up the good work. I like to ad Crossfire Trail,Last of the Dogmen, Johnson County War,Australia how about Sam Elliott Western Collection. If anyone has info on Old Western Towns, How they were build would be of great help.
Richard

By Richard on Mar 6, 2009 at 9:42 pm

My ten favourites on the list are, (in order):

The Tall T
The Paleface
Blood Simple
Ride With the Devil (cruelly under-rated)
Will Penny
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Tombstone
The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance
Treasure of the Sierra madre
Ox-Bow Incident

By Bill C on Apr 2, 2009 at 9:04 pm

POSSE as one of the 100 greatest westerns of all-time? you might as well add THE TERROR OF TINYTOWN and JESSE JAMES MEETS FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER (and yes, that IS a real movie!). If you wanted to put in a black western, you should have put in BUCK AND THE PREACHER (1973). Directed by Sidney Poitier (his debut), he also stars as Buck, a wagonmaster who is trying to lead a wagon train of former slaves to new land out west. However, the wagon train is constantly being attacked by a group of racist bushwackers (led by Cameron Mitchell). In an attempt to elude his pursuers, Buck switches horses with the Preacher (Harry Belafonte, made up to look less than his handsome self). As the title suggests, Buck and the Preacher join forces to bring down the bushwackers. This culminates in a tense shootout in the mountains. A really cool scene has the Preacher throwing some of the bushwackers off guard to allow Buck to blast some of them away with a pair of sawed-off shotguns. Honorable mention should also go to:

3:10 TO YUMA (1957)
THE OUTLAWS IS COMING!
CURSE OF THE UNDEAD (Vampire gunfighter helps rancher’s daughter save the farm. If not great, it is interesting)
EL DORADO (Quasi-remake of RIO BRAVO that is slightly better than the original)
OBLIVION (Sci-fi western)
WESTWORLD
THE LAST SAMURAI
FOUR BROTHERS (Quasi-remake of THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER)
THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER
BIG JAKE
THE ROAD WARRIOR (MAD MAX meets STAGECOACH)
BLIND JUSTICE (Armand Assante in an American spaghetti western)
COOGAN’S BLUFF

I’m sure there are others that I’m forgetting.

By Willie Holmes on Apr 8, 2009 at 8:20 pm

The ten best westerns ever made

1)My Darling Clemintine 1946
2)Wagonmaster 1950
3)Stagecoach 1939
4)Shane 1953
5)The Covered Wagon 1923
6)The Westerner 1940
7)TheThree Godfathers 1948
8)Ramrod 1947
9)Billy The Kid 1930
10)any Bud Boetticher,Ride Lonesome,Comanche Station ,Tall T
etc..late1950’s-early60’s.
Honorable mention- Yellow Sky 1948,Four Faces West 1948,
Blood on the Moon, 1948,Coroner Creek 1948.What a Year.

By bhayes on Apr 9, 2009 at 10:58 pm

Interesting:

In “Sixguns” by Keith, he shows a picture of John Wayne holding an engraved pair of Great Western .45 cal S.A. s . (Page 66)
Used in the movie “The Shootist” were a pair of engraved Great Western .45 cal S.A..s , seen later in a wood display case in an article about John Wayne.

Maybe his personal guns used in the movie

By Tom Van Weiber on Apr 12, 2009 at 8:31 pm

Tombstone was not so much of a revisionist movie. Most of it was factual, from the Cowboys with their red sashes to the gunfight at the OK Corral. The only theatrical license that was used was when the movie portrayed Doc Holliday as the killer of Johnny Ringo; that was theatrical license. However, no one actually knows how Ringo died. He was just found shot to death one day. There are a number of theories as to how he died. The most prevalent is that he committed suicide . . . but one of the theories, although unlikely, is that Doc Holliday killed him.

By Bill on May 3, 2009 at 10:59 pm

Is there an older western movie, prior to ” The long riders”. That has similar dialogue, “because you’re a whore”, or am I thinking of the same movie?

woman: do you think the town respects me?
man: no!
woman: why not?
man: because youre a whore!
woman: do you respect me?
man: no.
woman: why not?
man: because youre a whore!

By Mardy on Jun 1, 2009 at 11:19 pm

I agree with most of these coments, soem of those western shouldn’t be spoken about, let alone written down, 310 to Yuma (2007) what was this person thinking. The Alamo 2004, Hell Wayne’s Alamo is awesome, still to this day bringing money on DVD sales.

Support Your Local Sheriff (Is the only one out of this bad list of films added, because it is fun to watch)
Blazing Saddles (It’s funny, but again, catch sit through it again and again, like traditional westerns.)
The Unforgiven (watched that once)
Maverick (watche dit once was enough)
The Alamo (2004) WHY in deed!
3:10 to Yuma (2007) not even close to being a western
Who made this list, did they just open a book and pick out a 100 westerns, unseen and unknown??

MY favorite top ten.

RIO BRAVO (1959)
Tombstone (1993)
Gunfight at OK Corral (1957)
The Shootist (1976)
Unconquered (1947)
The Alamo (1960)
Open Range (2003) (one of the best gunfight scenes)
Ride Lonesome (1959)
The Unforgiven (1960)
Pony Express (1953) Charlton Heston Forrest tucker, (May be a B Western, but it’s a great film.

By Aaron Kreltszheim on Jun 7, 2009 at 12:12 pm

Also one forgotten, is a great film “Angel and the Badman” (1947)
John Wayne, Gail Russell, Harry Carey Sr, Steve Cabot

By Aaron Kreltszheim on Jun 7, 2009 at 1:30 pm

The fact that Lawman with Burt Lancaster, is not on the list makes me wonder if any of you really know what a great western is.

How could anybody say The Outlaw Josey Wales was not a great western?

Open Range was not a good western.

Lonesome Dove should be in the top 20

Tombstone definitely top 20

Ulzana’s Raid definitely top 20

Quigley Down Under definitely top 20

Major Dundee Top 20

The Professionals top 20

By Barry on Jun 8, 2009 at 10:42 pm

i search the name of a movie. that i’ve seen years ago.
the only thing I remember: it was a western. and the father of a kid was in prison, and because there was a fire the kid must shoot his own father dead.
can anyone help me?

greetings Sil ( The Netherlands)

By Sil on Jun 11, 2009 at 4:08 pm

The Bravados (1958) with Gregory Peck and Joan Collins should make the list. It is not the best but should be in the middle of the pack and certainly before some of these “new” western movies. Judges take a look.

By Cliff Hitchcock on Aug 17, 2009 at 2:23 pm

Enjoyed your 100 great westerns but you sure missed the mark on quite a few of them.Blazing Saddles?Y ou got to be kidding.What about 1947’s “Ramrod” and 1948’s “Four faces west”.Culpepper cattle company and Monte Walsh with Lee Marvin.Man of the west with Gary Cooper was far superior to “High noon”Is “High Noon’ a poliitical move.Surely doesn’t deserve to be number one.John Waynes “Rio Grande” and “She wore a yellow ribbon”,”Three Godfathers” and 1942’s “The spoilers” and “In old olkahoma” with Albert Dekker and so many old charactor actors.Although it was a tv mini-series “Lonesome dove” is my top pick along with “Pale rider”You writers don’t belong in the same page with the films I mentioned.Sorry.

By david schaffner on Aug 28, 2009 at 10:31 pm

I could use some help here. We plan on bulding a Wesetrn Town wih 44 buildings. What I’m looking for , The size & how they were build, color. I would like to work with some of the Western Movie Production folks who all ready worked on some. this will be a town that folks can live in year around. If you know where I can get in touch with someone, Then I would like to hear from you.

Richard

By Western Towns on Nov 5, 2009 at 6:52 pm

Shane – am I the only person on the planet who believes Shane to be just an ok ‘good-guy-versus-bad-guy’ movie? Alan Ladd annoys me – he’s one of the most wooden, expressionless actors ever. IMHO, not a great or ‘classic’ film. But I DO like the part where he falls off his mount at the end – pity it wasn’t having a sneaky horsey-poo at the time ! AVERAGE.

Rio Bravo – utter, utter, utter, utter drivel – as is ANY film with Angie Dickinson. AVOID !

El Dorado – now you’re talkin’. Very, very watchable, time and time again – not least because Charlene Holt (Maudie) was simply babe-a-licious! And no pointless singing either, thank-you-very-much.
Great cast, great script, great acting, GREAT FILM.

Tombstone – SUPERB ! One of the more accurate portrayals of the Earp/K Corral shootout (note it’s NOT totally accurate by any means – for example the Holliday/Ringo showdown DIDN’T actually happen).
Having said that, Val Kilmer (Doc Holliday – “I’m your huckleberry”) out-acted everyone, much like Alan Rickman in ‘Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves’. BRILLIANT !

Quigley Down Under – one of the very best westerns (set in Australia) -featuring Tom Selleck & Alan Rickman – check it out if you haven’t already. Included In my ‘Top Five Best Westerns’ list.

Pale Rider – simply a remake of ‘High Plains Drifter’, which was a much, much better film OK movie but HPD is worth viewing instead.

High Plains Drifter – the Bridges gang using them there whips – OUCH ! The Jim Duncan supernatural element added greatly to the movie. Watch it again, THEN tell me Pale Rider is ‘better’ !

How many remember ALIAS SMITH AND JONES (the 1970’s series)? Let’s not forget how good the (pilot) movie actually is. Great series (with only one dreadful episode – season 2 “Journey from San Juan” – truely awful). The rest ranged (no pun intended) from good to excellent.

Blazing Saddles – bear in mind it’s a pretty decent western, as well as being an acceptable musical and a TERRIFIC comedy (up there with ‘Life of Brian’ as one of the best comedies ever).

A Gunfight – Johnny Cash and Kirk Douglas. I reckon one of the best, yet most under-rated westerns ever. As with ‘High Noon’, the action is kept ’till the end. Watch it all the way through !

Lawman – Burt Lancaster – an original ‘how-far-can-the-Law-go’ premise. Very highy recommended.

There’s also a bunch of B-westerns well worth viewing – example – ‘Dead for a Dollar’ (John Ireland) – no major stars, dodgy camerawork, nonsense script(s), no real budget BUT all these elements made them more authentic, in certain ways, than the biggies. ENJOY !

By Dearg Doom on Nov 19, 2009 at 10:30 am