Western Region is one of the iconic classic films that has produced several masterpieces in cinema that stand the test of time. Although it may not be as prominent as it once was during its peak in Hollywood, a number of Western films continue to captivate audiences. With the reboot of “The Magnificent Seven” currently expanding in theaters, let’s take a look back at the 11 greatest Western films of all time:
11. Unforgiven (1992)
Two years after “Dances with Wolves” swept the Academy Awards, including “Best Picture,” the Western genre was on the decline. However, with the directing and acting talents of Clint Eastwood, this genre produced another masterpiece. Alongside Eastwood, the film also featured stellar performances from actors like Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman, both of whom won Oscars for “Best Supporting Actor.” Clint Eastwood himself won the Oscar for “Best Director” and the film took home the award for “Best Picture.”
10. The Magnificent Seven (1960)
The original “The Magnificent Seven,” directed by John Sturges and based on Akira Kurosawa’s classic “Seven Samurai,” was released in 1960 and achieved great success, featuring famous stars such as Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen. Additionally, this film made a lasting impression with its iconic score by Elmer Bernstein, often regarded as the most recognizable music in Western cinema.
9. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
Hollywood legends like Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, and Lee Marvin all graced this classic Western directed by John Ford. The plot revolves around Senator Ransom Stoddard (Stewart) returning to his hometown to attend the funeral of his old friend Tom Doniphon (Wayne), who sacrificed himself to protect Stoddard from the notorious outlaw Liberty Valance, a story that changed everything for Stoddard. The film is famous for the quote: “This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.”
8. The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
One of Clint Eastwood’s most iconic roles in the Western genre, he both starred in and directed this film, known as “The Outlaw Josey Wales.” The story follows a Missouri farmer named Josey Wales, who becomes an infamous outlaw after his family is murdered by Union soldiers during the Civil War.
7. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
This film is a cornerstone of the Western genre and solidified Clint Eastwood’s fame and career. In the role of the “Blonde,” he teams up with two other infamous outlaws (played by Eli Wallach and Lee Van Cleef) in search of buried treasure during the Civil War. This film also gained fame for its brilliant score composed by the legendary Ennio Morricone.
6. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
Many consider this to be the final great Western film, directed by Andrew Dominik, which provides a haunting perspective on the last years of the infamous outlaw Jesse James (Brad Pitt) and the coward who killed him, Robert Ford (Casey Affleck).
5. High Noon (1952)
Featuring iconic performances by legends Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly, Cooper won the Oscar for “Best Actor” for his role as the sheriff facing a deadly threat as the clock ticks down to a showdown with an outlaw gang.
4. The Wild Bunch (1969)
This Western film directed by Sam Peckinpah features a cast including William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, and William Oates as aging outlaws trying to execute one last heist before the Western frontier fades away. This film includes some of the best and most brutal endings ever seen in the genre.
3. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Winning 4 Academy Awards, this film is most famous for the charming performances of its leading actors, Paul Newman and Robert Redford, who portray two legendary bank robbers on the run.
2. The Searchers (1956)
Considered one of the greatest Western films ever made, directed by John Ford, it features John Wayne in the role of a Civil War veteran who spends years searching for his abducted niece.
1. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
A masterpiece by Sergio Leone that encompasses all the elements that fans love about the Western genre, raising the bar to a new level with its unique visual style, including close-ups of characters and stunning landscapes. With its lengthy and meticulously crafted scenes, this is a film that every Western fan must see.
According to BusinessInsider
