# What's the BEST Western Movie? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 27, 2016, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395 "2016-01-27T18:55:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/41 "2016-01-28T01:35:56Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Tombstone > Unforgiven > Dances With Wolves > The Oxbow Incident > Lonesome Dove (TV movie, but still a movie) > Little Big Man Well, if we can choose more than one, I must include Tatonka, also. Thank you **Chefguy** for mentioning _Dances with Wolves_. My voting is based on how many times I have seen the Best western. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/42 "2016-01-28T01:36:33Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I’d put it high on the list. It’s very much like a sequel to McClintock but that had more of a comedy element to it, and the characters though similar are supposed to be different people. I think it was a very good Western, but the genre was in decline by the 70s. > > In no particular order, and not a complete list: > > Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid > Shane > Silverado > Once Upon a Time in the West > Rio Bravo > Little Big Man > True Grit (I prefer the original nostalgically, the remake might be the better movie) > Jeremiah Johnson > The Cowboys I’m glad someone included **Silverado** on their list. It’s not too serious, but the characters are very distinct and it has a great finish. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/43 "2016-01-28T01:39:44Z")
> [@glee](#): > > P.S. Can you name the seven actors? Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter and Jorge De Hoyos Not correct. Jorge De Hoyos was a farmer. Horst Buchholz was the other one of the Seven ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/44 "2016-01-28T01:58:13Z")
The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/45 "2016-01-28T02:07:09Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > I’m glad someone included **Silverado** on their list. It’s not too serious, but the characters are very distinct and it has a great finish. It’s a … I don’t know what you would call it … almost a parody by magnifying every aspect of the genre, but done well and more seriously, and very enjoyable. I guess you could call it a tribute to the Western genre. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/46 "2016-01-28T02:11:23Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > It’s a … I don’t know what you would call it … almost a parody by magnifying every aspect of the genre, but done well and more seriously, and very enjoyable. I guess you could call it a tribute to the Western genre. Heh. I just remembered that Costner is in that. I probably forgot because he was making a rare (for him at the time) character appearance.\* \*If no one knows what i mean…think of the typical Clooney smooth MF role, and then his turn in Oh Brother Where Art Thou? ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/47 "2016-01-28T02:16:01Z")
You guys. It’s “Son’s of Katy Elder”, “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence” and then whatever else you got. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/48 "2016-01-28T02:38:43Z")
The Outlaw Josey Wales. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/49 "2016-01-28T02:52:48Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Difficult to name one. And there are some great ones listed above. But, the choice is obvious. > > It has to be _Blazing Saddles_. Of course. So much so that the thread should be renamed “What’s the SECOND-BEST Western Movie, After “Blazing Saddles”?” ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/50 "2016-01-28T03:10:44Z")
Another vote for **Silverado**. I love the opening scene where Glenn grabs the twirling rifle, blows the guy away, and opens the cabin door…revealing that spectacular vista looking out across a river valley and open range beyond. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/51 "2016-01-28T03:15:03Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Well, if we can choose more than one, I must include Tatonka, also. > > Thank you **Chefguy** for mentioning _Dances with Wolves_. > > My voting is based on how many times I have seen the Best western. Couldn’t vote for just one. Those are films that I will watch any time I come across them on the tube. I know it’s not cool to like Kevin Costner and his films, but that one was truly a blockbuster: well plotted, well written, tight editing and direction, great acting, and outstanding cinematography. 12 Oscar nominations, and won for best picture, best director, best screen play and best editing. I wish Graham Greene had won best supporting, but Joe Pesci was outstanding in Goodfellas. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/52 "2016-01-28T03:38:17Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Just for that I’m not even going to link to it! So there! ☹ That’s too bad my mention really was meant as an invitation to do that and add another data point to the conversation not say this ground has already been covered. > [@blondebear](#): > > Another vote for **Silverado**. I love the opening scene where Glenn grabs the twirling rifle, blows the guy away, and opens the cabin door…revealing that spectacular vista looking out across a river valley and open range beyond. I should clarify my position. Silverado is in my top 3 favorite movies of all time and my dog is named Paden. The editing of the Paden/Emmit love triangle makes it lose greatness due to being confusing what really happened. Damned enjoyable movie though. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/53 "2016-01-28T03:56:03Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > By definition, it’s whatever is playing at the [BEST WESTERN Movie Manor](http://bestwesterncolorado.com/hotels/best-western-movie-manor). I’ve always wanted to stay there! The last time I was nearby they were showing Rango, but the forecast was for rain and temps in the 40s so I gave it a pass. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/54 "2016-01-28T04:32:57Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > That’s too bad my mention really was meant as an invitation to do that and add another data point to the conversation not say this ground has already been covered… Thanks for clarifying. That old thread and the follow-up poll were okay as far as they went, but the issue seems to be (as in this thread’s case) that there are just too many GREAT Westerns (both TV and movies) and picking Just One is hard if not impossible. I know in my own case that saying **Shane** is my all-time favorite is just the way I feel at the moment (Jan/2016) and I could easily name a dozen on equal footing. Just to settle the links issue, here are two recent threads that I know of: > **[Best Western (movie)](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=556655)** > > What’s your vote for the All-Time best Western movie? Any era as long as the setting is pre-1930 and somewhere in either the Western USA or counterparts in Australia. If you just can’t quite pull it down to one, try for a top 5. The Outlaw Josey... Best Western (movie) 03-21-2010, 10:46 AM Zeldar #116 06-09-2015, 09:11 AM Zeldar * * * > **[Best Western (not the motel chain)](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=558313)** > > Spinning off from this thread, if you had to pick one movie as the Best Western Ever, which would you pick? Best Western (not the motel chain) 04-03-2010, 12:30 AM MovieMogul #51 04-07-2015, 11:02 PM SandyHook ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/55 "2016-01-28T05:25:03Z")
Huh, 2010. Ya, that was totally just last summer. Every once in a while I get the feeling I’ve been on this board too long. I’m sure the '99er get that feeling way more often. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/56 "2016-01-28T06:36:27Z")
OMG! What an oversight! I know there is a lot of controversy about this movie. But it is a western and I loved it. The Hateful Eight ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/57 "2016-01-28T08:56:20Z")
Another oversight. Virginia City (1940) is a great western. It stars Erol Flynn, Randolph Scott, Miriam Hopkins, Alan Hale and Humprhey Bogart. BTW, Alan Hale is the father of the skipper in Gilligan’s Island and one of my favorite character actors from the 30s and 40s. Bogart is to laugh at. He plays a Mexican bandido and he has the worst Mexican accent I ever heard. But he is only on screen for a very short time and the rest of the movie is a lot of fun. The dance hall numbers are especially memorable. The songs will stick in your head for years to come. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/58 "2016-01-28T15:36:00Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Another vote for **Silverado**. I love the opening scene where Glenn grabs the twirling rifle, blows the guy away, and opens the cabin door…revealing that spectacular vista looking out across a river valley and open range beyond. “You idiot, he’s hit everything he’s aimed at.” **Silverado** is what I call an “almost epic” movie; it had a good director, some very good actors, and a decent script, but…when it comes to modern ‘epic’ Westerns, **Unforgiven** will probably beat it out. Still a good watch for a lazy Saturday… ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/59 "2016-01-28T16:19:46Z")
> [@glee](#): > > So many good ones named already. > > My personal favourite is ‘ **The Magnificent Seven** ’, because of: > > - the testosterone-filled acting > - the plot (thanks to Kurosawa 🆒 ) > - the music > > Vin: We deal in lead, friend. > > Villager: If he’s the best with the gun and the knife, with whom does he compete? > Chris: Himself > > Chico: Ah, that was the greatest shot I’ve ever seen. > Britt: The worst! I was aiming at the horse. > P.S. Can you name the seven actors? Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter and Jorge De Hoyos > [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Not correct. > > Jorge De Hoyos was a farmer. Horst Buchholz was the other one of the Seven Gosh! Thanks for the correction. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395/60 "2016-01-28T16:56:27Z")
> [@RikWriter](#): > > The Outlaw Josey Wales. Thank you. I think it’s Eastwood’s best western, even better than _Unforgiven_. I’ll mention another I haven’t seen listed yet – _The Professionals_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-western-movie/744395.md?page=4)