DISQUS

Rob Hunter · 1 year ago

No Silverado? I forgive you but only because you give Costner such love throughout the rest of the piece.

That and you made me laugh when you said "in the interest of brevity" about seventeen pages in.

Bill Brasky · 1 year ago

This article is the best piece of film journalism/critique I have ever read. This takes me back to watching old westerns with my grandfather, and I am glad that AMC dedicates at least a 1/3 of its programming to old westerns. I hope their is a strong resurgence of the Western and that all who claim to live/breathe film have a solid sense of the last fifty years of Western films.

Thank you for this article

Aleric · 1 year ago

I am stoked about seeing Appaloosa. If it is half as good as 3:10 to Yuma I will be happy.

In my opinion the best movies were those that took historical facts and polished them up a bit. Tombstone, Unforgiven, The Outlaw Josie Wales, Quigley Down Under, 3:10 to Yuma, all took a generic version of the western and put a new spin on it and set it apart from the old serials of the 50's and 60's. With a good script and quality actors the westerns will always be a staple in the American Film Library.

Cole Abaius · 1 year ago

Westerns and old War Movies were a major part of how my father and I connected. I think in recent times, Westerns have had to have a gimmick attached to them which is unfortunate. The key is sticking to the classic genre and getting actors that carry it. It's impossible to separate Westerns from Eastwood or Wayne.

I think there's a large part of the population that would love to see a true resurgence. Make the films on the cheap, keep them simple, have guys get shot off roofs, and throw in a start chomping on a cigar who'll do anything for a few dollars more.

Cannot fail.

Marriner Merrill · 1 year ago

Wow great article! I saw about every western mentioned that I really love...except one. GERONIMO! That is a great film with excellent historical acuracy as well as top end talent. I'll just asume that it was not mentioned due to its lack of gunslingers and cow towns and its emphasis on Native Americans and the U.S. Military. Wes Studi's best work in this movie. Soundtract is unbelievable. But I digress. I too was thrilled with 3:10 to Yuma and really look forward to Appaloosa. Unforgiven is in my top 3 for sure. I really hope there is even a minor resugence of decent Westerns. Ive been duped several times at the video store trying to find a new western to watch. Some of the covers make a flick look western and turn out to be garbage. Ive even enjoyed some of the recent "made for tv" westerns due to having nothing else to watch. Aces and Eights though? That was as bad as bad gets. Someone tell me what movie this line is from..."We've all got it comin."

Brian Wolle · 8 months ago

I would say good article, not a great one. Had a great book on the subject and will never forget what it taught me: the people that make it to the end of the film are the ones who adapt to the change that happened in the flick. Notice how many times this happens. The book was a history of the western I think, by someone named mitchell, I think. Sorry, I do not own that masterpiece anymore.
OK, you did not have Peckinpah's two best on your list; Heaven's Gate belongs there; McCabe for sure; Shane; I would include the Aussie Dennis Hopper flick, Mad Dog Morgan; Red River; Stagecoach; Liberty Valence; Rio Bravo; et cet and so on. Thanks for the article anyway.