Westerns for Beginners

Key Takeaways

• Westerns often center around themes of justice and redemption
• Quentin Tarantino called Rio Bravo one of his favorite movies
• Maureen O’Hara performed her own stunts in McLintock!

Thanks to shows like Yellowstone and all its prequels and spinoffs, Westerns are in demand. INSP fans have always been dedicated to the genre and know the entertainment value of a well-made Western. But what if Westerns are not your thing? (We have a remedy for that: Find INSP in your area). What if your friends are talking about classic Westerns and you have nothing to say about Charlton Heston playing a villain in The Big Country? You might even, to the horror of all, ask “Who’s Charlton Heston?” Time to learn the basics so you can hold your own down at the Long Branch Saloon (FYI, that’s a Gunsmoke reference).

Westerns in General

Some common Western tropes include:

• Stunning but unforgiving open land
• Cattle drives, stagecoach or train robberies, Indian uprisings, gunfights, stampedes, the Civil War, among others.
• Characters may include a tough but fair marshal, rough-around-the-edges cowboys, a mysterious stranger, reformed gunslingers, corrupt lawmen, ruthless outlaws, a saloon girl with a big heart, a hilarious cowboy sidekick, greedy land or cattle barons, and many more.
• Themes include justice, vengeance, redemption, the cowboy life, freedom, standing up for what’s right, American spirit, save the ranch or town, encroaching civilization, and frontier romance, among others.

The Classics

Newbies ask: What are the most classic Westerns?

True Grit (1969)

Stars: John Wayne, Glen Campbell, Kim Darby

A teenage girl hires the ornery, one-eyed U.S. Marshal Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn to help her avenge her father’s murder.

Casually bring up in conversation:

• The story is a wonderful blend of action, justice and personal growth.
• John Wayne won his only Academy Award for his grumpy yet lovable portrayal of Rooster Cogburn.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

Stars: James Stewart, John Wayne, Vera Miles, Lee Marvin

Secrets haunt a senator, famous for killing an evil outlaw. Now, he divulges the truth about the showdown.

Casually bring up in conversation:

• The big shootout doesn’t come at the end. Instead, it’s the very reason for the intense, riveting revelations that keep us glued to the screen.
• One of the first psychological Westerns.

The Searchers (1956)

Stars: John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Natalie Wood

Shortly after Confederate soldier Ethan Edwards returns from the Civil War, his family is killed, and his nieces abducted by hostile Indians. Now, he’s out for revenge.

Casually bring up in conversation:

• Many consider Wayne’s character Ethan Edwards to be unlikable, but it was Wayne’s favorite role. He named his son Ethan after the character.
• Wayne’s characters aren’t often family-oriented, but in The Searchers, his character is fiercely loyal to family to the point of burning vengeance.

The Repeat Plays

Newbies ask: Which Westerns do fans rewatch the most?

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966)

Stars: Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef

Three unusual gunslingers hunt for a hidden Confederate treasure during the Civil War.

Casually bring up in conversation:

• Many call The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly the greatest Spaghetti Western of all time—from the stunning visuals to the now iconic musical score by Ennio Morricone to the non-stop tension and the powerful cast and characters.
• The stand-off at the end is simply brilliant filmmaking.

Rio Bravo (1959)

Stars: John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson

Sheriff John T. Chance defends the town against a powerful rancher seeking vengeance.

Casually bring up in conversation:

• The dynamic between the staid John Wayne and the humorous, vulnerable Dean Martin is super entertaining.
• Director Quentin Tarantino calls Rio Bravo one of his all-time favorites.

Winchester ’73 (1950)

Stars: James Stewart, Shelly Winters, Dan Duryea

Lin McAdams wins a classic, beautifully crafted Winchester ’73 rifle in a contest, but his rival steals it and sells it. The story follows McAdams’ adventures as he tracks the rifle, and hunts the thief, in a cat-and-mouse pursuit, to bring him to justice.

Casually bring up in conversation:

• James Stewart’s gripping performance in Winchester ’73 proved his emotional range as an actor and confirmed his status as a popular Western film star. He credited this role for saving his career, after a series of dud movies.
• Stewart prepared for his role long before filming, which included learning to hold and shoot the rifle. Director Anthony Mann said, “He studied hard at it. His knuckles were raw with practicing.”

The Biggest Laughs

Newbies ask: What are the funniest Western movies?

Support Your Local Sheriff (1969)

Stars: James Garner, Walter Brennan, Bruce Dern

When an easy-going stranger becomes the newest sheriff, his law-and-order ideas anger a murderous clan—especially now that gold has been discovered.

Casually bring up in conversation:

• This film parodies just about every Western trope, and references with hilarity and affection several classic films, but even if one doesn’t recognize the references, the humor holds up—with slapstick, sight gags, clever wit.
• The cast includes many all-time favorite Western stars, adding another layer to the send-up of the genre.

City Slickers (1991)

Stars: Billy Crystal, Bruno Kirby, Daniel Stern, Jack Palance

Three middle-aged “city slickers” on a cattle drive from New Mexico to Colorado learn about life, love, how to be real cowboys—and how to be real men. The movie takes you on a classic Western adventure with a hefty dose of “fish out of water” humor that keeps the laughs coming, while also touching on some deep emotional truths about friendship and life. The American Film Institute and Bravo voted City Slickers one of the top 100 funniest movies ever made.

Casually bring up in conversation:

• The horse Billy Crystal rode was named Beach Nut. He liked him so much that he bought him and rode him in the sequel.
• Jack Palance turned down another movie to make City Slickers. His decision earned him an Academy Award for his portrayal of Curly. The win came 38 years after his Oscar for Shane (1953)

McLintock! (1963)

Stars: John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Stefanie Powers

Rancher G.W. McLintock has his troubles—corruption, Indians, gunfights and, most frightening, the return of his estranged, soon to be ex-wife. When John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara are on screen together you know something big is going to happen, and in this case, it’s a rare (for Wayne) rollercoaster ride of laugh-out-loud moments.

Casually bring up in conversation:

• Maureen O’Hara performed her own stunts, including falling backward off a ladder into a water trough and duking it out in a wild mud-pit fight with Wayne.
• Beneath the hilarious antics, the film tackles some serious topics, including a failed marriage and ultimate reconciliation, justice for the Comanche tribe, and the community dynamics of a close-knit, small town.

The Down and Dirty

Newbies ask: What are the grittiest Westerns ever made?

Appaloosa (2008)

Stars: Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Renée Zellweger, Jeremy Irons

Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch are hired to bring to justice a ruthless rancher who has been terrorizing the town. But a pretty widow complicates matters. Appaloosa has grit to spare, but it also ranks high as one of those must-see rare, underrated Western gems.

Casually bring up in conversation:

• Ed Harris, who also directed and co-wrote the film, perfectly portrays the stoic cowboy-of-few-words, reminiscent of a classic Spaghetti Western hero.
• The gunfight scene between Virgil, Everett, and Ring was shot on the same location that was featured in the classic James Stewart Western, The Man from Laramie.

The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)

Stars: Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke

It’s not surprising that we included two Clint Eastwood classics in this category. His performance in The Outlaw Josey Wales is nuanced, powerful, and iconic, a balance of peaceful calm with a seething deadly edge. A farmer-turned-outlaw vows to avenge his family after Union soldiers kill them. With bounty hunters on his tail, and haunted by memories of war, Wales heads west picking up an unlikely group of survivors, misfits, and strays along the way.

Casually bring up in conversation:

• This film marked a turning point in Eastwood’s career as a director. A big fan who saw the movie several times, Orson Welles praised the director as “one of America’s finest.”
• The Outlaw Josey Wales is one of three Eastwood films selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant. The other two are Dirty Harry (1992) and Unforgiven (1976).

High Plains Drifter (1973)

Stars: Clint Eastwood

Part Western, part ghost story, a mysterious gunman, known as “The Stranger,” could be the savior that the people in a corrupt mining town desperately need…or their worst nightmare, as their dark secrets come to light, and vicious outlaws return to take care of unfinished business.

Casually bring up in conversation:

• Clint Eastwood’s debut as a director, High Plains Drifter sparked controversy, as it was a dark, heavy, violent film, compared to the typical Westerns produced in the 1970s.
• One of the film’s biggest critics was John Wayne, who wrote a pointed letter to Eastwood, stating the movie “… wasn't really about the people who pioneered the West."

The Family Movie Night

Newbies ask: What are the top family-friendly Westerns?

The Duel at Silver Creek (1952) - Rated PG

Stars: Audie Murphy

A gang of claim jumpers comes to town, taking over mines and killing anyone who gets in their way. Now, it’s up to Marshal “Lightning” Tyrone and his young, hotheaded deputy, “The Silver Kid,” to bring the outlaws to justice.

Casually bring up in conversation:

• There’s plenty of action to keep kids and the whole family involved in the story.
• It’s a time-honored story of good versus evil and the Wild West setting makes a clear distinction between the good guys and the bad guys.

The Shadow Riders (1982) - Rated PG

Stars: Tom Selleck, Sam Elliott, Katharine Ross

A family movie that’s all about family. Brothers fighting on opposite sides of the Civil War return home to learn their family has been kidnapped by marauding raiders. Now they must put their differences aside, and work together if they’re to find their siblings alive.

Casually bring up in conversation:

• Despite danger everywhere (and their opposite opinions), the bond between the brothers, and their steadfast determination to find their missing family, is unshakable.
• After starring in author Louis L’Amour’s The Sacketts, Selleck and Elliott asked him, for another story idea. So, he wrote The Shadow Riders and published the book the same year as the movie release. The book is appropriate for grades 7-12.

Gunsmoke: The Last Apache (1990) - Rated PG13

Stars: James Arness, Michael Learned, Amy Stoch

Matt Dillon rides again. Dillon is on a mission to save the daughter he never knew he had—and see that justice is served for two young Indian boys.

Casually bring up in conversation:

• Though there are some mature themes, and the plot stirred controversy even in 1990, this is a story of ultimate family love, as Dillon immediately feels protective of the daughter he doesn’t even know, and he’ll do anything to save her.
• The TV movie is based on the 1973 Gunsmoke episode, “Matt’s Love Story,” in which Dillon, suffering from amnesia, falls in love with Mike Yardner (played by Michael Learned of The Waltons fame), a woman who takes him in and nurses him back to health.

The Often-Overlooked Gems 

Newbies ask: What are the most underrated Westerns?

Forty Guns (1957)

Stars: Barbara Stanwyck, Barry Sullivan, Dean Jagger

A tough-as-nails rancher falls for the new Marshal charged with bringing law and order to her Arizona town. But her out-of-control, trigger-happy brother may get in the way.

Casually bring up in conversation:

• In typical Westerns, the ruthless cattle baron character is usually a man. Innovative director Samuel Fuller broke with tradition when he cast Stanwyck as the hardened, whip-cracking Arizona cattle rancher, who ruled the town, the sheriff, and had 40 gunmen at her beck and call. It was a highly unusual role for a woman at that time.
• Stanwyck did her own stunts, including having her foot caught in a stirrup and being dragged by a horse through town.

Jubal (1956)

Stars: Glenn Ford, Ernest Borgnine, Valerie French, Rod Steiger

Gruff rancher, Shep Horgan rescues traveling cowboy Jubal Troop and offers him a job. Soon jealous ranch hands plot against Jubal, and when Jubal rebuffs the advances of Shep’s flirtatious wife, she sets off a series of events to enact the ultimate revenge.

Casually bring up in conversation:

• You might not see a lot of big Western action in Jubal, but the timeless love triangle story, and the psychological drama, leading up to the inevitable ending take viewers on an intense and gripping ride.
• Jubal features mature themes of jealousy, manipulation, suspicion, and marital infidelity, and is based on Shakespeare’s play, Othello.

The Professionals (1966)

Stars: Burt Lancaster, Lee Marvin, Robert Ryan, Woody Strode, Jack Palance, Claudia Cardinale

Four soldiers of fortune go to Mexico to rescue a young wife kidnapped by a Mexican bandit. Her rich husband offers them a fortune … but is he telling them everything they need to know?

Casually bring up in conversation:

• From explosions to shootouts, bandit attacks and danger at every turn, there’s plenty of action in this complex yet compelling story.
• The movie takes place during the violent Mexican Revolution and explores the emotional themes of loyalty, betrayal, honor, sacrifice, moral and ethical dilemmas, and personal ambition.