A Primer for Western Films

The best way to look at this absolutely massive genre is by period. Not necessarily looking at the periods in order (with one exception, noted below), but looking at films from a broad selection of periods.

Period 1: The American Golden Age. This is when westerns were huge, a period dominated by the likes of John Ford and John Wayne. It's the period with the most films, but also the most shit. That's not to imply it isn't a period worth exploring, however. Some of the best westerns ever made come from this era.

The Searchers One of John Ford and John Wayne's best collaborations, a tragic film about racism, obsession, and unspoken love. It can be a challenging film sometimes, but is without a doubt one of the greatest westerns (and films) ever made.

The Man who Shot Liberty Vallance James Stewart and John Wayne, again directed by Ford, and again one of the greatest films ever made, this one a look at heroism, violence, and American progress.

High Noon an early revisionist western, controversial in its time. It plays more like a Shakespeare drama then a western, and it isn't quite on the level of the two above, but still very good.

Johnny Guitar an absolutely incredible Joan Crawford stars in this weird, cheesy, beautifully colored feminist western. Not necessarily a masterpiece, but essential viewing to understand the massive range of this period, when everyone was making westerns.

Rio Bravo The last entry from me with the Duke. This is the western equivalent of The Avengers. Take that how you will.

Period 2: Spaghetti Westerns. The Italian response. Violent, weird, and far more subversive than their American predecessors. You've already seen the two best.

A Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More, the first two entries in the Dollars trilogy are also essential viewing.

Django Not as well written as Leone's efforts, this uber-violent shoot em' up western is a ton of fun, and features some awesome set design.

Period 3: American Revisionist Westerns. In the 60s, the Italians seemed to seize the genre, presenting a much more violent, darker view of the American west. In the 70s, America took back the genre for one last hurrah, taking inspiration from the violence and politics of the Spaghetti westerns.

The Wild Bunch is the essential film of this period. Blood soaked, thrilling, and tragic, this is Sam Peckinpah's great eulogy to the west.

The Outlaw Josey Wales This film directed by Eastwood feels like a Spaghetti western shot in the States. Not as radical as the other films of this section, but still quite good.

McCabe and Mrs. Miller, Robert Altman's no hold's barred iconoclastic assault on every notion of the west anyone has ever held dear. The only film that I would call beautiful because of how shitty it looks.

Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid is a controversial pick, and you have to get the director's cut, but this is one of the saddest, most powerful westerns ever made. Absolutely stunning, and nearly on par with the legendary The Wild Bunch by the same director.

Period 4: The Death of American Exceptionalism. With the fall of the Berlin Wall, many of the ideals of the Cold War that espoused an old American greatness gave way. There are not many films in this period, and to be appreciated they really must be seen after you have a good knowledge of the first three periods, as these tear in, no holds barred, to every idea of the old west.

Unforgiven is the film to watch from this period. Directed and starring Eastwood, this is Eastwood lamenting the empty violence of the early days of his career, and the senselessness of the American frontier. It's hard to express just how important this film is.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford this is one of my favorite films of all time. It might not be yours. You might hate it. It's too long, too slow, too vague. It drifts through its running time with little violence or clear progress. It's a film about passion and drive focused on characters who have long given up their passions. It's a sad film. It's a film about killing your heroes. About letting old notions of glory die with age and time. When it was released, it was almost unnoticed. It's getting a new look now though, and I dare say in a decade or two it will be considered alongside the likes of The Searchers, Unforgiven, or The Wild Bunch.

Finally,

Slow West just came out earlier this year, to little real notice. It's a film lost in space, directed by a Scott, starring an Aussie and an Irishman, and shot in New Zealand. It's a romance western about the folly of romance in a violent world.

This is way longer than I meant it to be, but I hope it helps a little. I love westerns, and I'm always glad to see someone getting into the genre for the first time.

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