Legends of Western Cinema Week || My Tag Answers

Time to do my tag answers!

And I have no idea how I'm gonna narrow this down. So many titles could fit in one or more categories, so we'll just go entirely off my fleeting thoughts and feelings in this very fleeting present moment. xD

Shall we?

Here goes!

Legends of Western Cinema Week Tag 2025

Share one or more movies / shows / stories for each prompt:

1) Cliff -- a tense cliffhanger -- Stagecoach (1939)

The ending... *chef's kiss* justly and absolutely deserves its great status.

2) Gulch -- a cool ambush scene -- Shadow on the Mesa (2013)

It's been so long since I've seen this... but I definitely remember this ambush-y scene in the willow bottoms midway through the film. Always felt unique to me.

3) Canyon -- a big gunfight -- Tombstone (1993) 

I know there are fierce debates about its historicity etc., but de famous gunfight in the middle there is Epic.

4) Mountains -- high stakes -- Rawhide (1951) 

This noir-ish classic with Tyrone Power and Susan Hayward has the most terrifying stakes I think of anything I've ever seen. It all ends happily, but I still haven't hardly been able to rewatch it.

5) Valley -- a beautiful romance -- The Fastest Gun Alive (1956) 

Ok. So I had a whole bunch of ideas for this one. (Open Range was my first choice, but it's needed elsewhere... ;)) But then I got thinking how this one would be really neat in the spot as well. It's the ongoing part of romance. The Ever After with life companions who actually know and understand what's really going on with each other, who go through the rough things together, and who ultimately face up to things rather than running.

6) Desert -- a suspenseful plot -- Silverado (1985) 

Silverado keeps you guessing. Never know exactly what'll happen next! XD

7) Forest -- themes about renewal -- Open Range (2003) 

There were quite a few in the runner up for this nomination -- which made me realize how common this thread is in westerns period and why I love both it and them so much -- but yes, Open Range won the day. The hard things happen, but through them all a new leaf is being turned, and in the end it's so genuinely sweet and gentle and hopeful and real.

8) River -- traveling to a new home -- Apple Dumpling Gang (1975) 

From the first moment that stage comes rocketing into view in the beginning till its determinedly unruffled ending, Apple Dumpling is all about finding a place to belong.

9) Plains -- characters who are farmers -- The Westerner (1940)

Whenever the category comes up, this is always the first one that comes to mind. Always interesting to see Gary Cooper in such a young role, too.

10) Mesa -- an animal central to the story -- The Tin Star (1957) 

I wanted to say Silverado (as the whole pajama duel over the horse is quite the inciting incident), but we'll go with this one as the horses here (particularly Kip's) do play an even more major role in essential plot points. (And yes, this one could work for the romance heading as well. Obviously. ;))

There you have it! Have you seen and loved any of these as well?