Great Epic Classic Westerns // Mini-Reviews

For LOWC Week, fourteen of my favorite classic westerns. Enjoy! (Alphabetized, i.e. in no particular order or ranking. ;D).

Dodge City (1939) with Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland

To quote: “Cheered for Flynn’s sagebrush debut, its vivid Technicolor look, and spectacular saloon brawl that may have employed every available stunt person in Hollywood”, this is certainly a tale of the west at its rip-roaring-est. Content-wise there’re some saloon girls and one cowhand takes a big soapy bath at the only tub between Chicago and Denver. And there’re the bad guys who do a bunch of bad, nasty things like shooting innocent ranchers etc. (Oh, and the heroine’s brother -- a young hothead of an idiot who should have had his gun confiscated by some sensible citizen before the film ever starts -- meets an unpleasant end near the beginning.) *MAJOR SPOILERS* There’s also a cheery little boy that has a sad fatal accident. :( *END SPOILERS* Basically, they try to pack every last wild thing that could happen in all the wild west into one fast moving, dramatic tale. Featuring great acting (and incidentally, lovely ensembles for Olivia de Havilland), it’s certainly a classic.

 

High Noon (1952) with Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly

Most people seem to fall into two camps when it comes to High Noon. I’ve seen it a couple times now and still can’t decide if it’s revisionist or accurate, defeatist or a searing indictment of man’s depravity, slightly nihilistic or richly allegorical. It hurls a challenge and forces you to think -- think long, hard, and deep. But whether you love it or hate it (or like me, can’t quite make up your mind), there’s no denying it’s a serious classic. Some random thoughts: 1) the town is populated with a bunch of familiar faces, 2) since seeing The Westerner I’ve decided personally I much prefer GC in the swashbuckling/slightly cocky-by-times type role (not to detract from his performance here though, which is excellent), 3) I’ve always liked Mrs. Ramirez, 4) the theme song is EPIC. There’s a non-bloody, actually fairly low key shootout and a regal-ish lady of the night (who owns half the town) -- but everything is said in code and there’re no indecent scenes, so I’d say it’s family friendly. In conclusion, make sure to add it to your watch list and prepare for some discussion!

Rawhide (1951) with Tyrone Power and Susan Hayward

This one's remarkable in that it highlights Tyrone Power in an inexperienced, rug's-just-been-yanked-out-from-under-your-feet type role. And he's very good at it. (Though, I mean, he’s Tyrone Power, so the swashbuckling-ness simmers under the surface in a totally compatible fashion). The initial outlaw leader (apart from being a murderer) is actually pretty fairly gentlemanly, and it also spends time exploring the dynamics in the gang of outlaws, who are unexpectedly cast together themselves, with the accompanying stresses and strains in personalities, so that's interesting. Content-wise, there is a quick scene with a lady washing off the dust of travel (but it only shows her arms and shoulders from behind) and one of the bad guys (actually a versatile and familiar western face, I won't tell you who) is a pretty lecherous outlaw; and in order to flush out our hero at the end, he takes warning shots at a toddler (that part is honestly still bothering me). But it works and the hero shows himself, and the way that all happens -- and how the main characters really become forged into a little family by fire -- is the reason why this film is here in the first place and ultimately why I ended up really loving it. There's also lots of punching and some shooting, obviously. I know that sounds like a lot, but it really fits into the class of grand classic westerns dealing with toughness, honesty, gritty integrity, etc. And it has a happy ending. The skippable bits it does have are old school, but I’d still preview it before showing children at all and gauge if they’re emotionally ready, especially for the way the climactic shoot out plays out. Definitely worth finding and checking out.

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) with John Wayne

Classic cavalry v. Indians and one of my favorite John Wayne’s. The thrilling theme song catches you at the throat from beginning to end and it’s definitely one of those all around classics. You can hop over and check out my review HERE. Content-wise there’s fighting, bandaged soldiers, and a scene with some traitorous Indian agents being killed (though you don’t see what’s happening). All in all an excellent family film. I’d love to hear if you’ve seen it!

Stagecoach (1939) with John Wayne and Claire Trevor

To quote a good summary, “A stagecoach sets off across the untamed wilderness carrying a mixed assortment of characters whose journey is complicated by an Apache raiding party. Directed by John Ford, the original 1939 Stagecoach has long been recognized as one of the most influential films ever made and transcends the Western genre. Winner of 2 Academy Awards & 5 Nominations, it features John Wayne in his breakthrough role!” My #1 favorite classic western. You can read my review HERE for all the whereas’s and wherefore’s.

The Big Country (1958) with Gregory Peck and Jean Simmons

Filled to the brim with complex characters, this is the quintessential saga of feuding cattle barons and land wars. Honestly, except for our main couple, there are so many legitimate grievances on both sides that there aren’t really any good or bad guys (and, come the end, you may find yourself crying and cheering for the person you would’ve least expected). But that’s all part of what makes a huge sweeping classic. I wouldn’t recommend for family viewing due to the all around intensity and a particularly violent predicament wherein the heroine finds herself (the worst man of the lot does attack her and means to go pretty far with it, but she’s rescued before he follows through with anything). (Oh, and there’s one scene where Charlton Heston’s character is in white long johns and shirtless.) I wouldn’t say it’s one of my absolute top favorites, mainly because (even though I get the point they’re making throughout -- that a real man doesn’t need to flaunt his prowess or “prove” anything to anyone) I do personally tend to prefer my heroes with a bit more panache (and at least the right kinda hat), but I did end up liking it much more the second time around and it’s most certainly a major classic. It’ll make you think and leave you with a deeper understanding of the west and life in general (and if you like To Kill a Mockingbird and Gregory Peck particularly, you might end up loving it :)).

The Fastest Gun Alive (1956) with Glenn Ford and Jeanne Crain

Believe it or not, this is the first Glenn Ford film I’ve ever seen. Suffice to say, I didn’t know quite what to expect, but it surpassed any and all ideas I had, and has landed firmly among my top favorites. (Also, while it’s not integral to the plot, I think Russ Tamblyn’s solo at the barn dance rivals most anything he did in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.) There’re a number of interesting and unusual plot twists, including one development showing how even a child’s careless words can stir up a cyclone and land him in a whole heap o’ trouble. I thought the theme might be about pride, and there was a bit of that, but it’s more about being impatient of flying under false colors, the harrowing pain of real honesty, facing down ghosts -- facing fear itself -- and being truly grafted in as part of a loving, loyal community for reals -- where people really care and are willing to really sacrifice. Definitely plenty of knot-in-the-pit of the stomach and tingles come climax time! In fact, I’m getting shivers just thinking about it while writing. (P.S. *SPOILERS* And it does have a happy ending. *END SPOILERS*) No language or objectionable scenes and pretty clean shooting.

The Gunfighter (1950) with Gregory Peck

Full of familiar faces -- with some gentle passing humor and good one liners -- it’s the story of a tired gunfighter wanting, yet now unable, to lay aside his arms. With great acting from all parties, it contains the strong, tension building, waiting scenes of all good westerns. This was the first time I’d seen a real gunslinging Gregory Peck (IMHO The Big Country doesn’t really count, in that very particular regard anyway) and it fully lived up to expectations. It’s one of those that feels quiet and then takes hold and builds in your mind later. There’s no language and minimal violence. I’d say it’s definitely family friendly, though *SPOILERS* it does end with a funeral. I’m not big on sad endings, but this one actually feels deeply satisfying (from a story perspective), but if you’re planning a family film night it’s maybe more for over 10-ish at least.

The Magnificent Seven (1960) with Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, etc.

(Mostly) taking place south of the border, this one has a really different, unusual feel to it. The accents are a little forced at times, particularly at the beginning, but it’s one massive sprawling epic of a film -- with all the many moving parts and puzzle pieces, personalities and character motivations that entails. Also thrilling musical score and scenery. I think my favorite aspect is just the little moments of good camaraderie between main characters -- I do love that sorta thing. And seeing Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen (and when it comes to that James Coburn) for the first time in a western is… well, truly magnificent. There are a few scenes that might be a bit to process for younger folk and the shootout is fairly vivid, with an excellently done somewhat-sad-yet-all-in-all-happy ending. (*SPOILER* in other words, they don’t ALL get killed, but, you know, some do *END OF SPOILER*), so would definitely recommend a parental preview. Undeniably a major classic! (P.S. And there’s also a young, blossoming romance. So that’s sweet. ;))

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) with John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart

From everything I’d ever read, I knew this was going to be bittersweet. But I had to see it sometime so I figured it was now or never. It was also high on my TBW list as I realized somehow I’ve gotten this far and never seen any of Jimmy Stewart’s westerns. (That being said, I’ve heard this one is possibly atypical in some ways.) And I was right about most everything. It is bittersweet in some ways, but finishing it… wow…ow. Just WOW. I don’t wanna be one of those reviewers to just say, “Oh, it’s really such a classic and you should just watch it and see for yourself.” Generally I prefer to give more meat and bones of plot or at least themes etc., but eeesh, I don’t know… There are so many different things going on -- and going on in each of the main characters -- it’s just pretty hard to encapsulate. (Oh! **SPOILERS** Except I do want to weigh in on the question of the Stoddard/Doniphon/Hallie love triangle. I thought it was going to be a love contest of sorts between two actors who were cast just a bit too old for the roles, but Stewart actually came across younger than I expected and as the film wrapped up I realized that Wayne being older might be just fine… It’s like he’s been working hard for years to build something up from the empty prairie, all the while dreaming of a sweet spirited girl to share it with when it’s ready, and then when it happens the time has gone by, everything is moving forward and onward. There’s a younger man and the world is hovering on the brink of new times. But there’s crossover and overlap between two worlds and the changing times -- and that’s where it gets a bit sad and sniffly.) In conclusion, I definitely concur that it IS a classic and you should watch it sometime. (Though I wouldn’t recommend for younger folks as the bad guy etc. is fairly nasty.)

The Sons of Katie Elder (1965) with John Wayne and Dean Martin

This one is a REALLY recent addition (in that I just saw it for the first time about two weeks ago and then it allllmost made it to my Top 10 list just on the first viewing). I'm seriously kinda at a loss for words and for once the back of the DVD case actually says it really well, so we'll just quote that, “…not only is this a he-man’s story, but it is also a drama of the maternal influence of Katie Elder, movingly portrayed from beginning to conclusion.” So yes. It's masculine but tender, and -- with all the cheering-ish, sniffly, aching-ness of all really great stories -- western or otherwise -- there's so much depth and past history and... and... and... yeah, you just have to watch it. As to content: there's the expected fighting and shooting and a kinda dramatic death scene that happened in a way I wasn't expecting (in that it wasn't a person I expected, hence the sniffles), but you can see it all coming. (Oh, and the Bad Guy's a Traitorous Weasel And Made Me Really Mad. Several times.) But justice is finally served and there's a happy ending. Even though it is terribly sniffly in parts, I wouldn't even call it bittersweet. It's big and fun and sweet and dramatic and serious all at the same time, and it grabs hold of you and won't let go. Watch it! 

The Westerner (1940) with Gary Cooper and Walter Brennan

Based (somewhat) loosely on fact (there was a real Judge Bean and from what I’ve read he was a truly remarkable character in every sense of the word) this story details the conflict in Pecos, TX between the ranchers and homesteaders, with a nutty, crooked, self-appointed judge in the middle -- that is till the lone Westerner (Gary Cooper) comes into town. It’s actually much more complex than I envisioned when starting and the depth of character development is MUCH more than I expected, particularly for the two main characters. Out of their initial meeting grows an odd, erstwhile friendship, excellently developed right up into the final shoot out. I found the climax particularly really interesting in how it’s done, and actually rather emotional. Not super sad -- it’s like you know what has to happen has to happen -- but yes, emotional. For me, the way the shootout’s done took it from being ‘another western’ and bumped it into the classics category. And yes! It has a happy ending. As far as content: there’s no language, but there is a hanging, shootings, some fist fight stuff, and a major fire; and some smooth talking on the part of the good guy, but he comes all right in the end. So I’d say definitely family friendly, but maybe with a parental preview.

3:10 to Yuma (1957) with Glenn Ford and Van Heflin

With strong black and white camera angles and somber, heavily marching scenes, this entire western -- the tale of a rancher going through tough times and standing alone to bring Ben Wade, a famous outlaw killer, to justice -- has a strong flavor of film noir. I can’t say it’s my favorite by a long shot, but it certainly rightly rubs shoulders with other classics and (particularly if you like film noir or just feel in the right mood) it might be just the ticket for you. It’s definitely deep (especially with all sorts of tempted-by-the-devil connotations) and the ending is ripe with questions as to whether or not the bad guy has or can be redeemed. (Yeah, plenty of conversation material there.) And if you like metaphorical stuff and thinking through themes, etc. there’s a lot packed in to think about. Content-wise, at the beginning Wade flirts with a bartender and (though nothing is shown) it’s strongly implied the relationship goes beyond flirting. Also, by the time you get to the climax everything is pretty intense (with an unexpected hanging even getting thrown in too), so I’d definitely recommend a preview before watching with younger folks.

Union Pacific (1939) with Joel McCrea and Barbara Stanwyck

In passing, I'm floored realizing how many good westerns came out in 1939 -- three diverse ones in this post alone. I wrote some notes on this one HERE earlier. (If you missed them make sure to check them out, because seriously, you have to see this one. ;)) Also, it all ends happily, but eeeesh, there’re some MAJOR sniffles along the way. And at the end. But it’s totally worth it. So yes -- until such time as I can do a scene by scene review or something and do it some sort of justice -- I’ve said all I can. Stopping now. Go forth and find it!

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I'd love to hear your thoughts, if you found any new ones, and if we have any favorites in common!