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The 15 Greatest John Wayne Movie Moments – My Blog

Who doesn’t love John Wayne? The tough-talking cowboy dominated the silver screen for decades, captivating audiences with his endless charisma and dynamic swagger. Growing up, I saw many of the Duke’s films — my mom loved him — but only later discovered some of his greatest adventures, including “The Searchers.” All told, Wayne appeared in over 250 films, earned three Academy Award nominations, and took home an Oscar for Best Actor (“True Grit”). One need only glance at his resume to notice a handful of classic films: “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” “Sands of Iwo Jima,” “The Quiet Man,” “Rio Bravo,” “The Shootist,” and “Stagecoach,” among many, many others. Each of these films comes with a plethora of memorable scenes. Be it a line of colorful dialogue, a well-executed action sequence, or a simple character beat in which Wayne shows off his effortless charm, there are plenty of unforgettable Duke moments to choose from, but which are the best? Well, I’ve poured through Wayne’s catalog of films to come up with the 15 greatest John Wayne movie moments, ranked from good to great. So what are you waiting for, pilgrim? We’re burning daylight. Read!15. Battle of the Alamo -—The Alamo (1960)United Artists/YouTubeJohn Wayne pulled double duty as director and star of 1960’s big-budget “The Alamo.” While James Edward Grant’s script plays loose with facts, Wayne delivers a spectacular epic that deserves more recognition than it receives, primarily due to its sheer ambition. Naturally, the crown jewel of this 167-minute production is the massive set piece that sees Davy Crockett (Wayne), Jim Bowie (Richard Widmark), William B. Travis (Laurence Harvey), and other legendary heroes square off against General Santa Anna’s Mexican army.Impressive in its scope and scale, the climactic battle is a breathtaking achievement to behold. Wayne captures the chaos in sharp detail by utilizing hundreds of extras and any number of pyrotechnics. The sound design alone is enough to rock your eardrums. Every canon blast, gunshot, and explosion thunders over the soundtrack while Dimitri Tiomkin’s score intensifies the action.Our heroes fight to the bitter end. Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier, is stabbed with a spear but still manages to go out with a bang — literally! He dives into a powder magazine with a torch in hand and blows himself to Kingdom Come, a bitter end for a legendary hero. Travis and Bowie likewise die in combat. The battle ends in a complete victory for the Mexican army, resulting in a rare downbeat, even poignant, finale for a John Wayne film.14. Chisum stands up for White Buffalo — Chisum (1970)Warner Bros./YouTube“Chisum” focuses on the Lincoln County War of 1878, during which respected cattle rancher John Chisum (John Wayne) fought back against conniving businessmen operating a dry goods monopoly in Lincoln County, New Mexico. The actual conflict is notable for its legendary participants, namely Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett, portrayed in the film by Geoffrey Deuel and Glenn Corbett. While the film boosts the melodrama and reworks the true story for its own devices, “Chisum” remains one of the better John Wayne films to emerge in the latter half of his career.The Duke is in peak form blasting bad guys to bits with his revolver, but the best scene in the picture occurs when our hero stands up for a former rival named Chief White Buffalo (Abraham Sofaer). The Native American has a history with Chisum dating back to the “old days” when the duo fought each other over land but has since developed a respect for the grizzled cowboy — and vice versa. As such, when an Army First Sergeant (John Pickard) lays his hands on the chief, Chisum calmly pulls him aside and growls, “One other thing you oughta know. Sergeant, you touch White Buffalo again and I’ll kill ya.”The brief moment captures the essence of Chisum, a man who fights for the dignity of others, even his enemies.13. Planting the flag — Sands of Iwo Jima (1949)Republic Pictures/YouTubeJohn Wayne earned an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of the cantankerous Marine Sgt. John Stryker in “Sands of Iwo Jima,” a thrilling World War II epic that follows a group of United States Marines from basic training to the legendary battle of Iwo Jima. Wayne dives deep into his bag of tricks for this one, creating a hard-nosed character who is feared and admired by all.Stryker’s training prepares his rugged Marines for combat, and it’s not long before the hardened vet leads his boys across the perilous terrain of Iwo Jima, resulting in deaths aplenty. At one point, the remaining Marines, including Stryker, pause for a smoke break. The crew shares some laughs, but then, Stryker is hit by a bullet from a hidden Japanese soldier. (Audible gasp!) After executing the killer, Stryker’s men dig through their sergeant’s pockets and discover an unfinished letter to his son. Despite fighting alongside the man, the men realize they never knew their leader, who laments his failures as a husband and father and encourages his son to follow his heart. He was an old softy after all.The battle-weary men glance up and see the American flag rising atop Mount Suribachi — a moment immortalized by Joe Rosenthal’s iconic photo. It’s a heartbreaking, emotional, stirring finale that succinctly concludes this Word WarII epic on a powerful note. I cry every time.12. Final shootout — El Dorado (1966)Paramount/YouTubeJohn Wane and director Howard Hawks teamed up for the fourth time on “El Dorado,” a film about an aging gunfighter named Cole Thornton (Wayne), who aids Sheriff J.P. Harrah (Robert Mitchum) in his quest to stop a crew of evil ranchers pestering the denizens of El Dorado over water rights. The simplistic story, based on the novel “The Stars in Their Courses” by Harry Brown, is merely an excuse to give Wayne another opportunity to demonstrate his red-blooded machismo, and the Duke doesn’t disappoint,Despite taking a bullet in the back early in the film that results in spontaneous temporary paralysis on the right side of his body, Thornton manages to kill the bad guys and save the day during the thrilling climax. Following a series of kidnappings, blackmails, and murders, evildoers Jason (Ed Asner) and Nelse McLeod (Christopher George) confront a wagon-riding Thornton in front of the local saloon at night. Our hero’s right hand is visibly crippled, but that impairment isn’t enough to prevent him from leaping off the wagon and blasting McLeod with a carefully concealed shotgun. Even after a bullet grazes his leg, Thornton dispatches the remaining bad guys with minimal effort while Harrah, Mississippi (James Caan), and Joey (Michele Carey) provide support.Don’t mess with John Wayne, people, no matter the situation.11. Sean boxes Red — The Quiet Man (1952)Republic Pictures/YouTubeIn 1952, John Ford, John Wayne, and Maureen O’Hara tossed aside the rugged vistas of the Old West for Ireland’s lush countryside and the classic dramedy “The Quiet Man.” Wayne stars as Sean Thornton, a former boxer with a checkered past, who develops a fierce quarrel with feisty Mary Kate Danaher (O’Hara) and her brother Will (Victor McLaglen). Sean marries Mary Kate, but Will refuses to give his sister her dowry — it’s complicated — an action that causes tensions between everyone involved. Mary Kate demands her husband take the dowry from her brother by force, but Sean has given up boxing following a tragedy.No matter. Sean eventually relents and confronts Will about the dowry, a confrontation that results in a boxing match for the ages. The two brawlers duke it out over several square miles in front of the local townsfolk. They knock each other through bales of hay, tumble into rivers, and even stop for a quick drink. More silly than tense, the scuffle nonetheless remains one of the more entertaining sequences in Wayne’s career and wraps Ford’s brilliant, crowd-pleasing “Quiet Man” in a shiny, green bow.10. Hondo teaches a boy to swim — Hondo (1953)Paramount/YouTubeJohn Wayne was a tough man with a blatant intolerance for weakness. He portrayed heroes who worked hard and expected others to follow suit, especially kids. There’s a great scene in “The Cowboys” in which he helps a young boy with his stuttering by berating the child in front of his fellow boys. Enraged, the kid curses out Wayne’s character, eventually shouting, “You god**** mean, dirty, son of a b****!” without fumbling his words. Satisfied with the lesson, Wayne retorts, “I wouldn’t make a habit of calling me that, son.”Still, none of Wayne’s teaching methods match the one found in John Farrow’s “Hondo,” in which Wayne’s titular hero tosses six-year-old Lee Aaker into a river after learning he can’t swim. When the boy’s mother, Angie (Geraldine Page), pleads for Hondo to save him, the tough old goat smirks, “It’s time he learned. Everybody should swim.” The kid manages to reach the other side of the river, leading to this humorous exchange:“How will he get back,” Angie asks.“He’ll swim,” Hondo quips.“He might drown,” she snaps.“Then you go get him,” he snaps back.“Well, I can’t swim either!” Angie’s voice trails off. She sees the look on Hondo’s face and immediately runs to the house. Brilliant.9. Saloon shootout — The Shootist (1976)Paramount/YouTubeJohn Wayne concluded his astonishing career by teaming up with Don Siegel for the gritty 1976 Western “The Shootist.” Here, the Duke stars as known gunfighter J.B. Books, who learns he’s dying of cancer and heads to Carson City, Nevada to spend his final days. There, he befriends a widower (Lauren Bacall) and her overzealous young son, Gillom (Ron Howard), who is instantly attracted to Brooks’ violent lifestyle. As word spreads of Brooks’ desire to go out with a bang, several of his past enemies arrive for a showdown.Fittingly, the story concludes inside a saloon where Brooks engages in a bloody shootout with three gunfighters. Our hero wins but is promptly shot in the back by a cowardly bartender. Gillom arrives and shoots the bartender in retaliation and then tosses the gun away, repulsed by his actions. Brooks silently nods his approval, offers a slight grin, and then rolls over and dies.While the shootout lacks the ferocity and joy of previous Wayne ventures, the real-life drama percolating off-screen gives the scene more weight. This was the Duke’s last film. He would die of cancer three years later. “The Shootist” adroitly sums up his career and legacy. It is a sad, somber tale about a beloved man whose life ends far too quickly.8. Poker game — Tall in the Saddle (1944)RKO Radio Pictures/YouTube“Tall in the Saddle” is one of John Wayne’s forgotten gems. This rip-roaring B-movie action adventure checks every box on the list of Western cliches but still manages to surprise and entertain thanks to some fine performances and terrific set pieces. There are several memorable moments to choose from here, but the scene that takes the cake is the one in which Rocklin (Wayne) sits down for a poker game with some two-faced players, including the loud-mouthed Clint Harolday (Russell Wade). During the final round, Clint plays a “dead card” that gives him the upper hand. Rocklin tries to take the money, noting that the illegal card doesn’t count, but Clint inexplicably pulls a gun.Ever the cool-headed cowboy, Rocklin quietly stands, turns, and heads upstairs. Clint boasts about his winnings and brushes off the warnings of the bartender, who suggests he high tail it out of the saloon because Rocklin is the kind who comes back. Sure enough, all eyes turn towards the top of the stairs, where Rocklin quietly reemerges with a gun. He walks down the steps, the wood creaking beneath his feet, approaches Clint, and demands his money.Clint obliges and even apologizes for his actions. Rocklin says nothing, collects his cash, and heads back upstairs — a classic scene that proves John Wayne is the ultimate king of cool.7. Opening scene — Rio Bravo (1959)Warner Bros./YouTubeIn the late 1950s, John Wayne realized he would play a cowboy for the rest of his life. He had just released a series of box-office failures following his critically-acclaimed turn in “The Searchers” and desperately needed to get back on top. Enter Howard Hawks’ 1959 classic “Rio Bravo,” a film so successful that Wayne and Hawks would remake it twice as “El Dorado” in 1966 and “Rio Lobo” in 1970.The film follows Sheriff John T. Chance (Wayne) as he teams up with hard-drinking former lawman Dude (Dean Martin) and a young hotshot dubbed Colorado (Ricky Nelson) to fend off the gang of a powerful criminal recently arrested for murder. While a tad slow and light on action, “Rio Bravo” remains one of the Duke’s best films thanks to its strong performances, intriguing plot, and captivating characters.Hawks’ film also features one of Wayne’s all-time best scenes, an extended opening sequence that aptly establishes the plot using minimal dialogue. The scene begins with a drunken Dude stumbling into a bar looking for a drink. Joe Burdette (Claude Akins) eggs him on by tossing coins into a spittoon. Before Dude can reach in to grab the money, Chance arrives and stops him. Outraged, Dude knocks Chance out, resulting in a scrum that leaves an unnamed cowboy (played by Kurt Russell’s dad, Bing) dead. Joe heads to another bar, but Chance, bleeding from Dude’s attack, arrives and arrests him. Simple but undoubtedly effective storytelling at its finest.6. Tom burns his ranch — The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)Paramount/YouTubeJohn Wayne occasionally stepped outside his comfort zone to portray complex characters that did more than just shoot bad guys. In the case of “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” the atypical, fun-loving, smooth-talking Wayne character is posited in a far grittier world colored in darker shades of gray. Director John Ford demystifies the Western legend and calls to question the various myths that percolate throughout our history.Co-starring James Stewart, “Liberty Valance” details Ransom Stoddard’s dealings with the vile titular character played by Lee Marvin. Ransom is a believer in the law and objects to the use of force to bring Valance down. Tom Doniphon (Wayne), a local cowboy, stands up for Ransom and trains him to shoot, but the two men never see eye-to-eye, mainly because they’re locked in a love triangle involving Hallie Stoddard (Vera Miles). After more violence, Ransom confronts and kills Valance following an intense standoff.The incident allows Ransom to marry Hallie, which breaks Tom’s heart, resulting in one of John Wayne’s finest moments as an actor. Tom goes back to his ranch, which he was expanding for Hallie, and burns it all to the ground. He then tries to kill himself but is saved by his best man Pompey (Woody Strode).By itself, the scene is powerful and devastating. Except, later we learn that Tom actually killed Valance, mainly out of love for Hallie, which gives the entire sequence even more poignancy.5. G.W. spanks Kate — McLintock! (1963)Paramount/YouTubeJohn Wayne and Maureen O’Hara collaborated five times throughout their storied careers, often with satisfying results. While “Rio Grande” and “The Quiet Man” earn top marks, “McLintock!” remains the duo’s most iconic collaboration, if only because of the sequence advertised on the film’s poster. Yeah, that one.Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, “McLintock!” details an estranged husband and wife’s efforts to repair their fractured marriage while dealing with corrupt government officials, farmers, and land grabbers in late 1800s America. Loosely based on William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” “McLintock!” ultimately arrives at a rowdy conclusion that sees George Washington “G.W.” McClintock (Wayne) chasing his half-naked wife Katherine (O’Hara) around town to give her a proper spanking. The sequence is outrageous fun and features crazy stunts, hundreds of extras, and goofy slapstick comedy not typically found in the Duke’s portfolio. At one point, Katherine flies through a store window! The feisty redhead leaps from buildings, tosses cans of food at her husband, and even falls into a horse trough with comical results.Eventually, G.W. captures his wife and gives her a good spanking in front of the townsfolk before riding off into the sunset. Don’t worry! Katherine chases him down, and the two reconcile before the credits roll. It’s silly but fun.4. Wil fights Asa – The Cowboys (1972)Warner Bros./YouTubeThe Duke didn’t die too often in his films, but you certainly felt the impact when he did. Case in point: Mark Rydell’s excellent 1972 feature “The Cowboys” in which Wayne’s tough-talking rancher, Wil Andersen, leads a group of schoolboys on a cattle drive and is gunned down by none other than Bruce Dern.The tragic moment arrives late in the picture when Wil and his boys spot a gang trailing their herd and decide to hole up for the night. Dern’s character, Asa Watts, wants the cattle and has tracked Wil’s group over hundreds of miles. Now, he’s finally ready to make his move.Initially, Asa ignores Wil and tortures one of the young boys in the group, but Wil eventually intervenes and challenges the much younger man to a fight. “I’m 30 years older than you are,” the grizzled vet says. “Had my back broke once, my hip twice, and on my worst day I could beat the hell out of you.”A brutal fistfight commences, Wil eventually gains the upper hand and slams Asa into a tree, then turns away. Asa grabs a pistol, tells Wil to turn around, and shoots him in the arm. Wil shakes off the wound and continues walking, but Asa puts one in his leg, shoulder, and belly. It’s a shocking, stomach-churning moment of violence that competently symbolizes Wayne’s passing of the torch to a much younger, rougher crowd of cinematic heroes and villains.3. The charge — True Grit (1969)Paramount/YouTubeJohn Wayne earned a well-deserved Oscar for his portrayal of one-eyed, drunken U.S. Marshal Reuben “Rooster” J. Cogburn in 1969’s “True Grit.” The film, based on the novel by Charles Portis, tells the tale of young Mattie Ross (Kim Darby), who hires Cogburn to find and arrest Tom Chaney (Jeff Corey), the man who murdered her father. Along the way, they team up with Le Boeuf, a young Texas Ranger (Glen Campbell): deal with outlaws such as “Lucky” Ned Pepper (Robert Duvall), and kickstart a friendly relationship.While the Coen brothers’ 2010 remake, starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Hailee Steinfeld remains the better adaptation of Portis’ novel, Wayne’s version, directed by Henry Hathaway, is a worthy showcase for the 62-year-old star. Indeed, the aged actor is terrific as Rooster Cogburn, particularly in the climactic shootout that ranks among the finest scenes in his career.Rooster, on horseback, confronts Ned’s gang alone and urges the outlaw’s cohorts to stand clear. The foursome laughs off his threats and Ned calls him a “one-eyed fat man.” Angered, Rooster pulls a rifle and a revolver, tucks his horse’s reins between his teeth, and bellows, “Fill your hands, you son of a b***!” The two factions charge at each other, guns blazing, and the Duke manages to take the lot of them down (with a bit of help from La Boeuf). It’s a sensational sequence, and one of the reasons Wayne took home the golden statue that year.2. Ethan saves Debbie — The Searchers (1956)Warner Bros./YouTubeJohn Ford’s “The Searchers” remains one of the all-time great motion pictures, a superbly directed, wonderfully acted, beautifully filmed story about revenge, love, prejudice, and violence featuring John Wayne’s best performance. Bar none. As the embittered Ethan Edwards, the Duke portrays a complex character struggling with a hatred of Native Americans that stems from a personal tragedy in his past and heats to a boil when his niece, Debbie (Natalie Wood), is kidnapped by a Comanche known as Scar (Henry Brandon). Ethan teams up with his adopted nephew, Martin (Jeffrey Hunter), to save his niece. Their mission becomes a dangerous quest that consumes five years of their lives. Will Ethan give in to his hatred and kill Debbie now that she is part Comanche? Or will the bitter war veteran rescue her from Scar?The long-winded adventure comes to a head in an intense climax that sees Ethan, Martin, and a small army attack Scar’s camp. Martin kills the Comanche leader, and Ethan brutally scalps him. Then, Ethan turns his attention to Debbie. Our rugged hero chases the young woman on horseback and appears ready to deliver the final blow but instead picks her up and quietly says, “Let’s go home, Debbie.” The music swells, and the pair embrace in one of the greatest finales in movie history.1. Ringo Kid introduction — Stagecoach (1939)United Artists/YouTubeJohn Wayne suffered through countless obscure Westerns for over a decade before John Ford changed his fortunes and cast him as the Ringo Kid in the 1939 classic “Stagecoach.” The rest, as they say, is history.Wayne’s character first appears in an all-time epic shot, during which the camera pushes into his face and captures his rugged, handsome features. The young cowboy, illuminated by scenic Monument Valley, cocks his rifle with one hand, an innocent expression creasing his sweaty face. At this point in the film, we know Ringo is an outlaw who escaped prison to avenge his father and brother. The shot perfectly establishes Ringo as a brash young cowboy ready for action, albeit leery of the trials to come. He’s larger than life, a magnificent hero ideally situated among the scenic landscape, the type of character Wayne would repeatedly portray over the next four decades.Wayne’s role as the Ringo Kid set the stage for a magnificent career that would pair him with talented directors such as the aforementioned Ford, Howard Hawks, Henry Hathaway, Andrew V. McLaglen, and many others. John Wayne became a household name and a cultural icon who is still well-regarded today — political ideologies aside. And he owes it all to this legendary moment in “Stagecoach.”Read More: https://www.slashfilm.com/1118659/the-greatest-john-wayne-movie-moments/?utm_campaign=clip

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The Christmas Western That’s Also One of John Wayne’s Best – My Blog

THE BIG PICTURE

 3 Godfathers is a touching story of redemption, highlighting the capacity for even troubled characters to change. The film uses deliberately slow pacing to emphasize character development and showcase stunning natural environments. Christmas is an important part of 3 Godfathers, but the film’s positive message about humanity and forgiveness resonates beyond religious beliefs.

Few partnerships in cinematic history are quite as successful as John Wayne and writer/director John Ford. Ever since their first collaboration on the breakthrough 1939 adventure film Stagecoach, Wayne and Ford have told innovative stories about the American experience that revolutionized the Western genre. While Wayne starred in many Western classics, his work with Ford often embraced the darker side of the genre; 1956’s The Searchers featured one of cinema’s definitive anti-heroes, and 1962’s The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance examined the rise of political tension at the tail end of the Western era. Despite the gravity of many of their best collaborations, Wayne and Ford were also able to take a lighter approach to the genre. This is best evidenced by their delightful 1948 western 3 Godfathers, a Christmas-themed adventure movie that drew from Biblical passages. While on the surface it looked like a typical crowd pleaser, 3 Godfathers used its Christmas themes to tell a positive story of redemption.
3 Godfathers Film Poster
3 GodfathersThree outlaws on the run risk their freedom and their lives to return a newborn to civilization.
Release DateJanuary 13, 1949DirectorJohn FordCastJohn Wayne , Pedro Armendáriz , Ward Bond , Mae MarshRuntime106 minutesGenresDrama , Western
‘3 Godfathers’ Is a Touching Story of Redemption3 Godfathers follows the cattle raiders Bob Hightower (Wayne), Pete (Pedro Armendáriz), and William “The Abilene Kid” Kearney (Harry Carrey Jr.), who rob a bank in the wholesome town of Welcome, Arizona. Ford intentionally starts the film like a typical Western and uses the opening sequence to examine the characters’ morality. Welcome is virtually undisturbed by violence, and is decorated with eloquent festive decorations. While the heist sequence itself doesn’t cause any significant damage and leaves no casualties, it’s enough to disrupt the fragile peace. Depicting Bob, Pete, and William as troublemakers that damaged a community gives them the capacity for redemption. Although many of Wayne’s leading roles were as nearly flawless heroes, 3 Godfathers forced him to play a character of a more checkered morality.
While the heist sequence is an exciting way to start the film, the inciting incident comes shortly thereafter when the three bandits become trapped in a brutal sandstorm and discover a covered wagon that has been damaged by the weather. Within the wagon is a pregnant woman (Mildred Natwick) who is dying; despite their best efforts, Bob, Pete, and the Kid are only able to save the child. Her dying wish is for the three men to protect the boy and bring him to safety. While the prospect of three quirky outlaws trying to bring an infant to safety seems rather silly compared to Wayne and Fords’ other collaborations, the film shows that the child’s innocence is at stake. Collateral damage has never been a concern for Bob before, but seeing an innocent infant in danger forces him to reconsider his life’s work.While the woman’s death and childbirth are treated with gravity, 3 Godfather is a more humorous film compared to Ford’s other westerns. Wayne is often not given credit for his talents as a comedic actor, as he wouldn’t star in the western comedy McLintock! for another decade. Watching Bob, Pete, and William attempt to bathe, feed, and entertain the baby is immensely entertaining, as it’s clear that none of them have ever seriously considered fatherhood. Their lives as bandits are so exciting that the prospect of “settling down” never felt like a possibility. Although watching over the child initially seems like a burden, all three men discover that empathy has its own rewards.
John Ford sits with a pipe in front of a train in a custom image for The Iron Horse (1924)
‘3 Godfathers’ Uses Deliberately Slow Pacing
Ford is a favorite filmmaker of directors like Steven Spielberg because of the deceptive simplicity of his stories. 3 Godfathers is relatively light on action, saving the majority of its set pieces for the opening and closing moments. While the lack of forward momentum could have been a determinant of the film’s pacing, the straightforward story allows 3 Godfathers to put a greater focus on its characters. It’s entertaining to see how Bob, Pete, and William each draw from their own experiences as they figure out what they must do to ensure the infant’s help. While their disagreements over the best parenting practices (including one particularly amusing argument over when to bathe the child) occasionally spark arguments, the characters are never aggressive and cruel to each other. The positive depiction of masculinity has made 3 Godfathers age very well in comparison to other Westerns from the classic era.
The gradual pacing also allows Ford to focus on the gorgeous natural environments. A recurring hallmark within Wayne and Fords’ collaborations is their grand scope, and 3 Godfathers uses its vivid cinematography to show the characters’ changing perspective. Bob, Pete, and William are only able to take note of the landscape’s natural beauty after they are forced to slow their pace to keep the infant safe; by moving at a slower rate, they finally recognize the natural beauty that has been in front of them the whole time. However, the gradual nature of their quest also exposes the characters to greater danger. While initially, the open Arizona desert feels exciting, the brutal weather constraints ultimately make their mission more strenuous. This is a piece of clever thematic storytelling on Ford’s part; he can suggest that the hectic lives that these men had been leading were unsustainable.Christmas Is an Important Part of ‘3 Godfathers’
colorized still of John Wayne as Robert Hightower, Harry Carey Jr. as William Kearney holding a swaddled infant and Pedro Armendáriz as Pedro Roca Fuerte standing next to each other in a desert in 3 Godfathers (1948)Image via MGM
3 Godfathers serves as a loose retelling of the Biblical story of the Three Wise Men and Jesus of Nazareth; Bob even quotes specific lines from scripture during the bandits’ first encounter with the dying mother, and the characters head for a town literally named “New Jerusalem.” While some faith-based movies risk being impenetrable to a non-Christian audience, the film doesn’t require knowledge of its religious allusions to be entertaining. If the references to Biblical verse are ignored, 3 Godfathers still works as an entertaining adventure story. The themes of kinship, humanity, and forgiveness are universal, and not exclusively bound to Christian beliefs.With its open-hearted characters and tactful humor, 3 Godfather proves that sentimentality isn’t a bad thing. The film has a positive message about the inner goodness within everyone, and how even the most unlikely of characters can become heroes. While the Western themes make 3 Godfather perfectly suited for fans of Wayne’s filmography, it’s the film’s faith in humanity that makes it a Christmas classic.
3 Godfathers is available to rent or purchase on Apple TV.

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Best Western Movie of Each Decade – My Blog

The Western genre has evolved greatly through its more than a hundred years of existence. From silent tales of honor and dignity, through the iconic look of John Ford and the coolness of Clint Eastwood, all the way to the deconstruction of the genre, each decade has had its share of the genre. The first years of the 20th century saw the Western become part of Hollywood’s agenda, and from the ’40s to the early ’60s, the genre reached its “golden age.”



From the ’60s onward, a much-needed reinvention of ideas and conventions found the genre-shifting toward the present. A new generation of filmmakers gave Westerns their own twist, eventually spawning a variety of subgenres that have been explored all the way into the present. Contemporary works like The Keeping Room, Power of the Dog, or The Rider, where a female-led cast or non-traditional masculinity is at the forefront of the movie, respectively, show just how exciting and diverse the genre has become.

With a rich past, an exciting present, and a bright future, Westerns are more alive than ever. These are the best of each decade, ever since the dawn of the twentieth century.Updated January 14, 2024: This article has been updated with additional Westerns from the current decade, along with where to stream them.The Great Train Robbery (1903)
The Great Train RobberyEdison Studios
One of the first-ever Westerns was made when the myth of the Old West wasn’t even that ingrained into society. The stories and legends of the American Frontier still managed to find their way into the American public through word of mouth and pocket novels, and so it arrived all the way to the East Coast in the mind of film pioneer Edwin S. Porter. The 12-minute silent film conveyed the story of a group of outlaws who plan to rob a train in the southwest. The gang not only succeeds in taking off with the look but also terrorize the passengers on board.
The Great Train Robbery Is The True Pioneering WesternThe creator of over 250 films between 1901 and 1908, Edwin S. Porter, made this crisp short film a thrilling ride for its time. With breakneck pacing, innovative cinematography techniques, and enormous potential, The Great Train Robbery became even more iconic because of its final shot consisting of the lead bandit taking aim at the audience, bringing viewers into his world of thrill and danger. In a way, Porter’s creative storytelling laid the framework for structuring the narrative for a Western. Martin Scorsese paid homage nearly 90 years later, ending Goodfellas similarly. Stream on KanopyHell’s Hinges (1916)
Hell's HingesTriangle Film Corporation
Before Clint Eastwood, even before John Wayne, there was William S. Hart. This legend from cinema’s silent age was the first superstar of Westerns, who typically embodied characters who were honorable and morally incorruptible. In the one-hour film Hell’s Hinges, he plays a dangerous gunman named Blaze Tracy, who is commissioned by the local bartender and his accomplices to run out of town a recently-arrived priest and his sister. In turn, he is won by their sincerity and stands in their defense.
Tortured Gunslinger And His Silent RedemptionDirected by Charles Swickard, Hell’s Hinges came into movies just when the Western genre had begun to bloom. With Hart playing the intense anti-hero and bringing his Shakespearean to every scene, it was impossible for the film not to stand out. His conflicted knack for justice fuels every pulse-pounding cinematic shootout. While the drama and suspense were heavy and artistic enough, the complex character study hooked audiences. Hell’s Hinges proved that Westerns could also be a sophisticated form of entertainment. Stream on The Roku ChannelTumbleweeds (1925)
TumbleweedsUnited Artists
Speaking of William S. Hart, the old master continued with this underrated 1925 film, which was also his last. Self-financed, produced by and starring him, Tumbleweeds depicts the Cherokee Strip land rush of 1893. The movie sees his character, Don Carver, lighting up for one last adventure. This time however, he simply wanted to buy some land and settle down with Molly Lassiter, whom he fell in love with at first sight. Marked by warmth and wisdom, the movie celebrated Hart’s indelible impact on turning westerns into vehicles for storytelling.
Tumbleweeds Is An Iconic Cowboy’s Final RideIn 1939, Tumbleweeds was revived by Astor Pictures and enjoyed another theatrical run. The film now began with an eight-minute monologue by William S. Hart in which he reflected on the Old West and his heyday. This was the only time audiences ever heard his voice, which is much more moving when put in the context that Tumbleweeds was his last ever film. By the mid-’20s, however, audiences were no longer interested in Hart’s brand of westerns, for which he was subsequently dropped by Paramount. Despite its critical praise, the film performed mildly at the box office and has been largely forgotten, which is a huge shame. Stream on Fubo TVStagecoach (1939)Despite being director John Ford’s first Western in over a decade, Stagecoach is to this day one of the most important Westerns ever made. It redefined the genre by being more than what it promises. Its profound narrative is really an allegory for the formation of The United States. The plot follows a group of people traveling on a stagecoach as they learn from one another through the journey and its perils. Being locked in a tense and claustrophobic environment really sets the stage for massive character studies. One of John Ford and John Wayne’s most enduring classics provides fantastic insight into social classes, prejudice, and change.
The Timeless Appeal of Ford-Wayne CollaborationStagecoach is a must-watch for any enthusiast of the Western genre because of its ability to keep creeping forward toward a greater sense of understanding. Ford sharpens his genius for layered narratives and riveting action set pieces to comment on a society that is ever-evolving. As for John Wayne, the actor comes into his own alongside veterans like Thomas Mitchell, Claire Trevor, John Carradine, and more. From the landscape to the sparse dialogue, the film is simply an hour-and-a-half-long masterpiece of the genre. Stream on Prime VideoMy Darling Clementine (1946)My Darling Clementine is one of the few times when John Ford and Henry Fonda came together to create an enduring classic. The film, which follows the legendary Western character Wyatt Earp and his brothers, is a beautifully romantic revenge story. Arriving at the town of Tombstone for a night of rest, Earp wakes up and discovers that one of his brothers has died and their cattle are stolen. Despite the urgency of the plot, the Western remains unique in the legendary director’s filmography for its patient pacing and tone. It’s a quiet masterpiece that often gets overlooked compared to the many that Ford has made.Why My Darling Clementine Is A Cultural TouchstoneFew director-actor combos were as successful as John Ford and John Wayne. However, people often forget they had other classics aside from their Westerns, and people often forget, as well, that Ford was just as brilliant in his works as Henry Fonda. In the 1946 film, the director found boundary-pushing heights by unlocking a softer side to the genre. Its subtle and soulful amalgamation of romance, violence, and justice in the untamed West reminds you of the tenderness that lies beneath the rough. Fonda, as usual, imbues his character with both immense grit and vulnerability. Rent on Apple TVThe Searchers (1956)The Searchers find Ford and Wayne at the top of their capacities, creating a morally ambiguous Western whose influence is felt up to this very day. It concerns a Civil War veteran who, for years, searches for his abducted niece while being accompanied by his adopted nephew. For its underlying narratives tackling race relations, prejudice, and moral dilemmas, and its iconic use of the audiovisual language specific to the medium of film marked a before and after in not only Westerns but in cinema itself.
The Frontier’s Edge Has Never Been More GloriousAs long as there have been Academy Awards, there have been major snubs. The 29th edition of the Oscars left out, without a single nomination, one of the most lauded and influential motion pictures in film history. Only later has its impact been recognized, with the American Film Institute naming the film as “greatest American Western.” Like few other films before or since The Searchers radically changed the game by showcasing America’s darkest aspects. From the identity crises to shifting social sands, its bleak interpretation of what’s to come in the future poses more questions and concerns than answers and comfort. Rent on Apple TVOnce Upon a Time in the West (1968)As times and film changed, the 1960s saw an exhaustion of the traditional formula of Westerns. A new way of using the genre came to be through the brilliant mind of Sergio Leone. His reinvention of the genre came to be known as “spaghetti westerns” and was very different from your traditional tales of the Old West. Once Upon a Time in the West follows the story of a mysterious harmonica-playing gunslinger who becomes the only person to protect Jill McBain’s life and newly inherited land from bandits scheming to seize it from her.
Leone’s Slow-Paced Western Is A Blessing To CinemaLeone’s ‘Dollars Trilogy’ with Clint Eastwood began to cement his legacy, and by 1968, he created the definite western of the ’60s. Framed against the epic scope of America’s Western expansion, its surprising plot twists and intricate details make the film high art. Once Upon a Time in the West is an all-star affair featuring Henry Fonda unusually cast as a villain and a magnificent story made with the help of, surprisingly, Dario Argento and Bernardo Bertolucci. With Ennio Morricone’s humble score pulsing through like a heartbeat, the film is an homage to the genre as well as a step forward in it and has some of the best performances in any Western film. Rent on Apple TV
McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)
Described by director Robert Altman himself as an “anti-western,” McCabe and Mrs. Miller is a profoundly original and modern take on the genre. Witty, funny, romantic, and heartbreaking, the film is part of Altman’s great run in the early ’70s and uses the West as an excuse to talk about America itself. Set in the 19th-century Pacific Northwest, the plot follows a gambler and a prostitute who fall in love and do business together. Their initial success, though, is fatally doomed.How McCabe & Mrs. Miller Subverts Clichés Within The GenreAltman strips all conventions bare here. He recasts the West as an anti-romantic fairy tale and gives us a moldy and muddy picture of the frontier village. The period setting and the epic production value make even its bleakest aspects seem realistic and accurate. Warren Beatty and Julie Christie’s soulful leads are so fascinating that you cannot help but root for them to end up together. That said, the film’s iconic approach, landmark setting of snowy Vancouver, and a deeply depressing score by Leonard Cohen set it apart from any other Western ever made. Rent on Apple TVHeaven’s Gate (1980)Directed by Michael Cimino, Heaven’s Gate tells the story of County Sheriff James Averill, who is tasked with protecting immigrants in 19th-century Wyoming. But as change progresses and political tensions between the two parties rise, he finds himself embroiled in a game of betrayal and violence. Nate Champion, the man appointed by Averill to keep the stockmen in check, commits a crime and ends up in a feud with the Marshalls. The film follows a dispute between poor immigrants, wealthy cattle farmers, and the woman they love.Heaven’s Gate Was Too Ahead Of Its TimeAt its time, Heaven’s Gate was a commercial and critical flop, which is what happens when an epic film soars too close to the sun. Today, it’s seen as one of the most misunderstood films ever, and a masterpiece in its own right. The infamous production, which had numerous setbacks, influenced critics way before the film was in theaters and is said to have helped destroy the auteur approach of New Hollywood that had developed in the ’60s and ’70s. The new director’s cut of the film gave Heaven’s Gate a new place in history, and rightfully so; it proves to be arguably the most imaginative and accomplished western of its decade. Stream on Prime VideoUnforgiven (1992)
Unforgiven (1992)
Unforgiven (1992)
Release Date August 7, 1992Director Clint EastwoodCast Clint Eastwood , Gene Hackman , Morgan Freeman , Richard Harris , Jaimz WoolvettRating RMain Genre Western
Charting off into the ‘90s, we have Unforgiven. The film is directed by Clint Eastwood, who also stars in it. Fun fact: Eastwood had been offered the Unforgiven script since the early ’80s but held onto it for a decade until he felt he was old enough to play the lead. He plays William Munny, a former gunslinger and aging outlaw who gave up on his life of violence and remorseless killing after marriage and turned to fighting instead. He takes one last job to earn money for his family and is soon embroiled in a sadistic showdown.Unforgiven Is The Story Of A Man With A Regrettable PastThe ‘90s were a golden period in Eastwood’s magnificent life when he allowed themes of the Old West to meet their twilight. The result was patient, morally complex, and mature Western films that marked Eastwood’s long relationship with the genre. Along with notable stars like Gene Hackman, Richard Harris, and Morgan Freeman, he crafted an achingly beautiful portrait of the toll violence takes on human life. His poised direction and acting are a poetic declaration of the genre’s influence on him and vice versa. Unforgiven still remains a touchstone of the genre, and the idea of an old retired gunslinger has been the basis for many popular stories, including Logan. Rent on Apple TVNo Country For Old Men (2007)
No Country for Old Men
No Country for Old Men
Release Date November 8, 2007Director Ethan Coen , Joel CoenCast Tommy Lee Jones , Javier Bardem , Josh Brolin , Woody Harrelson , Kelly Macdonald , Garret DillahuntRating RMain Genre Crime
The Coen Brothers have often played around the Western genre, from the sounds of The Big Lebowski to their remake of True Grit in 2010, but their definitive take on the genre is their 20007 film, No Country For Old Men. This Academy Award-winning masterpiece is led by career-defining performances from Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and Tommy Lee Jones. The movie is a dark story about the death of the old West and the birth of a much darker new one; it follows the lives of various characters as one of them comes upon a bag full of drug money, a catalyst for the madness that follows.No Country For Old Men Is A Neo-Western That Flows Like PoetryThe film is based on Cormac McCarthy’s novel of the same name, the narrative inhabiting the essence of Western conventions yet steering away from them in a fascinating way. Javier Bardem is malicious as Anton Chugar, playing an ever-changing game with Josh Brolin’s Moss. The movie is set against the backdrop of harsh landscapes, which makes for a complex and haunting mood. For its grim and unforgiving portrayal of modern border life, it surely is one of the most realistic modern Westerns and helped kick off a new-wave of Neo-Westerns for films like Hell or High Water, Logan, and Wind River. Stream on ShowtimeThe Rider (2017)Westerns’ ongoing deconstruction is partly thanks to the diversity of filmmakers tackling it. This has allowed for cinematic joy that is The Rider to exist. This ultra-low-budget project follows Brady Blackburn, a once-promising rodeo star, as he adapts to his life as a horse trainer after his skull gets crushed and he is unable to return to riding. Directed by Chloe Zhao, who would later win an Academy Award for Best Director for Nomadland and get a big studio film with Marvel’s Eternals, the film is a gorgeous journey of acceptance. The Rider presents a very different approach to masculinity than the one traditionally found in Westerns.Why The Rider Is A Tragic And Unconventional MasterpieceOne of the most poignant Westerns to date, The Rider creates a raw and intimate portrait of a man’s identity and his progress as he heals from a jarring life event. The film is led by non-professional actors, with breakout star Brady Jandreau delivering a grounded and graceful performance as the male lead. Sparse in dialogue, rich in experience, and driven by emotion, the movie is a contemporary classic that makes the Western genre more accessible to the new generation. It helped define Zhao as one of the best directors working today and alongside the release of Wind River and Logan that same year, 2017 was a great year for Westerns. Rent on Apple TVKillers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Killers of the Flower Moon
Killers of the Flower Moon
Release Date October 20, 2023Director Martin ScorseseCast Leonardo DiCaprio , Robert De Niro , Lily Gladstone , Jesse Plemons , John Lithgow , Brendan FraserRating RMain Genre Drama
Quietly examining America’s relationship with those people who turned it into the nation it is today, Killers of the Flower Moon is director Martin Scorsese’s latest epic. It adapts David Grann’s non-fiction book and depicts the true story of the Osage Indian murders in 1920s Oklahoma. The Osage people had become rich after oil was discovered beneath their land, but the darkness only cast upon their lives when Ernest Burkhart returned from World War I and married Mollie Kyle, an Osage woman with headlights, to get close to her family’s money.Emotional, Brutal, and MagnificentRobert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Lily Gladstone lead a talented ensemble of layered and complex characters. Scorsese channels the same visionary storytelling he’s known for to shed light not only on a forgotten piece of American history and deconstruct the Western genre but also highlight the plight of the Native American people, a community often villanized in early Westerns like The Searchers and Stagecoach. Killers of the Flower Moon paints a horrific portrait of an unsettling time when criminal acts of injustice were shaping the country. From its attention to factual details to the pulsating score, this thought-provoking epic is destined to join the ranks of the most impactful films in the Western genre. Stream on Apple TV

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The “pansy” role that “embarrassed” John Wayne – My Blog

While the likes of True Grit, The Searchers and Rio Bravo saw Wayne deliver his highly masculine take on the acting profession, smoking and fighting his way through scenes early in his career, he also had to take on some projects in order to get his career up off the ground in heading for stardom.Following the box office failure of The Big Trail, Wayne had to star in a number of B-movies throughout the 1930s until he starred in John Ford’s Stagecoach. One such instance came in 1933 with the pre-Code western musical film Riders of Destiny, in which he starred as the second iteration of the singing cowboy Singin’ Sandy Saunders.Ken Maynard had already portrayed Saunders in the 1929 film The Wagon Master, and while Wayne took on the role, it was not one that he would hold close to his heart for the remainder of his life. In fact, Wayne actually felt embarrassed over his performance, particularly because he did not want to be associated with singing characters that he perceived as weak.Writer Michael Munn wrote in John Wayne: The Man Behind the Myth, “He started at Lone Star as Singin’ Sandy Saunders, the singing cowboy, in Riders of Destiny. It was something that would haunt Wayne for the rest of his life as the subject of his singing would often be brought up.”“I was just so fucking embarrassed by it all,” Wayne once said of his performance as the singing cowboy. “Strumming a guitar I couldn’t play and miming to a voice which was provided by a real singer made me feel like a fucking pansy. After that experience, I refused to be Singin’ Sandy again.”It’s clear that Wayne’s singing voice as Singin’ Sandy Saunders in Riders of Destiny was not anything like his actual speaking voice; that’s because it was provided by Bill Bradbury, the son of the film’s director Robert N. Bradbury. Still, the film’s reception led fans of Wayne to ask him to sing, a request that he simply refused each time.Check out the full version of Riders of Destiny below.

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