Mel Brooks' comic saga of cowboys and imbeciles.

Starring: Clevon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens, David Huddleston, Harvey Korman, Madeline Kahn, Mel Brooks, Alex Karras, Claude E. Starrett Jr., Carol Arthur

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Where the white women at?" - Sheriff Bart

Why watch this? ... because this hilarious comedy could not be made today.

Plot Summary: In order to drive away the townspeople of Rock Ridge and acquire their land, a corrupt politician appoints a Black man, Bart, as their new sheriff, expecting him to be run out of town. However, the new sheriff, aided by a skilled but troubled gunslinger, The Waco Kid, defies expectations and rallies the reluctant citizens to defend their home. Together, they face down a variety of absurd and dangerous obstacles, ultimately exposing the villain's scheme.

Dad's Preview: How do you talk about racism in 1974 - make a comedy about it, of course! Then you set it in the most racist chapter of American history - the Old West. Thank you Mel Brooks. Oh, it's funny, like off the charts funny. It also would never have happened this way in real life. That absurdity makes the whole thing even more humorous. The white townsfolk serve as the film's "comic relief", turning the typical Western trope on its head. Little and Wilder are wisely allowed to steal the show. Madeline Kahn is at her loveable, sleazy best. Warning - the "N" word is used a lot.

Crossbow Productions; Warner Bros.

Paramount brings back Harold Bell Wright's beloved drama of the human heart

Starring: John Wayne, Betty Field, Harry Carey Sr., Ward Bond, Beulah Bondi, James Barton, Marjorie Main, John Qualen

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I got too big for my britches. I ain't an orphan no more." – Matt Matthews

Why watch this? It's about a father who deserted his wife and son. What is created in the wake of that event?

Plot Summary: An Ozark Mountains moonshiner, Matt harbors deep hatred for his unknown father, believing he abandoned his mother. This bitterness fuels animosity within the local community until a mysterious stranger, Daniel Howitt, arrives and begins to exert a gentle, positive influence on the mountain people, encouraging them to shed their hostility. Matt, however, remains wary of Howitt, because he has expressed a desire to purchase the homeplace.

Dad's Preview: This beautiful film (set in the back-country Ozarks) came early in Wayne's career, and does not follow the standard Western format using cattle drives and gunfights. The plot deals with a young man whose father mysteriously vanished years ago. From my personal experience, I can relate; that's why this movie always impacts me emotionally. It focuses on broken relationships, long-held superstitious traditions and a young man's promise to kill the man who destroyed his family. Wayne often cited fellow Western actor Harry Carey Sr. as his mentor. Duke said Harry taught him how to deliver lines in a more natural way by slowing down and using pauses for affect. Here we get to see them on screen together, and you can just feel the respect between these two screen icons.

Paramount Pictures

Four strangers became friends. Four friends became heroes. On the road to... Silverado.

Starring: Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Rosanna Arquette, John Cleese, Kevin Costner, Brian Dennehy, Danny Glover, Jeff Goldblum, Linda Hunt

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Now, I don't wanna kill you, and you don't wanna be dead." - Mal Johnson

Why watch this? It is a fun-filled, all-star, modern homage to Western buddy films of old.

Plot Summary: Silverado tells the story of four unlikely companions who come together on their journey to the frontier town of Silverado. This group, each with their own past and motives, soon discovers the town is under the thumb of a corrupt sheriff and a ruthless rancher. With their lives and the town's future at stake, they must decide if they will unite and fight for justice.

Dad's Preview: There were only a few good oaters from the 1980's. This is one of the best. It's full of Western staples: gun fights, the cocky kid, greedy landowners, a stampede, a final quick-draw showdown. What helps this rise above the rest is Kasdan's superb direction, and our lead actors' performances. NOTE: My Texas cousin, Roy McAdams, a former bull-rider and Hollywood stuntman, is listed in the credits as the "Tall Outlaw". Atta boy, Roy!

Delphi III Productions; Columbia Pictures

Nobody, but "Nobody," knows the trouble he's in!

Starring: Terence Hill, Henry Fonda, Jean Martin, R. G. Armstrong, Leo Gordon, Geoffrey Lewis, Steve Kanaly, Karl Braun

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"You shine like the door of a whorehouse. A blind man could spot you ten miles off." – Jack Beauregard

Why watch this? The scene in the bar where Nobody is given shot after shot.

Plot Summary: Aging gunman Jack Beauregard desires to retire peacefully in Europe, but a mysterious younger gunfighter, who calls himself "Nobody", idolizes Beauregard and insists he must achieve legendary status before leaving the West. Nobody tries to persuade Beauregard into a final, epic confrontation against the fearsome Wild Bunch gang, hoping to immortalize him in history. As Beauregard seeks to avoid this fate, Nobody persistently follows him, demonstrating surprising skill and a determined plan to make his hero a legend.

Dad's Preview: This is one Italian Western that did not feature Clint Eastwood. The plot revolves around an aging gunfighter trying to retire, and a young gunfighter, called "Nobody", who insists that his hero must go out in a "blaze of glory". This has some of the best gun-skill tricks on film, all played in a very whimsical way; the film itself is almost a comedy. Regardless, it's fun to watch, especially due to a memorable Morricone soundtrack and the steady hand of the graceful Henry Fonda. There are two sequels, too.

Rafran Cinematografica, Les Filmes Jacques Leitienne, La Societe Im. Ex. Ci.
La Societe Alcinter, Rialto Fil Preben Philpsen; Titanus

The story of a boy suddenly alone in the world. The men who challenge him.
And the girl who helps him become a man.

Starring: Kirk Douglas, Tom Burlinson, Jack Thompson, Sigrid Thornton, Lorraine Bayly, Terrence Donovan, Tony Bonner

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"You've got to treat the mountains like a high-spirited horse; never take it for granted." - Jim Craig

Why watch this? The horsemanship used to make this film is amazing and a thing of beauty.

Plot Summary: Following the death of his father, young Jim Craig leaves his mountain home to work on a cattle ranch in the lowlands where he falls for the wealthy rancher's daughter. Treated poorly by the other ranch hands, Jim must prove his worth and integrity when he is wrongly accused of setting a valuable horse free. He joins a thrilling pursuit to recover the horse, hoping to clear his name and earn the right to the woman he loves, all against a backdrop of breathtaking Australian wilderness.

Dad's Preview: This Aussie-Western features the wonderful Kirk Douglas playing two roles: Tough landowner, Mr. Harrison, and his peg-legged brother known only as Scar. Also turning in fine performances are the two young lead actors (and the subjects of the film's romance), Tom Burlinson and Sigrid Thornton. This rich story follows a young man's tragedy, and his eventual journey to manhood. It's all set against the backdrop of rugged 1880's Australian mountain ranges, and the tough people who call it home. The scenery is breath-taking, as are the horses used in the film. I think it is one of the best modern Westerns to date.

Cambridge Productions, Edgley Int'l, Snowy River Investment Pty. Ltd.;
20th Century Fox

The brute in every man was also in him... And the love and the violence!

Starring: Charlton Heston, Joan Hackett, Donald Pleasence, Ben Johnson, Bruce Dern, Slim Pickens, Lee Majors, Anthony Zerbe

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Leave him be. Out here, by hisself, no goods, winter coming on. He's gonna be a long while dying. And all that time, he's gonna know who done it to him. Yes, sir, a mighty long time, and then he'll be dead." - Preacher Quint

Why watch this? ... what happens when a loner suddenly starts to care for others?

Plot Summary: Aging cowboy, Will Penny, accepts a job as a line rider on a vast ranch during a harsh winter. He discovers a stranded woman and her son have taken refuge in his assigned cabin. Though initially resistant, Will allows them to stay, leading to a blossoming romance and a newfound sense of family. However, a past confrontation with a vengeful outlaw family threatens their fragile happiness.

Dad's Preview: This was a very realistic Western for its time. Heston delivers a career-defining performance as reclusive ranch hand, Will Penny, who encounters a woman, Catherine, and her young son living his line shack miles into the wilderness. He's torn between duty to his employer, and the affection he develops for the woman and son. Then a group of cutthroats show up at the cabin. This small, intimate film intensifies when the gang takes Will hostage and threatens to rape Catherine.  

Paramount Pictures

They fought back to back...No quarter given...No quarter asked...No way in...No way out...of Rio Bravo

Starring: John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson, Walter Brennan, Ward Bond, John Russell, Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Well, they call it the "Degüello"... the cutthroat song. The Mexicans played it for those Texas boys when they had 'em bottled up in the Alamo." - Colorado

Why watch this? This is one of Wayne's best films.

Plot Summary: In the small town of Rio Bravo, Texas, Sheriff John T. Chance arrests Joe Burdette, the brother of a powerful rancher, for murder. The rancher, Nathan Burdette, then uses his resources to try and break his brother out of jail. Chance, with the help of a diverse and sometimes unlikely group of allies, must hold the jail against Burdette's forces until a U.S. Marshal can arrive.

Dad's Preview: John Wayne is sheriff John T. Chance. He locks up the arrogant son of a wealthy landowner. He and his two deputies decide to hole up in the jail and wait for the federal marshal. Overall, the film is superb. The surprise for me is the performance by Dean Martin, who plays the town drunk, and past deputy. The ever-dependable Walter Brennan is once again excellent as the Duke's crusty old sidekick. This time he's referred to as Stumpy.  

Armada Productions; Warner Bros.

Dietrich goes wild over Jimmie Stewart!

Starring: Marlene Dietrich, James Stewart, Brian Donlevy, Charles Winninger, Mischa Auer, Allen Jenkins, Warren Hymer

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"You shoot it out with 'em and for some reason or other, I don't know why, they get to look like heroes. But you put 'em behind bars and they look little and cheap, the way they oughta look." - Tom Destry Jr.

Why watch this? The chemistry between Stewart and the sassy Dietrich burns up the screen. 

Plot Summary: In the corrupt town of Bottleneck, saloon owner Kent has the sheriff killed and appoints the town drunk, Dimsdale, thinking he'll be easy to manipulate. Dimsdale surprises everyone by enlisting the help of Tom Destry Jr., the peace-loving son of a legendary lawman. Despite initial skepticism due to his non-violent approach, Destry sets out to bring order to Bottleneck, and tame it's wildest dancehall gal, Frenchy.

Dad's Preview: Wait, a Western where the new sheriff doesn't use a gun? Stewart portrays the son of a famous gunfighter. On his father's reputation, he's hired as sheriff of dusty Bottleneck. His job is to clean up the raucous town... but he doesn't carry a firearm. This is another of Stewart's roles where he takes a character and molds it to be his own. He's calm, collected and will do what it takes to tame the town. We just hope he survives in a place ruled by crooks, brutes and murderers.

Universal Pictures

In the tradition of Shane and High Noon, a new Western Classic is born! BITE THE BULLET

Starring: Gene Hackman, Candice Bergen, James Coburn, Ian Bannen, Jan-Michael Vincent, Ben Johnson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"When I cross the finish line, I get to be a big man. Top man. A man to remember." – Mister (the old cowboy)

Why watch this? ... it's an outstanding Western cross-country race.

Plot Summary: This oater centers around a grueling 700-mile endurance horse race held at the turn of the century. A diverse group of participants with varying motivations and personalities enters the race, including two former Rough Riders, a woman of questionable virtue, a gunfighter, and an aging cowboy. As the competition pushes them to their limits, their true characters are revealed.

Dad's Preview: There were tons of Westerns made in the 1970's. Leone was making "Spaghetti Westerns". John Wayne was was still going strong. Some were masterpieces, some were cow dung. This little-known gem surprised me. It's a grand adventure, a cross-country race on horseback, plagued by natural hazards and man-made obstacles. This is one exciting film. We are blessed to have two great stars, Hackman and Coburn, both "men of action" who seek the $2,000 prize.

Persky-Bright Productions, Vista; Columbia Pictures

the story of a man who was too proud to run!

Starring: Gary Cooper, Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado, Grace Kelly, Otto Kruger, Lon Chaney Jr., Henry Morgan

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"You risk your skin catching killers and the juries turn them loose so they can come back and shoot at you again. If you're honest you're poor your whole life and in the end you wind up dying all alone on some dirty street." - Martin

Why watch this? Watching Cooper act is like butter melting on a piece of toast.

Plot Summary: On the day of his wedding and retirement, Marshal Will Kane learns that Frank Miller, an outlaw he sent to prison, has been released and is returning on the noon train for revenge. Despite his new wife's urging to leave, Kane feels a duty to stay and confront the threat, but finds the townspeople, including his deputies and friends, unwilling to help him. As the clock ticks towards the inevitable showdown, Kane must grapple with the decision to face Miller and his gang alone or abandon the town that has abandoned him.

Dad's Preview: It had all the ear marks of a standard Western drama: a sheriff has to stand against outlaws, backed by his deputies and concerned citizens. Except that is not what happens. This sheriff is forced to really stand alone. His friends and deputies quit, one by one. Even his fiancé leaves him. Yet this lawman, portrayed by the great Gary Cooper, knows he has to stay - this is his job, and a man does his job. This simple plot element makes this Western classic unique and feel more real.

Stanley Kramer Productions; United Artists

There were three men in her life. One to take her... one to love her... and one to kill her.

Starring: Claudia Cardinale, Henry Fonda, Jason Robarbs, Charles Bronson, Woody Strode, Cabriele Ferzetti, Jack Elam

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"He's whittlin' on a piece of wood. I've got a feeling when he stops whittlin'... Somethin's gonna happen." - Cheyenne

Why watch this? This Leone Western is as good as they get.

Plot Summary: Jill McBain, a former prostitute turned landowner, arrives in the frontier town of Flagstone only to find her new husband and his children murdered. A ruthless assassin, Frank, working for railroad baron Morton, is responsible for the murders and has framed the bandit Cheyenne. A mysterious man, known only as Harmonica, also arrives seeking revenge against Frank. Jill, Cheyenne, and Harmonica form an uneasy alliance as they attempt to hold onto the valuable land that Morton wants for his railroad.

Dad's Preview: Sergio Leone directed many spaghetti Westerns, but this is by far his magnum opus. There are many Western themes present, but the line between good guys and bad guys is blurred enough to really make it interesting. The film is large and epic, and Charles Bronson is wonderful as the "harmonica player". The Morricone soundtrack is top notch, even by his standards.

Euro Int'l Films, Rafran Cinematografica, Finanzia San Marco; Paramount Pictures

... an army of one.

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Chief Dan George, Sondra Locke, Bill McKinney, John Vernon, Sam Bottoms

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"You gonna pull them pistols or just whistle Dixie?" -  Josey Wales

Why watch this? Star/Director Eastwood hits his stride with this memorable Western.

Plot Summary: A Missouri farmer's family is murdered by pro-Union militants during the Civil War. Driven by a desire for vengeance, he joins a Confederate guerrilla band, becoming a feared gunfighter. After the war, he refuses to surrender and becomes an outlaw pursued by bounty hunters and soldiers. He must navigate the treacherous landscape of the post-Civil War West, encountering allies and enemies as he seeks to survive and find a new path for his life.

Dad's Preview: In a performance chock full of iconic quotes, Clint Eastwood created one of the great Westerns, and characters, of all time. Wales is a man driven by revenge, but also justice, as he hunts the men responsible for murdering his wife and son. It is set immediately after the Civil war when gangs of ex-Union soldiers roamed the West using their power, and the lack of valid law enforcement, to murder and pillage. The scene where Wales parlays with Chief Ten Bears is one of my all-time favorites.

The Malpaso Company; Warner Bros.

Heat of the plains in his veins... the gunfighter's stain on his name, and now a woman's life in his hands!

Starring: John Wayne, Geraldine Page, Ward Bond, Michael Pate, James Arness, Leo Gordon, Lassie

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"You baked today. I can smell fresh bread on you. You smell all over like soap. You took a bath, and on top of that you smell all over like a woman. I could find you in the dark, Mrs. Lowe, and I'm only part Indian." - Hondo Lane

Why watch this? This was John Wayne's favorite Western novel and film. Mine, too.

Plot Summary: Set in Apache territory, cavalry dispatch rider Hondo Lane encounters Angie Lowe, a courageous woman raising her young son alone on an isolated ranch. He tries to convince her to abandon the dangerous area, but she insists on staying. A complex dynamic develops between Hondo, Angie, and the Apaches as tensions rise on the frontier.

Dad's Preview: John Wayne had a special place in his heart for this treasure. His estate kept the film out of public distribution for many years after the Duke's death in 1972. In 1990, I was working in California for EDS. It was announced that a local cable TV channel was going to air Hondo - in 3D! Special 3-D glasses were available at the station! It is so easy to watch. Wayne's so very comfortable as the independent, quiet, honorable man-of-action. Here he comes across a woman and her young son, living in Indian territory, and her husband hasn't been home for some time.

Batjac Productions, Wayne-Fellows Productions; Warner Bros.

It's a hell of a thing, killing a man

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris, Jaimz Woolvett, Saul Rubinek, Frances Fisher

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"It's a hell of a thing, killin' a man. You take away all he's got, and all he's ever gonna have." - William Munny

Why watch this? This is Eastwood's masterpiece, a testament to a lifetime in the film business.

Plot Summary: Set in the late 1800s, this Western follows William Munny, a retired, once-feared gunslinger turned struggling hog farmer. When news of a bounty for the killing of two cowboys who disfigured a prostitute reaches him, Munny, needing money for his children, reluctantly takes on the job. He teams up with his old partner Ned Logan and a young, aspiring gunfighter known as the Schofield Kid to confront the harsh realities of violence and the changing West, blurring the lines between hero and villain.

Dad's Preview: This gem is the culmination two key factors: Eastwood's vast experience and clout in directing, and a tonal shift in Westerns to be more realistic. An aging widower (and ex-gunman) has no choice but to perform one last dirty job to get badly needed money to support his kids. However, when pushed too hard, his old ways resurface. Eastwood and Freeman are superb, but Gene Hackman's performance, as the notorious sheriff Little Bill, steals every scene. It's brutal and real and worth your time.

Malpaso Productions; Warner Bros.

Justice is Coming

Starring: Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Michael Biehn, Powers Boothe, Dana Delany, Sam Elliott, Charlton Heston, Stephen Lang, Thomas Haden Church

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Make no mistake, it's not revenge he's after... it's the reckoning." - Doc Holliday, speaking about Wyatt Earp

Why watch this? ... Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday. It's one of the great modern performances ever, with memorable quotes galore.

Plot Summary: Former lawman Wyatt Earp, seeking a peaceful life, moves to the booming town of Tombstone, Arizona, with his brothers. Already there is his ailing friend Doc Holliday. Their aspirations for a quiet existence and profitable business ventures are disrupted by the menacing presence of the Cowboys, a ruthless outlaw gang led by Curly Bill. As tensions between the Earps and the Cowboys escalate, an unavoidable confrontation looms, forcing the brothers to take a stand.

Dad's Preview: Of the two Wyatt Earp films in 1993-94, this is by far the best. Here the focus is less on historical accuracy, and more on making a good Western. The story hinges on the relationship between Earp and Doc Holliday. Their friendship is a rock. The OK Corral gunfight is not the film's climax, but rather the start of a mission to rid the country of the murderous group of thugs calling themselves the "Cowboys". This film takes the time to build its characters, both main and secondary. And that's your huckleberry.

Hollywood Pictures, Cinergi Pictures; Buena Vista Pictures Dist.

The strangest trio ever to track a killer.

Starring: John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glenn Campbell, Robert Duvall, Jeremy Slate, Dennis Hopper, Strother Martin, Jeff Corey, John Fieldler

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #41 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of True Grit

"They say he has grit. I wanted a man with grit." - Mattie Ross

Why watch this? For his role as Rooster Cogburn, the Academy finally delivered Best Actor to John Wayne.

Plot Summary: A determined teenager, Mattie Ross, hires a gruff, one-eyed U.S. Marshal named Rooster Cogburn to track down Tom Chaney, the outlaw responsible for her father's murder. They are joined by a Texas Ranger, La Boeuf, also pursuing Chaney for a separate crime. Despite the Marshal's initial reluctance to allow Mattie on their dangerous journey into Indian Territory, her tenacity and courage earn her a place alongside the two lawmen

Dad's Preview: Wayne was in movies all his life, mostly Westerns. He finally won the Best Actor statuette for his role as the cantankerous, one-eyed, bounty hunter Rooster Cogburn. In the film, young Mattie Ross sets to avenging the death of her father. She hires Cogburn because he "has grit". A Texas Ranger joins in and they head into Indian Territory to find the wanted man. This wonderful film, at Wayne's high point, is engrossing, fun, and at times more violent than Wayne's previous oaters. There are many iconic film moments.

Hal B. Wallis; Paramount Pictures

No place to run. No reason to hide.

Starring: Robert Duvall, Kevin Costner, Annette Benning, Michael Gambon, Michael Jeter, Diego Luna

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Men are gonna get killed here today, Sue, and I'm gonna kill 'em." - Charley Waite

Why watch this? ... the respect-filled relationship between cowhands Costner and Duvall.

Plot Summary: Boss Spearman and his cattle crew, as free-grazers, are driving their herd across the vast prairies of the Old West. When they encounter a town ruled by a corrupt rancher and sheriff, their peaceful existence is threatened. Forced to defend their values and way of life, Boss and his second-in-command, Charley Waite, find themselves drawn into an inevitable confrontation.

Dad's Preview: Costner (as actor and director) and Duvall deliver one of the best Westerns ever made. And I mean EVER! This film has breath-taking scenery, great action sequences (one of the best, and most realistic gun battles ever filmed), and many of the classic Western elements. That said, the film's true strength is its character-building. There are numerous, small interactions that acquaint us with Charley, Boss, Sue, and the rest. Costner should have taken home at least one Oscar for his efforts here.

Touchstone Pictures, Cobalt Media Group, Beacon Comm., Tig Productions;
Buena Vista Pictures Dist.

The Biggest, Roughest, Toughest ...and Most Beautiful Picture Ever Made!

Starring: John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond, Natalie Wood, John Qualen, Olive Carey, Henry Brandon, Ken Curtis, Harry Carey Jr.

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #8 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of The Searchers

"Seems like he never learns there's such a thing as a critter that'll just keep comin' on. So we'll find 'em in the end, I promise you. We'll find 'em. Just as sure as the turnin' of the earth." – Ethan Edwards, referring to the Indians who kidnapped Debbie

Why watch this? Basically to watch the greatest Western ever made.

Plot Summary: Confederate veteran Ethan Edwards has returned to his brother's Texas homestead only to find it raided by Comanches, his family massacred, and his niece Debbie abducted. Fueled by a complex mix of hatred and a desire for vengeance, Ethan embarks on a years-long search with Debbie's adopted brother, and half-breed, Martin.

Dad's Preview: This is by far the most complex character in John Wayne's long, storied career. Set in the stark, beautiful desert landscape of Monument Valley, famous director John Ford masterfully delivers this Western odyssey filled with danger, tragedy, and two lost men - determined to rescue a kidnapped family relative, young Debbie. After years of making movies together, Ford knew Wayne could create a compelling, conflicted character, and not just play himself. Throw in our history's racism towards Native Americans, and you've got a powerful film. The final scene forever belongs to cinematic history. Wayne deserved the Oscar for Best Actor, in my opinion.

C.V. Whitney Pictures; Warner Bros.

An Epic Film as Big as The West

Starring: Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Danny Glover, Diane Lane, Robert Urich, Frederic Forrest, D. B. Sweeney, Ricky Schroder, Anjelica Huston, Chris Cooper, Barry Corbin, William Sanderson, Steve Buscemi

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #4 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Lonesome Dove

"By god, it ain't dyin' I'm talkin' about, it's livin!" - Gus McCrae to Captain Woodrow Call

Why watch this? An American masterpiece that perfectly balances Western myth and Western realism.

Plot Summary: Two aging former Texas Rangers, Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call, now running a small cattle company near the Texas-Mexico border. Dissatisfied with their routine life, they embark on an ambitious cattle drive to establish a new ranch in the Montana territory, a land described as a cattleman's paradise.

Dad's Preview: This epic saga is unforgettable, with its wonderful characters, converging story lines and brutally honest plot points. Capt. Call is a hard, determined leader. He's kept in step by his more laid-back partner, Gus, whose warm smile reminds me of my grandfather, Charley Straley. Charley was a lifelong Texas rancher... humble, hard-working, intelligent, apolitical. He loved to joke, smoke his pipe and partake in an occasional sip o' whiskey down at the barn's tackroom. He and Gus would have been good buddies, for sure.

Motown Productions; CBS

Lt. John Dunbar is about to discover the frontier...within himself.

Starring: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney Grant, Floyd Red Crow Westerman, Tantoo Cardinal, Jimmy Herman

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #2 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Dances With Wolves

"I've never known a people so eager to laugh, so devoted to family, so dedicated to each other.  And, the only word that came to mind was harmony." - John Dunbar

Why watch this? This "Western" finally depicts Native Peoples with accuracy.

Plot Summary: This epic Western film, starring and directed by Kevin Costner, was adapted from Michael Blake's novel of the same name. It tells the story of a Union Army lieutenant who requests duty on the American frontier and develops a profound connection with a tribe of Sioux Indians. The film explores themes of cultural exchange, prejudice, and the conflict between expanding American civilization and Indigenous ways of life.

Dad's Preview: For five years Costner established himself as a leading man in such films as Silverado (1985) and Bull Durham (1988). Dances changed all that, by proving that he was a also a serious filmmaker. This beautiful work of frontier art strips away many previous notions of the American West as portrayed on film. A lone Northern soldier heads West. There he encounters Native Americans, namely a Lakota Sioux tribe. He learns that all the rumors about these people are false, and he embraces the relationship. However, in America, it's never that simple. The scenery is breath-taking, all set to an incredible musical score. This Oscar-winner is a glorious epic to behold. 

Tig Productions, Majestic Films Int.; Orion Pictures

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