(DML Top 20 Lists - Western Epic Films ranked)

Honorable Mention

The Wild Bunch (1969), Director: Sam Peckinpah, rated R for language, violence

Nine men who came too late and stayed too long...

Starring: William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan, Edmond O'Brien, Jaime Sánchez, Ben Johnson, Warren Oates, Emilio Fernández, Strother Martin, L.Q. Jones, Albert Dekker, Bo Hopkins, Alfonso Arau, Dub Taylor

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"We're gonna stick together, just like it used to be! When you side with a man, you stay with him! And if you can't do that, you're like some animal, you're finished! We're finished! All of us!" - Pike Bishop

Why watch this? Peckinpah's great ode to Western violence stands the test of time.

Plot Summary: Set in 1913, an aging group of outlaws attempt one last big score during a time when the traditional American West is fading. After a botched railroad office robbery, they flee to Mexico with bounty hunters on their trail, led by a gang member. In Mexico, they get involved with a rogue Mexican general while trading guns and ammo.

Dad's Preview: Two years after the shocking violence (well, not by today's standards) in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), this film hit screens. Critics were split, mostly due to the wanton violence and ruthless nature of the lead characters. What everyone, then and now, can agree upon is that the film is well-directed, the all-star cast's performances are career-defining, and the cinematography, a slow-motion ballet of savagery set in the angry Mexican landscape, is breathtaking. William Holden deserved an Oscar for his portrayal of Pike. These men depicted - killers, thieves, hired guns - have no concept of a normal life. They are past their prime. Yet, they live by the brutal outlaw code of the West: stick together to the bitter, and in this case bloody, end.

Touchstone Films, Silver Screen Partners II;
Buena Vista Distribution Company

Top 20 Western Epic Films #20 Top

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), Director: Sergio Leone, rated R for language and violence

For Three Men The Civil War Wasn't Hell. It Was Practice!

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef, Al Mulock, Aldo Giuffrè, Aldo Sambrell, Benito Stafanelli, Antonio Casale, Livio Lorenzon, Rada Rassimov, John Bartha, José Terrón, Lorenzo Robledo, Luigi Pistilli, Mario Brega

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig." - Blondie

Why watch this? Director Sergio Leone, and Clint Eastwood, hit the jackpot with this dirty, grimy Italian horse opera.

Plot Summary: During the American Civil War, three men, a cool mercenary "The Good", a greedy bandit "The Ugly", and a ruthless killer "The Bad", are in a race to find a hidden treasure of Confederate gold. They must navigate through the war-torn landscape, engaging in complex alliances and betrayals as they seek the fortune. This epic spaghetti western is renowned for its iconic characters, captivating storyline, and legendary score.

Dad's Preview: Yes, I know, many feel this is the best Western ever. Not me. I do like the film, but it's not even Leone's best effort, which is Once Upon a Time in the West (1966). It's not even Leone's best Eastwood film - that would be A Fistful of Dollars (1964). That said, this Spaghetti Western has a ton to offer. It's got gun battles, seedy characters, even a Civil War battle! Eastwood excels as himself, but the real spotlight goes to the incredible Eli Wallach, a Polish Jew who made a career playing slimy, Mexican bandits.

Produzioni Europee Associati, United Artists

Top 20 Western Epic Films #19 Top

The Cowboys (1972), Director: Mark Rydell, rated PG for violence, language

All they wanted was their chance to be men...and he gave it to them.

Starring: John Wayne, Roscoe Lee Brown, Bruce Dern, Colleen Dewhurst, Adolfo Martinez, Slim Pickens, Stephen Hudis

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I'm thirty years older than you are. I had my back broke once, and my hip twice. And on my worst day I could beat the hell out of you." – Wil Anderson

Why watch this? Wayne has never been better, as a man desperate to drive his cattle to market.

Plot Summary: Wil Andersen, a rancher needing help for his cattle drive, is forced to hire on a group of inexperienced schoolboys after his regular crew leaves for the gold rush. He trains these youngsters, who learn about life and the responsibilities of being a cowboy during their arduous journey. Their challenging drive is complicated by the presence of a gang of rustlers who are after their herd.

Dad's Preview: This is a superb non-standard Western. Wayne has to holster his pistols and become a surrogate father for the young boys he has hired for the trail drive. I'll forever love Roscoe Lee Brown as Mr. Nightlinger, the cook, who breathes real life into his role. And who will ever forget Bruce Dern as "Long Hair", the film's creepy, murderous antagonist. I love it when the Dukes tells the boys each early morning, "We're burnin' daylight!"

Mark Rydell; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Western Epic Films #18 Top

Bite the Bullet (1975), Director: Richard Brooks, rated PG

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

Top 20 Western Epic Films #17 Top

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949), Director: John Ford, rated Approved

Wayne's greatest role as an Indian fighting Captain!

Starring: John Wayne, Joanne Dru, John Agar, Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr., Victor McLaglen, Mildred Natwick, Arthur Shields, Chief John Big Tree

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Captain of the troop one day: every man's face turned towards you; lieutenants jump when I growl! Now, tomorrow, I'll be glad if a blacksmith asks me to shoe a horse." – Capt. Nathan Brittles

Why watch this? Wayne's performance, as a retiring cavalry captain, was Oscar-worthy.

Plot Summary: Nearing retirement, Cavalry Captain Nathan Brittles is tasked with one last mission: to prevent an impending Native American uprising and transport two women to safety. This final patrol takes them through dangerous territory.

Dad's Preview: This the second of three cavalry films by director John Ford, and it is by far the best. A soon-to-retire outpost commander receives one last mission: handle the latest Indian uprising. The movie is a wonderful, beautifully shot, action-filled Western. Wayne, as Captain Nathan Brittles, has experience enough to use peace, keep his soldiers safe, and solve the issue at hand. This is one of the Duke's finest acting efforts, playing a man much older than his age.

Argosy Pictures; RKO Radio Pictures

Top 20 Western Epic Films #16 Top

Quigley Down Under (1990), Director: Simon Wincer, rated PG-13 for Western violence

The West Was Never This Far West

Starring: Tom Selleck, Laura San Giacomo, Alan Rickman, Chris Haywood, Roger Ward, Ron Haddrick, Tony Bonner, Jerome Ehlers, Ben Mendelsohn

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Major. We already run the misfits outta our country. We sent 'em back to England." – Matthew Quigley

Why watch this? Selleck fits this role like a pair of old comfortable kangaroo-skin boots.

Plot Summary: Sharpshooter Matthew Quigley travels from America to Australia after being hired by a wealthy rancher named Elliot Marston. Quigley discovers Marston expects him to use his skills to eradicate the local Aboriginal population, a task the principled American refuses. After a clash with Marston, Quigley finds himself stranded in the harsh Australian outback alongside a troubled woman, and together they navigate the unforgiving wilderness.

Dad's Preview: Set in Australia, Quigley is a man not to be pushed around or betrayed. When he runs afoul with a wealthy land owner, he's beaten up and left for dead in the harsh outback, along with a slightly crazed saloon girl. I feel this is the best of Selleck's Western films. It's fun, beautifully shot, and "nice and dusty". Alan Rickman is once again superb as the villain - this time a greedy Aussie land-owner.

Pathé Entertainment; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Top 20 Western Epic Films #15 Top

Silverado (1985), Director: Lawrence Kasdan, rated PG-13 for Western violence

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 Prod.; Columbia Pictures

Top 20 Western Epic Films #14 Top

Tombstone (1993), Director: George P. Cosmatos, rated R for language, Western violence

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 (Costner's Wyatt Earp (1994) is the other), 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, a man seriously ailing from consumption (aka tuberculosis). Their friendship is rock solid. The OK Corral gunfight is not the film's climax, but rather the start of a mission eliminate a murderous gang of thugs calling themselves "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.

Top 20 Western Epic Films #13 Top

True Grit (1969), Director: Henry Hathaway, rated PG for Western violence

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

Top 20 Western Epic Films #12 Top

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), Director: George Roy Hill, rated PG

You never met a pair like Butch and The Kid.

Starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katharine Ross, Strother Martin, Jeff Corey, Henry Jones, George Furth, Cloris Leachman, Richard Kiel

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"It's your great ideas that got us into this mess. I never want to hear another one of your great ideas. Ever!" - Sundance Kid

Why watch this? It's really fun to see Newman and Redford having such a good time.

Plot Summary: Two notorious outlaws, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, rob banks and trains in the late 1800s American West. Facing relentless pursuit by a skilled posse, they flee with Sundance's girlfriend, Etta Place, to Bolivia seeking a fresh start. However, their attempts to escape their past lead to a series of humorous and action-packed events as they continue their criminal ways.

Dad's Preview: This film certainly stands out as different among Westerns of its time. Newman and Redford portray the famous real-life bank robbers, Butch and Sundance. The film's quip-filled dialog almost doesn't fit the era, but I can let that slide, as it helps the film flow. During the movie, we root for our anti-heroes to escape the law, get across the Mexican border, and make it to Bolivia. But even there, they still become wanted men. The lauded film won four Oscars.

Campanile Prod., Newman-Foreman Co.;
20th Century-Fox

Top 20 Western Epic Films #11 Top

Stagecoach (1939), Director: John Ford, rated Approved

One of the Most Thrilling Pictures Ever Filmed!

Starring: Claire Trevor, John Wayne, Andy Devine, John Carradine, Thomas Mitchell, Louise Platt, George Bancroft, Donald Meek, Tim Holt

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Well, there are some things a man just can't run away from." - The Ringo Kid

Why watch this? This is the first great Wayne-Ford collaboration.

Plot Summary: This oater follows a diverse group of passengers on a stagecoach journey through the dangerous American frontier in the 1880s. The characters, including an outlaw, a prostitute, a gambler, a drunk doctor, and a banker, are forced to confront their prejudices and vulnerabilities as they face the threat of a looming Apache attack. Their perilous journey tests their courage and reveals surprising truths about human nature.

Dad's Preview: This early John Ford Western featured a new actor, a young man named Marion Michael Morrison. His stage name? John Wayne. This classic film introduces the viewer to each stage passenger, one by one. Just outside of town, they stop to pick up "The Ringo Kid". The scene in which he stops the stage instantly made Wayne a star. As word of Indian problems reach them, the stage must race across the Great Salt Lake to the nearest fort. As the pursuing natives catch up to them, it's a question of who will survive the bullets and flying arrows! There's action, poignant moments and a little romance, too.

Walter Wanger Prod.; United Artists

Top 20 Western Epic Films #10 Top

The Man from Snowy River (1982), Director: George T. Miller, rated PG for Western violence

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

Top 20 Western Epic Films #9 Top

Red River (1948), Directors: Howard Hawks and Arthur Rosson, rated Passed

Big as the men who faced this challenge! Bold as the women who loved them!

Starring: John Wayne, Montgomery Clift, Walter Brennan, Joanne Dru, Harry Carey, John Ireland, Noah Berr Jr., Coleen Gray, Chief Yowlachie

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"You're soft, you should have let 'em kill me, 'cause I'm gonna kill you. I'll catch up with ya. I don't know when, but I'll catch up. Every time you turn around, expect to see me, 'cause one time you'll turn around and I'll be there." - Tom Dunson

Why watch this? Wayne rarely played against "the good guy" character. Here he is downright nasty as a Western Captain Ahab.

Plot Summary: Thomas Dunson is a determined rancher leading a massive cattle drive from Texas to Missouri after the Civil War renders his land valueless. Faced with Dunson's increasingly tyrannical methods during the arduous journey, his adopted son, Matthew Garth, must choose whether to challenge his adoptive father's authority for the sake of the men and the herd. This conflict between father and adopted son unfolds against the challenging backdrop of the cattle drive.

Dad's Preview: This picture is hailed by many as one of the greatest Western ever made. I love it, too, but feel there are many better Westerns. This features does, for historical purposes, depict the drama and dangers along the epic "cattle drive". I grew up working on a Texas cattle ranch hand so the topic of herd beef rings true to me. Wayne's performance, channeling Mutiny on the Bounty's Captain Bligh, is excellent as a herd owner who pushes his men too hard. This results in a mutiny, led by his adopted son, Matt. They leave Wayne on the trail with barely enough water to survive. Don't ever strand The Duke alive... There's lots of great cowboy action and an excellent ending.

Monterey Productions; United Artists

Top 20 Western Epic Films #8 Top

The Magnificent Seven (1960), Director: John Sturges, rated Approved

They were seven - And they fought like seven hundred!

Starring: Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, Horst Buchholz, Brad Dexter, James Coburn, Jorge Martinez de Hoyos, Vladimir Sokoloff, Rosenda Monteros, Rico Alaniz

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Running a farm, working like a mule every day with no guarantee anything will ever come of it. This is bravery." - O'Reilly

Why watch this? It's a real treat to see all this star-power in one film!

Plot Summary: A poor Mexican village, repeatedly raided by bandits, sends three villagers to seek help. They encounter Chris Adams, a seasoned gunslinger, who advises hiring other gunmen instead of buying weapons. Chris recruits six other skilled fighters. The seven train the villagers to defend their homes against the bandits' inevitable return.

Dad's Preview: What's better than a classic Western? A classic Western with an all-star cast. In 1960, the top new talent list started with Brynner, McQueen, Bronson, Vaughn and Coburn. The film's showdown is very memorable, as the seven alone stand against a horde of assaulting bandits and their leader, the devious Mexican Calvera (played by Eli Wallach). This film was inspired by Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece Seven Samurai (1954).

The Mirisch Co., Alpha Productions;
United Artists

Top 20 Western Epic Films #7 Top

Open Range (2003), Director: Kevin Costner, rated R for Western violence

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 Pics, Cobalt Media Group, Beacon
Comm., Tig Prod.; Buena Vista Pictures Dist.

Top 20 Western Epic Films #6 Top

The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), Director: Clint Eastwood, rated PG

... 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.

Top 20 Western Epic Films #5 Top

Once Upon a Time in the West (1966), Director: Sergio Leone, rated PG-13 for Western violence

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

Top 20 Western Epic Films #4 Top

Lonesome Dove (1989), Director: Simon Wincer, rated TV-14 for frontier violence

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: This epic Western is about two retired Texas Rangers, Augustus "Gus" McCrae and Woodrow Call, who decide to leave their quiet life in Texas for one last great adventure. They gather a crew and embark on a massive, perilous cattle drive spanning 3,000 miles to the unsettled lands of Montana Territory. Along the journey, the men face numerous challenges, including dangerous terrain, outlaws, and personal struggles that test their enduring friendship and character in the unforgiving American West.

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.

Dyson Lovell, Suzanne de Passe,
Motown Productions; CBS

Top 20 Western Epic Films #3 Top

The Last of the Mohicans (1992), Director: Michael Mann, rated R for frontier violence

An epic adventure and passionate romance unfold against the panorama of a frontier wilderness ravaged by war.

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Russell Means, Eric Schweig, Jodhi May, Steven Waddington, Wes Studi, Maurice Roëves

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #21 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of The Last of the Mohicans

"When the Grey Hair is dead, Magua will eat his heart. Before he dies, Magua will put his children under the knife, so the Grey Hair will know his seed is wiped out forever." - Magua

Why watch this? This classic American frontier story is a flawless work of art.

Plot Summary: During the French and Indian War in 1757, three trappers must escort a British colonel's daughters through the dangerous American wilderness to the safety of Fort William Henry. Their journey is complicated by the betrayal of a treacherous Huron guide, leading to an intense struggle for survival against hostile enemy forces. As the group battles through the rugged frontier landscape, the eldest daughter, Cora, and the Mohican scout, Hawkeye, form a profound connection amidst the escalating conflict.

Dad's Preview: On rare occasions, a classic story will find the perfect director, screenwriter and cast. Mohicans has it all, plus an expansive, haunting soundtrack. The filmmakers wisely focused on historical details, which has a huge impact on the film's cohesiveness. Daniel Day-Lewis' stern charisma breathes new life into Hawkeye, the white adopted son of Chingachgook, the last of his tribe. Wes Studi also excels as the bitter Huron chief, Magua, a man hell bent on revenge. I was surprised how seamlessly the film's love story meshed with classic prose by the great James Fenimore Cooper.

Michael Mann, Hunt Lowry; 20th Century Fox

Top 20 Western Epic Films #2 Top

The Searchers (1956), Director: John Ford, rated Approved

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.

Top 20 Western Epic Films #1 Top

Dances With Wolves (1990), Director: Kevin Costner, rated PG-13 for frontier violence

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