Summary
TheWesterngenre has had countless classic releases over the decades, but some stood above the rest in terms of rewatch value. Although there were incredibly exciting Westerns that stood as fantastic cinematic viewing experiences, this was not always enough to ensure that audiences returned to them repeatedly throughout the years. However, other Western movies delivered just the right kind of action, strong characterization, and deeply nuanced storytelling that meant Western lovers would decide to return to those characters and find new aspects to enjoy with each subsequent viewing.
The most rewatchable Westerns all had something in common: They offered more than just surface-level enjoyment when it came to repeat viewing. The most rewatchable Westerns also included some of thegreatest Westerns ever made, where truly spectacular filmmaking was the gift that kept on giving. From powerfully poignant character studies of dangerous Wild West outlaws to hilarious satirical send-ups of the genre itself,the most rewatchable Westerns ever have truly stood the test of time.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Cast
Robert Ford, who has idolized Jesse James since childhood, tries hard to join the resurgent gang of the Missouri outlaw, but gradually becomes resentful of the bandit leader.
Despite bombing at the box office,The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Fordwas among the great Westerns of the 21st century. As an expertly crafted period piece about one of the most enduring figures of American folklore, it had a moody style, stunningly unique visuals, and an incredible cast, including Brad Pitt as Jesse James and Casey Affleck as Robert Ford.The Assassination of Jesse Jameswas a slow burn that revealed hidden meaning upon each viewing and could be enjoyed repeatedly.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a Western anthology film by the Coen Brothers that comprises six distinct stories. Each vignette explores themes of the American frontier, blending humor and tragedy. With a richly detailed setting, the film delves into various aspects of frontier life, showcasing a range of characters from singing cowboys to intrepid prospectors. The distinctive narrative style and evocative cinematography create a compelling portrait of the Old West.
As an anthology Western film made up of six vignettes set on the American frontier,The Ballad of Buster Scruggswas a highly enjoyable film from the Coen Brothersfull of humor, pathos, and style. With a powerful blend of black humor and dark drama, each story offered something unique and paid homage to the vast and varied appeal of the Western genre. Full of notable stars, such as Liam Neeson, James Franco, and Tom Waits, this modern Western film captured the essence of classic Western aesthetics in a way viewers had not seen before.
High Noon
A town Marshal, despite the disagreements of his newlywed bride and the townspeople around him, must face a gang of deadly killers alone at “high noon” when the gang leader, an outlaw he “sent up” years ago, arrives on the noon train.
AlthoughHigh Noonwas controversial upon its original release due to its perceived political themes, this has also contributed to its enduring appeal more than 70 years later. With a story told in real-time about Marshal Will Kane (Gary Cooper),High Noonaddressed themes of duty and justiceand was an early example of the revisionist Western genre. As a film that sheds light on the changing societal values of 1950s America,High Nooncan be viewed repeatedly, not just for its historical significance but because it was a highly engrossing film.
“The Most Un-American Thing I’ve Ever Seen”: Why John Wayne Rejected This Classic Western Movie
Legendary Western actor John Wayne had a major gripe with a classic 1952 Western film, turning down the lead role because of ideological differences.
The Wild Bunch
The Wild Bunch is a Western drama film by director Sam Peckinpah, released in 1969. A group of aging outlaws decides to take on one last heist before retiring from their lives of crime. However, Pike Bishop, the head of the gang, discovers that they’ve been betrayed by a former partner, forcing them into a final standoff.
The epic revisionist epicThe Wild Bunchwas not only among the best Westerns of the 1960s but also one of the greatest films ever made. With the use of intricate, multi-angle cuts and a trailblazing slow-motion style,The Wild Bunchwas a revolutionary film when it was first released, and its influence can still be felt in the Western genre to this day. As an extremely violent movie that paid homage to the dying days of the Wild West, The Wild Bunch has maintained its enduring power all these decades.
The Searchers
The Searchers, released in 1956, stars John Wayne as a Civil War veteran who embarks on a years-long quest to rescue his kidnapped niece. Directed by John Ford, the film delves into themes of obsession and racial tension as the protagonist’s motivations become increasingly complex.
The Searcherswas the crowning achievement of directorJohn Ford and Western star John Wayne’s collaborationsand stood as a definitive release in American cinematic history. As a hugely influential release,The Searcherstold the story of a Civil War veteran who spent years searching for his abducted niece. Although it must be admitted that some aspects, such as the representation of Native Americans, may feel outdated, the technique prowess on display, the power of its filmmaking, and the extraordinary performances made this a film to be rewatched and enjoyed by every subsequent generation of film lovers.
The Outlaw Josey Wales
Missouri farmer Josey Wales joins a Confederate guerrilla unit and winds up on the run from the Union soldiers who murdered his family.
Clint Eastwood directed and starred inThe Outlaw Josey Wales, the highly rewatchable story of a bandit out for revenge. As a revisionist Western based on a novel by Asa Earl Carter,The Outlaw Josey Walessaw the bandit outlaw join a Confederate guerrilla band as he embarked on a bloodthirsty quest driven by a need to avenge his murdered family. As the story of a man with nothing left to lose, Josey Wales was an explosive and unpredictable anti-hero who led one of the greatest Westerns of the 1970s.
The Magnificent Seven
Seven gunfighters are hired by Mexican peasants to liberate their village from oppressive bandits.
When it came to star-studded Western movies, it did not get any more iconic thanThe Magnificent Seven, the Old West remake of Akira Kurosawa’s classic Japanese filmSeven Samurai. With its highly influential gathering-a-team narrative, this story of gunslingers hired to protect a small village from Mexican bandits has endured through the decades. AlthoughThe Magnificent Sevenwas remade in 2016with modern stars, the original was leagues ahead when it came to rewatch value and was the version that had truly stood the test of time.
Django Unchained
Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained follows Jamie Foxx’s Django, a Black slave who is freed before becoming a bounty hunter. After meeting German dentist-turned-bounty-hunter Dr. King Schultz, Django sets off to free his wife from the cruel and charismatic plantation owner Calvin Candie. Christophe Waltz stars alongside Foxx, with Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson, and Kerry Washington rounding out the cast of Tarantino’s revisionist Spaghetti Western.
As directorQuentin Tarantino’s homage to the Spaghetti Western genre,Django Unchainedhelped modernize this style of Western for a new generation and updated it with a contemporary soundtrack, action sequences, and plenty of his signature style.Django Unchainedwas a wild ride from start to finish, full of incredible characters and fantastic performances. With a runtime of 165 minutes,Django Unchainedwas epic in scope, but in terms of pure style, it could be rewatched endlessly.
Once Upon a Time in the West
Once Upon a Time in the West is a critically acclaimed Italian Western released in 1968. Directed by Sergio Leone, the film stars Henry Fonda as Frank and Charles Bronson as Harmonica, two men who work together to protect widow Jill McBain (Claudia Cardinale) from an assassin. Sergio Donati and Leone wrote the screenplay for the film based on a story by Dario Argento.
After revolutionizing the Western genre with hisDollars Trilogy, director Sergio Leone returned to the style that made him famous forOnce Upon a Time in the West. With a classic score by Ennio Morricone and a compelling story of a harmonica-playing stranger, a notorious desperado, and a beautiful widow, Leone delivered everything a Western lover could want and more with this release. Although it was a financial flop upon release,Once Upon a Time in the Westhas since been regarded as a true classic.
Sergio Leone’s Once Upon A Time Trilogy Ranked Worst To Best
Sergio Leone’s unofficial Once Upon A Time… trilogy feature some of the late director’s best work, and also his most underrated Western.
True Grit
A drunken, hard-nosed U.S. Marshal and a Texas Ranger help a stubborn teenager track down her father’s murderer in Indian Territory.
Western acting legend John Wayne took home the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Rooster Cogburn inTrue Grit. As the story of a hard-drinking U.S. Marshal and a Texas Ranger trying to track down a murderer on Indian territory,True Gritwas a powerful Western driven by vengeancethat featured a fantastic late-career performance from Wayne. Although some saythe 2010 remake by the Coen Brothers beat the original, when it came to rewatchability, Wayne’s legacy made this version come out on top.
