Five More

Now let’s take a look at my top 5 westerns made after 1970. The real reason I separated these is because I’ve seen almost all of these in the theatre and it makes a difference. These movies had a meaning to me that the older ones just missed. I didn’t feel it was right to have the classics like The Searchers compete against all of the emotions tied up in the feelings I “grew up” with.

5. Silverado (1985) Lawrence Kasden hit this one out of the park. It has all of the elements of the classics along with a great cast and fun dialogue. Scott Glenn, Kevin Costner, Danny Glover, Kevin Kline, Jeff Goldblum, John Cleese, Jeff Fahey, and Brian Dennehy round out the excellent cast of this fun loving action filled epic.

4. Open Range (2003) I loved this movie and you should pick up the DVD and listen to the commentary. The real life physical pain that Kevin Costner was going through made the emotional pain of his character come out perfectly on the screen. This movie has one of the best shootout scenes filmed so if you love action check it out for this part alone.

3. Blazing Saddles (1974) “Work, Work, Work,” “What in the Wide Wide World of Sports is a going on out here!” “Telegram for Mongo, Telegram for Mongo” Written by Mel Brooks and Richard Pryor this comedy western spoof has it all. You might not be able to quote 80 percent of the dialogue today, but it’s still probably the funniest movie even made.

2. Unforgiven (1992) It all builds up to the last 10 minutes, A tremendous character piece. It won Best Picture and Best Director for Clint Eastwood and a Best Supporting Actor Award for Gene Hackman. This is a must see movie and even Jose who doesn’t like westerns likes this one.

1. The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) I just can’t get enough of this movie, Hands down my favorite western of all time. This is a gun movie as Josey carries multiple pistols and even a sniper rifle that he uses to introduce the bad guys to a “Missouri Boat Ride”.

Honorable Mentions include Lonesome Dove, Dances with Wolves, Tombstone, Wyatt Earp, and The Shootist, any of which could have and maybe should have made the list.