Month: September 2023

“If God didn’t want them sheared, He would not have made them sheep.” —Calvera

Today’s quick review: The Magnificent Seven. After years of paying tribute to Calvera (Eli Wallach) and his bandits, the farmers of a rural Mexican village hire Chris Adams (Yul Brynner) and a band of American gunfighters (Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter, James Coburn, and Horst Buchholz) to take care of the problem. However, in spite of the Americans’ skill, Calvera proves to be a challenging opponent.

The Magnificent Seven is a classic Western adventure and an adaptation of the film Seven Samurai. Yul Brynner leads an ensemble cast of gunfighters who risk their lives to defend a Mexican farming village. The film hits a sweet spot for the Western genre, blending flashy action with a serious story and efficient character work. The Magnificent Seven has a straightforward conflict but executes it with true skill, earning its place as a classic.

The Magnificent Seven has an excellent cast and knows how to use it. The nature of the story means that few of the characters get much screen time, but every minute of it counts. Even their short introductions and limited lines of dialogue are enough to make the Seven a memorable bunch, thanks to the sense of presence that the actors bring to their scenes. Special mention goes to Yul Brynner and Eli Wallach for leading an already talented cast.

Apart from its cast, The Magnificent Seven delivers an earnest conflict that hits just the right emotional notes. The heart of the film is the question of whether the Seven are fighting for the money, as usual, or to defend the farmers. The film does not delve too deeply into this theme, but it gives the fighting an emotional layer that helps hold everything together. The subplots are similar: short on detail, but rewarding to follow.

The Magnificent Seven will appeal to fans of the bold, confident side of the Western genre. The Seven strike a perfect balance between self-interested guns for hire and classic heroes, and their world feels alive and vibrant. Anyone who enjoys a good shootout will get something out of the film, while the right kind of Western fan will find it thoroughly enjoyable. Give it a shot.

For a somewhat more cynical Western about American mercenaries on a job in Mexico, check out Vera Cruz. For a classic Western about a wandering gunfighter who intervenes in a rural conflict, try Shane. For a less polished Western starring Yul Brynner as a gun for hire, try Invitation to a Gunfighter. For a Western comedy with a loosely similar premise, try Three Amigos.

[7.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054047/). I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for a great cast and an adventurous story.

Today’s quick review: Unforgiven. William Munny (Clint Eastwood), a widowed farmer trying to live down his past as a violent outlaw, accepts an offer from the Schofield Kid (Jaimz Woolvett) to collect the bounty on two cowboys who mutilated a prostitute. Gathering up Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman), William’s old partner, they head to the town of Big Whiskey, Wyoming, where they receive a cold welcome from Sheriff Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman).

Unforgiven is a gritty Western drama directed by Clint Eastwood. The film chronicles the cycle of violence that unfolds when two men attack a woman with a knife. Unable to get justice from Little Bill, the victim’s friends offer a $1,000 reward for anyone who kills the two assailants, drawing a slew of violent killers to Big Whiskey. Unforgiven features a talented cast, a dark story, and rich themes about truth and violence.

The film gets much of its depth from its characters and what they represent. Will Munny is a cold-blooded killer who managed to leave his past behind, until the prospect of a better life for his children lures him out of retirement. Now Will walks a narrow line between finishing the job and reverting to who he was. Meanwhile, the Schofield Kid is his opposite: an inexperienced young outlaw eager for a real taste of blood.

Unforgiven also explores the nature of truth, rumor, and reputation. At the heart of the story is the reputation men like Will Munny and Little Bill hold, whether they are trying to inflate it or live it down. This theme works through the movie in subtle ways, ranging from the Kid’s empty boasts to the brutal way Little Bill keeps control of his town. As such, Unforgiven has an extra layer of meaning to it that many other Westerns lack.

The chief drawback of Unforgiven is its mature content. The film depicts the grimier side of the Old West, complete with brutal murders, swearing, and sex. The mature side of the movie does serve its purpose in framing the conflict, but it is enough to put off sensitive viewers. The film is also morally bleak. William has an unabashedly wicked past behind him, and nearly every character in the story is responsible for some amount of violence.

Unforgiven is a strong pick for anyone who can stomach is subject matter. The film charts a different course than other Westerns, emphasizing the base nature of humanity and the slim possibility of redemption. The result is a tense and unpredictable story that also has plenty of cerebral appeal. Skip it if you are looking for clear-cut heroes and villains, or more straightforward action.

For a cleaner Western about an aging gunslinger who comes out of retirement, try Big Jake or The Shootist. For a more comedic Western about the relationship between an old gunslinger and an eager young fan, try My Name Is Nobody. For a modern action thriller about a father who puts his violent past to work, try Taken. For a more subdued drama from Clint Eastwood, try Gran Torino.

[8.2 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105695/). I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for potent drama and layered themes.

Today’s quick review: High Noon. On the day of his wedding, Marshal Will Kane (Gary Cooper), the man who cleaned up a lawless Western town, learns that Frank Miller (Ian MacDonald), the man he sent away for murder, has been pardoned and is coming back for revenge. Leaving his bride Amy (Grace Kelly) behind, he tries to recruit a posse from the citizens of the town, only to find himself abandoned and left to face Frank on his own.

High Noon is a classic Western drama about the last stand of an honest marshal. Will Kane has under two hours to get help before Frank Miller arrives on the noon train and meets up with three of his fellow killers, effectively signing Kane’s death sentence. With the clock ticking, Kane visits every friend, ex-marshal, and able-bodied man in town. But one by one they turn him down, unwilling to go up against Miller and his gang.

High Noon has an excellent sense of anticipation. The noon deadline is as simple as it is effective. Kane’s life is on a timer, and every refusal from the townsfolk wastes precious minutes and diminishes his chance of survival. The film has a knack for knowing when to use dialogue and when to remain silent. Every scene has a sense of impending doom, but High Noon never lays its tension on too thick or allows itself to become monotonous.

The premise allows High Noon to explore one of the darker sides of human nature. Marshal Will Kane is one of the most respected men in town and the sole reason it is safe to walk the streets. But in his hour of need, his friends and allies abandon him, whether due to cowardice, ambition, or old grievances. High Noon flays apart Kane’s accomplishments and shows just how ephemeral they are due when faced with other people’s weakness.

The lynchpin of the story is Kane himself. Gary Cooper delivers a subtle performance as a man too honorable for his own good. Rather than flee town with his wife, he chooses to make a stand. As his support evaporates and his relationships crumble, Kane quietly steels himself for the hour of his death. Kane is not an ostentatious hero. He is a calm and dependable man. But he faces the one thing he cannot fight: indifference.

High Noon is a classic of the genre that is well worth a watch for any of its fan. From a straightforward premise, High Noon spins an insightful tale about the quieter failings of human nature and bravery in the face of death. Its skillful storytelling and rich themes make it an excellent pick for a wide range of audiences, even those who are jaded by the Western formula. Give it a watch.

For another classic Western with themes of civic duty, check out The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. For a classic Western about a lawman and his few allies facing a superior force, try Rio Bravo or El Dorado. For a classic legal drama that has similar insight into human nature, try 12 Angry Men.

[8.0 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044706/). I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for carefully managed tension and conflict that goes deeper than the surface level.

Today’s quick review: Fighting Caravans. To avoid jail time, Clint Belmet (Gary Cooper) poses as the husband of Felice (Lili Damita), a young woman in a wagon train to California. Against the urgings of Bill Jackson (Ernest Torrence) and Jim Bridger (Tully Marshall), the grizzled old scouts who raised him, Clint considers making the relationship real. But while Clint and Felice get to know each other, the wagon train faces attack by a band of Kiowas.

Fighting Caravans is a Western romantic comedy starring Gary Cooper. The story follows one of the last cross-country wagon trains delivering freight to California before the completion of the railroad. Clint, a wild young man, finds himself torn between the freewheeling influence of Bill and Jim and the growing love he feels for Felice. Fighting Caravans aims to be a light tale of opposites falling in love, but its execution falls short of the mark.

Fighting Caravans’ chief problem is its characters, who are nowhere near as charming as they should be. Bill and Jim are meant to be lovable rascals, but their drunken antics only cause trouble. Clint is meant to be an untamable hero with a mischievous streak, but instead he comes across as selfish and crude. Felice fares the best of the main cast, but she is a neutral figure at best, only there to argue with Clint and gradually fall in love.

Fighting Caravans also has subtler issues with its storytelling and delivery. The acting is lackluster, with lines of dialogue that come across as wooden pronouncements. The camerawork exacerbates the problem, cutting after almost every line and giving the movie an artificial quality. The romance is clumsy, with little chemistry between the leads and plenty of artificial drama. And while the plot is serviceable, it does not do anything special.

The end result is a Western that is outclassed by many later entries into the genre. Fighting Caravans has the makings of a light love story on the Great Plains, but it has neither the tact nor the playful spirit to pull it off. The comedy misses the mark, the romance is weak, and the presentation is flawed. Fighting Caravans does tell a complete story with a few viable ideas, but there is little to recommend it over its peers.

For a more charming Western romantic comedy, try The Fighting Kentuckian. For a better Western romance in the same vein starring Gary Cooper, try Along Came Jones.

[5.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021861/). I give it a 5.0 for weak characters and clunky storytelling.

Today’s quick review: Along Came Jones. Melody Jones (Gary Cooper), a traveling cowboy, wanders into the wrong town and gets mistaken for Monte Jarrad (Dan Duryea), a murderous outlaw who robbed a stagecoach nearby. Realizing that everyone in town either fears him or wants him dead, Melody agrees to use the confusion to help Cherry de Longpre (Loretta Young), the real Monte’s girlfriend, throw the posse off the injured outlaw’s trail.

Along Came Jones is a Western comedy about a case of mistaken identity. Gary Cooper stars as Melody Jones, a simple cowhand who happens to look like a fearsome criminal. The story follows Melody and his friend George (William Demarest) as they risk themselves to get Cherry out of trouble. Along Came Jones has a plot full of bluffs, betrayals, and romance. However, its strength stems from Melody’s good intentions and his relationship with Cherry.

Along Came Jones is not the most sophisticated comedy. Its plot has plenty of twists and turns, particularly as more people get involved in the hunt for Melody, but the core of it is fairly simple. The script is not especially sharp, and neither Melody nor George is a standout comedic figure. But for all that, the two have their charms. Slow to catch on but smarter than they look, they throw everyone’s plans off-kilter just by sticking around.

The movie also features a modest but rewarding romance between Melody and Cherry. Devoted to Monte but sick of his misdeeds, Cherry initially tries to use Melody as a patsy. But when it becomes clear that he intends to help her even though he knows the truth, she begins to second-guess herself. The combination of Melody’s bravery—backed up by no gunmanship whatsoever—and Cherry’s shifting motives makes for a fine love story.

Along Came Jones will appeal to fans of the classics. It is not an outstanding movie, but it tells an amusing story with a certain amount of charm. Audiences who enjoy old-fashioned heroes and classic cases of mistaken identity will enjoy Along Came Jones. Skip it if you’re looking for sharper comedy or real thrills.

For a similar case of mistaken identity with a bit more spirit, try Support Your Local Gunfighter. For a serious Western drama starring Gary Cooper, try Man of the West. For one with more intrigue, try Vera Cruz.

[6.5 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037508/). I give it the same for honest charm.

Today’s quick review: Man of the West. Link Jones (Gary Cooper), a former bank robber trying to turn over a new leaf, gets an unwelcome taste of his old life when Dock Tobin (Lee J. Cobb), his one-time mentor, robs the train Link is riding in. Left stranded with a singer (Julie London) and a gambler (Arthur O’Connell) as the train gets away, Link bluffs that he has returned to help Dock with his latest score.

Man of the West is a Western crime drama starring Gary Cooper. The story follows Link Jones as he walks a careful line, cooperating with his old gang enough to keep himself and his friends alive while looking for a way out of Dock’s next bank robbery. Man of the West features a tight plot with few extraneous pieces, several solid performances, and a naturally tense premise. The result is a well-scoped movie that accomplishes what it sets out to do.

Man of the West does a good job of managing its tension. Link and his companions are outmatched and outmaneuvered for most of the movie, and he has to rely on Dock’s lingering affection for him to stay alive. Gary Cooper delivers a serious performance that contrasts nicely with the unhinged behavior of Dock and the cold malice of Claude (John Dehner), Dock’s right-hand man. Meanwhile, the plot is a focused series of tests for Link and the others.

Give Man of the West a shot when you are in the mood for a serious Western with hard decisions for its characters. Link Jones is a different kind of Western hero, a quiet man who relies more on cunning than skill to survive. Fans of the crime genre will find the dynamics of the movie familiar, but it retains the down-to-earth quality of the more serious Westerns. Viewers looking for lighter action should steer clear.

For a classic Western with a protagonist who gets by on his wits, try A Fistful of Dollars. For a modern action movie about a reformed criminal blackmailed into returning to the game, try Gone in Sixty Seconds.

[7.1 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051899/). I give it a 7.0 for a tightly written and suitably tense story.

Today’s quick review: True Grit. To avenge her father, Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), a strong-willed teenager, recruits the help of Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), a washed-up marshal with a reputation for killing his targets. Accompanied by La Boeuf (Matt Damon), a dubious Texas ranger, Mattie and Rooster head into Choctaw territory in search of the killer Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) and Lucky Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper), the outlaw protecting him.

True Grit is a Western drama from the Coen Brothers. The story follows Mattie Ross as she sets out to bring her father’s killer to justice with the help of two lawmen of questionable skill. True Grit tells an unusual story for a Western, trading in the classic cowboy hero for a precocious girl and a brutal mess of a marshal. The interplay between the characters, the journey itself, and artful direction make True Grit a rewarding watch.

True Grit has a few wry touches that mark it as a Coen Brothers film. The characters are all a little strange. Mattie is a willful girl with peculiar notions of how the world works. Rooster has a salty personality and a keen tactical mind that only works when he’s sober. La Boeuf butts heads with Rooster constantly and brags about more than he accomplishes. The trio’s odd dynamic gives the film a very particular flavor.

Unlike other Coen Brothers films, True Grit is largely serious. There are a few lighter moments, and the script has hints of irony, but there is not much outright comedy. The journey is protrayed as perilous every step of the way, and Mattie is never coddled or treated as an action heroine. True Grit is a glimpse at a particularly harsh side of the Old West, where its heroes will need luck and skill to achieve their goals.

True Grit is a solid pick for fans of the modern side of the Western genre. Although its story is almost unchanged from the original John Wayne version of the film, the Coen Brothers is a little more violent, a little more quirky, and has a greater focus on camerawork and direction. The result may come across as odd to some viewers, but the strength of the story, acting, and presentation make it worth checking out.

For a more even-keeled rendition of the same story, check out the John Wayne version of True Grit. For a stranger Western anthology from the Coen Brothers, try The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. For a bleak, Western-style crime drama from the Coen Brothers, try No Country For Old Men. For another skillful modern wester, try 3:10 to Yuma.

[7.6 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1403865/). I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a compelling story and capable direction.

“If I smelled as bad as you, I wouldn’t live near people.” —Mattie

Today’s quick review: True Grit. After her father is murdered by Tom Chaney (Jeff Corey), Mattie Ross (Kim Darby) hires Rooster Cogburn (John Wayne), a grizzled and trigger-happy marshal, to hunt Chaney down. The duo join up with La Boeuf (Glen Campbell), a Texas ranger hunting Chaney for other crimes, and set out after their quarry. But their mission becomes more dangerous when Chaney takes up with Ned Pepper (Robert Duvall) and his gang.

True Grit is a classic Western drama about a teenage girl trying to bring her father’s killer to justice. Kim Darby stars as Mattie Ross, a prim and capable young woman who ropes two dangerous lawmen into her hunt for Chaney. John Wayne plays opposite her as Rooster Cogburn, whose tendency to shoot outlaws has earned him a bad reputation. True Grit’s well-scoped story and interesting character dynamics help it carve out a niche in a crowded genre.

The highlight of the film is Mattie Ross herself. Young and unimposing, she makes up for these deficiencies with pride and determination. In a world of liars and criminals, she never lets anyone cheat her, never gets the bad end of a deal, and never gives up until she gets her way. The way she gets Cogburn and La Boeuf on her side, as well as her courage in the face of danger, gives True Grit a unique and rewarding angle.

The main pitfall of the film is its characters, in spite of its talented leads. Neither Rooster Cogburn nor La Boeuf is a classic hero, and nearly all of the character interactions are combative, whether it’s the lawmen insulting one another or Mattie trying to keep them in line. The net effect does work in the film’s favor and helps True Grit with the story it’s trying to tell, but it does make the characters harder to get used to.

Overall, True Grit accomplishes what it sets out to do. The backbone of the story is a well-constructed hunt for a fugitive, while the film’s unique lead gives it a very specific identity. Fans of the Western genre will do well to give it a shot. Those looking for a more conventional hero or a film with more warmth and humor may want to look elsewhere. For a more harrowing John Wayne Western about the hunt for justice, try The Searchers.

[7.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065126/). I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a plucky lead and strong fundamentals.

“A cow’s nothing but a lot of trouble tied up in a leather bag.” —Wil Andersen

Today’s quick review: The Cowboys. Left with no cowhands to take his herd to market, Wil Andersen (John Wayne), an aging rancher, reluctantly recruits a group of schoolboys to help him drive his cattle 400 miles to Belle Fourche. Accompanied by Jebediah Nightlinger (Roscoe Lee Browne), a wise cook, Andersen and the boys set out on a perilous journey that will test their mettle and force the teenagers to become men.

The Cowboys is a Western drama starring John Wayne. The movie follows a rancher and close to a dozen boys as they brave a long path through uncertain territory. The Cowboys is a coming-of-age story that bridges the gap between Andersen, a hard and unforgiving man, and the boys put in his charge. The movie benefits from a novel premise and some touching character work, but its storytelling style will not be to every viewer’s taste.

The Cowboys has the makings of a compelling watch. The journey is long and unpredictable, with dangers ranging from rustlers to the cows themselves. The movie does a good job of conveying the grudging respect Andersen develops for the boys, and several of the incidents along the way are suitably gut-wrenching. Meanwhile, Roscoe Lee Browne delivers a charismatic perforamnce as Nightlinger, and the script serves up a few poetic lines of dialogue.

However, The Cowboys is on shakier ground with its plot structure and its emotional arc. The story consists of a series of episodes on the trail to Belle Fourche. These work well enough on their own, but they are not tied together very tightly. The movie also spends little time with the individual boys, instead showing the development as a group. As a result, the movie’s strongest emotional moments do not always have the scaffolding they need.

How much you get out of The Cowboys will come down to taste. The movie has plenty to offer in terms of character development and the logistics of a cattle drive. But it lacks the rigid structure that many viewers will be used to, meaning that it’s up to the viewer to bond with the characters. Give it a shot if you are interested in a coming-of-age story with more bite than usual. Skip it if you are looking for a more conventional Western.

For another John Wayne Western about a dangerous cattle drive, try Red River. For an emotionally potent John Wayne Western about an aging gunfighter, try The Shootist. For a more fanciful kids’ adventure with an ensemble cast, try The Goonies.

[7.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068421/). I give it a 7.0 for polished pieces assembled into a loose whole.

“Let’s make some music.” —Cole Thornton

Today’s quick review: El Dorado. Cole Thornton (John Wayne), a gun for hire, travels to the town of El Dorado to help his friend, Sheriff J.P. Harrah (Robert Mitchum), settle a land dispute between two ranchers, one of whom has hired Nelse McLeod (Christopher George), a dangerous killer, to threaten his opponent. To even the odds against McLeod and his men, Thornton accepts the help of Mississippi (James Caan), a novice gunfighter.

El Dorado is a classic Western starring John Wayne. The film follows an aging gunfighter as he helps an old friend out of a tight spot. El Dorado has a heavy emphasis on its characters and the relationships between them. Thornton and Harrah behave like genuine buddies, taking shots at each other but supporting one another when the chips are down. Their friendship, as well as a handful of engaging subplots, gives El Dorado a lasting appeal.

El Dorado has a cast that’s easy to like. Thornton is a calm and capable protagonist. Harrah, once his match, has fallen into alcoholism by the time Thornton comes back to town. Mississippi is a newcomer to Thornton’s lifestyle, but he’s an eager ally. Meanwhile, Bull (Arthur Hunnicutt), Harrah’s grizzled deputy, acts as another ally and comic relief. Finally, Maudie (Charlene Holt) supports Thornton and challenges him to overcome his pride.

El Dorado does a skillful job of managing its tension. Thornton has a group of capable allies, but they are badly outnumbered by McLeod’s men. Even moving around the town becomes a dangerous activity, and the heroes are forced to hole up in the jail for their own safety. El Dorado knows just when to ramp up the tension and when to relieve it with a bit of humor, resulting in a story with tangible stakes but an adventurous tone.

El Dorado has a lot to offer fans of the Western genre. The basis of its story is not that different from any other Western, but it quickly settles into its own rhythm. It is rewarding to see the characters lift each other up and use their wits to overcome obstacles. Meanwhile, the unique mixture of levity and tension gives El Dorado an appeal that very few other movies manage. Those interested should give it a shot.

For a John Wayne Western with a similar plot and a shade less humor, try Rio Bravo. For a more personal drama about an ailing gunfighter starring John Wayne, try The Shootist. For a Western of similar scope about a lawman and his allies trying to clean up a frontier town, check out Tombstone. For a Western comedy about an old gunfighter and his peculiar protege, try My Name Is Nobody.

[7.6 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061619/). I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for excellent characters and an engaging story.