The Western genre has captured the hearts and minds of viewers for decades. Tales of cowboys who start out in the rough and tumble of lawlessness and gun smoke have become some of the most beloved movies ever made. Many are Westerners, like Sergio Leone Dollars Trilogythey are completely fictional, many are actually based on real events and experiences, which adds a great sense of realism to the movies.
These movies use the real life experiences of historical people, whether they are terrorists, revolutionaries, or Native Americans, providing the audience with a greater sense of the historical context of the time. By combining reality with just the right amount of drama, these Westerns offer a more authentic glimpse into different eras, whether that's the Texan Revolution or the current story of bank robberies. From family feuds to survival stories, these Westerns have left an indelible mark on the genre.
10
The Free State Of Jones (2016)
Based on the Life of Newton Knight
Matthew McConaughey is a great actor, and he brought his A-game in his portrayal of Newton Knight in Free State of Jones. Knight was a combat medic in the Confederate Army during the US Civil War, who left the army after growing resentful of the Confederacy project. Eventually he leads a group of farmers and flees the slaves to Jones County, Mississippi, declaring it a free state. Free State of Jones it was also praised for its historical accuracy.
By exploring themes of class structure, social dynamics, patriotism, and race, The Free State of Jones manages to capture the true roots of Knight's rebellion and his complex relationship with the South during the Civil War.
Free State of Jones honors the life of Newton Knight while being very careful not to gloss over the brutal history of enslaved people in the South. By exploring themes of class structure, social dynamics, patriotism, and race, The Free State of Jones manages to capture the true roots of Knight's rebellion and his complex relationship with the South during the Civil War. A wonderful, true story, it explores Knight's actions after the War, as he tries to play his part in the Reconstruction of a divided US.
9
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Based on the Real Lives of the Titular Characters
One of the most iconic and beloved Westerners of all time, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid tells the true story of a fictional gangster who runs away from a gun. Cassidy is played by Paul Newman, and Harry Longabaugh (“the Sundance Kid”) is played by Robert Redford, the two actors who made this movie iconic. The film follows the pair as they flee to Bolivia, where they continue to be guerrillas until they are killed in a shootout.
While Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid it certainly invents many aspects of their real lives, getting the broad strokes right. Still, this lack of accuracy doesn't detract from Western entertainment in any way. The relationship between the famous actors cemented the film as one of the greatest Westerns of all time, and helped make Butch Cassidy one of the most legendary men in American history, while propelling the careers of Newman and Redford to new heights.
8
The True History of the Kelly Gang (2019)
Based on the Life of Ned Kelly
One of the most famous bushmen of all time, Ned Kelly is brought back to life in a stunning performance from George Mackay The True History of the Kelly Gang. Kelly is well known for using bulletproof weapons during shootouts with police, and led a gang for more than two years during a series of robberies in Victoria and New South Wales (via Britannica). A divisive figure, Kelly is seen by some as a freedom fighter for oppressed workers and by others as another criminal.
The True History of the Kelly Gang it captures Kelly's relentless and painful life from her childhood to her death, and Mackay's performance is one of the highlights. It provides a deeper understanding of the socio-economic context of Kelly's crime, where survival was a matter of being tougher than the other guy. Although it is a fictional account of Kelly and his team, it is nevertheless a fascinating and compelling look at the bygone era of Australian bushrangers' dominance.
7
The Alamo (1960)
Based on the Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo in 1836 was an important part of the Texas Revolution, which saw freedom fighters rebel against the increasingly authoritarian and centralized Mexican government. The battle saw Mexican troops recapture the Alamo Mission after a 13-day siege, leaving very few rebels alive, and ultimately pushing more support from the Mexican government for its brutality. The Alamo starring John Wayne as American hero Davy Crockett, brings this story to the big screen, full of joy while maintaining high respect for those who died in the war.
A true legend of the Western genre, Wayne brings his larger-than-life personality The Alamo in a way few players can. It lacks a bit in its historical accuracy, a problem that has been attempted to be rectified by various remakes, although these have never achieved the same cultural significance as the early 1960s. The AlamoSweeping cinematography, intense action sequences, and themes of devotion and heroism ensure this movie's place as a must-see for any Western fan.
6
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
Based on The Betrayal of Jesse James
Any movie with Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck in the lead role is going to be great, as well as Andrew Dominik. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford there is no exception to this rule. It's a dramatized account of the events leading up to the betrayal and murder of notorious gangster Jesse James (Pitt) at the hands of Robert Ford (Affleck), if the title wasn't obvious enough. A slow-moving, yet compelling story is at the heart of this Western, anchored by the incredible performances of Pitt and Affleck.
James was a popular figure in the Wild West, and led a gang, which Ford had just hired when he shot him. The movie certainly takes some historical liberties in its account of their relationship, but, since James himself has reached an almost Robin Hood-esque status in Wild West legends, these liberties don't detract from the film's impact in any way. It's a sprawling, yet uniquely intimate tale about the frustrations of living in someone's shadow, all the while marked by the secularism and violence that has come to define the Western genre.
5
The Last Manhunt (2022)
Based on Manhunt For Willie Boy
The Last Manhunt tells the true story of Willie Boy (Martin Sensmeier), a young Chemhuevi who falls in love with Carlotta (Mainei Kinimaka). Their love was considered highly inappropriate, and when Willie Boy went to ask Carlotta's father for her hand in marriage, he refused. Shortly after this confrontation, Carlotta's father was found dead from a gunshot wound to his left eye, sparking one of the last suspect-led operations in American history to try to track down Willie Boy and Carlotta.
The Last Manhunt differs from other Western films by telling the story from the perspective of Native Americans, shedding new light on the tension and conflict between indigenous peoples and Western settlers. Although the film is romantic to an extent, it succeeds in telling a compelling story about the oppression Native Americans faced at the hands of settlers, as they struggled to survive in a world that was rapidly erasing their way of life. Although less crowded than other Westerners, The Last Manhunt yet a must-see.
4
Tombstone (1993)
Based on the Life of Wyatt Earp
A tombstone is one of the funniest Westerns ever made, basing its plot on the events that took place in Arizona in the 1880s, particularly the famous Gunfight at the OK Corral. Kurt Russell stars as Wyatt Earp, one of the most famous lawyers in American history, while the performances of Val Kilmer as his partner, Doc Holliday, and Sam Elliott as his brother, Virgil, are also amazing. The film follows Earp and his associates as they try to establish law and order in the town of Tombstone, against the notorious outlaws, the Cowboys.
The film's emotional beats are palpable, and seem to capture the brutality of the West, and especially the anger that fueled Wyatt Earp's hunt for revenge after his brother's death.
A tombstone it's heavily played, leaning heavily on the Earp myth, yet manages to maintain a firm adherence to reality. The movie also manages to balance the intimate gore and raw feel of the Wild West with powerful action sequences, especially the Gunfight at the OK Corral. The film's emotional beats are palpable, and seem to capture the brutality of the West, and especially the anger that fueled Wyatt Earp's hunt for revenge after his brother's death.
3
Hell or High Water (2016)
Based on the Experiences of Screenwriter Taylor Sheridan
Hell or High Water is one of the greatest neo-Westerns of modern times, telling the 21st century story of two brothers, Toby (Chris Pine) and Tanner (Ben Foster) who rob a chain of banks to save their farm from foreclosure. Although not based on a particular story of fact, Hell or High WaterThe story is based largely on the real-life experiences of Taylor Sheridan, who grew up on a farm in Cranfills Gap, Texas (via Texas Highways). Sheridan was able to imbue the script with a deep understanding of the contemporary hardships faced by rural America while telling an incredible story.
Unlike traditional Westerns, the enemy that Toby and Tanner must defend their farm from is not crazed law enforcement officers, or ruthless gangsters, but a financial institution. The story of two brothers in Hell or High Water it may not be true, but it may also be more relevant to many farmers and ranchers in the US today, who have been left behind by rapid economic progress. This modern twist on Westerns, along with strong themes of family, loyalty, and justice, does Hell or High Water a poignant exploration of the American Dream and a film worthy of the genre.
2
The Revenant (2015)
Based on the True Story of Hugh Glass
The film that eventually won Leonardo DiCaprio an Academy Award, The Revenant tells the true story of Hugh Glass, a 19th century frontiersman. Glass, played by DiCaprio, is left for dead by his friends after being mauled by a grizzly bear while on a trapping expedition in the Dakotas in 1823. Glass's real-life story has become a legend, a staple of American mythology, too The Revenant brings it to the big screen in an amazing way.
The Revenant it deviates from historical accuracy in one major way, and that is to portray Glass as a man embarking on a mission of revenge. In fact, Glass is said to have forgiven those who left him for dead, which may have made the film more appealing, but this does not detract from the story in any way. Amazing cinematography of The Revenant it brings a real sense of realism to the screen, allowing viewers to fully immerse themselves in the wildness of the frontier. An amazing survival story brought to life by an amazing film.
1
Killers Of The Flower Moon (2023)
Based on The Osage Murders
Perhaps the most disturbing Western on this list, belongs to Martin Scorsese Flower Moon Assassins is based on one of the darkest chapters in American history. In Oklahoma in the 1920s, the Osage natives became very rich from finding oil on their land. This wealth made Native Americans the target of a systematic campaign of oppression, exploitation, and murder. White settlers, motivated by greed, racism, and corruption, killed at least 60 people over a 13-year period (with The New York Times).
It breaks from the traditional boundaries of the Western genre, and its 206-minute running time is more than enough to justify the killing spree.
Flower Moon Assassins centers around immigrant Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his wife, Mollie (Lily Gladstone), who is a member of the Osage tribe. With Scorese's direction, and a standout performance from Gladstone, Flower Moon Assassins it can serve as a sobering reminder of the very real horrors the US was built on. It breaks from the usual constraints of the Western genre, and its 206-minute running time has a reason to be murderous.
Sources: The New York Times, Texas Highways.