10 Highly Underrated Western Remakes That Deserve More Love

Westerns has one of the most profound and storied cinematic histories of any genre, producing timeless classics that can be watched over and over again. Tales of old-school frontier conflicts, images of dusty landscapes, and a catalog of the Wild West’s finest villains, heroes, and morally complex characters who embrace Wild West ideals. Over time, filmmakers look to make use of these tried and true tropes and remakes of some old favorites to put a fresh spin or new idea. in a traditional story.

It’s these overarching themes that give Western filmmakers a penchant for remakes, with films like Diligence and 3:10 to Yuma providing perfect narratives and premises to build and create a new perspective and feeling. From robberies and character studies to confrontations and revengeadding new techniques, technological advances and modern filming and production practices to use in works that pay homage to, but also differ from, the original classics.

10

Noon (2000)

Remake of Noon (1952)

Midday is a made-for-TV Western remake of the classic 1952 film of the same name which featured the legendary Gary Cooper in the lead role. The 2000 version follows the same plot of a small-town marshal named Will Kane (Tom Skerritt), who is placed in a precarious situation when an ex-convict he arrested returns for revenge. He must decide whether to remain at his post and uphold the law, protecting his city and the judicial system, or leave the city with his new wife, but consequently turning his back on the law and the place where he resides.

Both films unfold in real time, which adds a unique touch to the narrative and places the viewer alongside the Marshal in his agonizing wait and decision. While the film never reached the heights or acclaim of the original, it does put a grittier, more modern spin on the story.which works well in its updated setting with a more tense atmosphere and happier visual style. Overall, it lacks the polish of the 1952 film, but it’s still an incredible story that stands the test of time and is worth watching.

9

The Indignation (1964)

Remake of Rashomon (1950)

The outrage is an exceptional remake of Akira Kurosawa’s iconic 1950s film Rashomonthis time directed by Martin Ritt and starring the one and only Paul Newman. The film tells the captivating story of outlaw Juan Carrasco (Newman), who was tried and convicted of the murder of a Southern aristocrat and the sexual assault of his wife.. There follow four different accounts from four different witnesses who testified during the trial, told in a series of sequences and flashbacks to provide the versions that contradict each other.

Ritt swaps the dense forest of Kurosawa’s setting for the more Westernized American frontier, which changes the location but not the heart and soul of the story.. The fragmented and intertwined versions of the narrative’s events are masterfully paced and directedwith the audience not knowing what the truth is, which casts doubt on each person and each event in the film. Newman is electric as the charismatic ‘villain’, and the morally ambiguous nature of the story leaves many questions for interpretation, creating a very solid retelling of an iconic film.

8

Ned Kelly (2003)

Remake of Ned Kelly (1970)

Ned Kelly is the retelling of the life of one of Australia’s most infamous outlaws, based on and adapted from the 1970 film starring Mick Jagger as Kelly. The 2003 film stars Heath Ledger, perhaps more sensibly compared to Jagger, in the lead role of the iconic bushranger, focusing more on his personal relationships – such as with his brother – and his defiance of police brutality. The film truly captures the serene and beautiful qualities of the Australian outback, and the narrative is constantly evolving throughout the play.

The remake stands out from the original for many reasons, among them Ledger’s incredible control over the central character and his ability to convey an outlaw who is at times ruthless and also vulnerable. Both films feature plenty of action and excellent cinematography, but the modern take on the story is definitely the more captivating. as you see more of the human side of the man, not just the legend. Ledger’s impeccable portrayal and overall more polished look to the film make it a remake that is certainly worth any Western fan’s time.

7

3 Godfathers (1948)

Heroes from Hell remake (1929)

The epic western 3 godparents is a remake of the 1929 black and white sound film Heroes of Helldirected by William Wyler, starring Charles Bickman, Raymond Hatton and Fred Kohler. The 1948 adaptation starred John Wayne, Pedro Armendáriz and Harry Carey Jr in the lead roles as three hardened thugs who end up making a promise to a dying woman to care for her young son. This version, directed by John Ford, features a masterful update in pacing, story and star power that takes the film to the next level.

Ford is reaching the height of his powers as he puts his talented touches into every area of ​​the production, creating a remake that feels like an original and unique work of cinema. The film maintains the emotional core of the story, with truly exceptional performances from the three protagonists.Wayne, Armendáriz and Carey Jr. all portray tough but sensitive gangsters. The film’s leap into color also reflects the rise in quality in terms of acting, soundtrack, and cinematography, ensuring its status as an underrated Western gem.

6

Maverick (1994)

Remake of Maverick (1957-1962)

Richard Donner Independent is the remake of the successful and acclaimed TV series of the same name, which ran from 1957 to 1963 and starred James Garner – who also has a major role in this film. The film follows the same premise as the series, showing the journey of high-stakes poker player and con artist Bret Maverick (Mel Gibson) as he plans to enter an exclusive game. The narrative also shows his life away from the tables, mixing romance, action and comedy into a unique and engaging Western tale.

There has been some debate over Garner’s role in the film, as some claim he is playing the same role as in the series, while others say he is playing a relative of his former character. Either way, Gibson, Garner and Jodie Foster share a special connection, with fantastic performances, creating a western that leans into more comedic and light-hearted themes that make it easy to watch. It’s difficult to compare the succinctness of a film to the expansive capabilities of a series, but overall, the film captures the essence of the series and creates its own unique spin.

5

The Alamo (2004)

Remake of the Álamo (1960)

In a remake of the classic western The AlamoStarring John Wayne, Richard Widmark and Laurence Harvey, this 2004 version sees Dennis Quaid and Billy Bob Thornton take on the legendary roles of Sam Houston and Davy Crockett, respectively. The film chronicles the same historical conflict, The Battle of the Alamo, during the Texas revolution in 1836.featuring larger-than-life characters who fought tooth and nail for each side. The film offers a more detailed look at the battle, with updated techniques and technology that help increase the realism of this version.

Although recreating any Western in which Wayne stars will have its own obvious pitfalls.following the most iconic and beloved actor in the history of the genre, the 2004 version of The Alamo does a convincing job. The film focuses more on character development and the intimate details of the conflict, rather than trying to surpass the original in terms of all-out action. While it may fall a little short in terms of the grandeur and gravitas of the original, Thornton and Quaid deliver some standout performances, and the extra quality in the production really helps elevate the remake overall.

4

The Magnificent Seven (2016)

Remake of the Magnificent Seven (1960)

Antoine Fuqua’s 2016 remake of the classic Western of the same name directed by John Sturges which starred Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen in leading roles, is a faithful homage in many ways. The film follows the same premise, with a wealthy industrialist looking to take control of a small town to extract gold, with the locals hiring a group of eclectic gunmen to defend the town and save their businesses and their lives. The film’s narrative tension builds until a final showdown sees the seven facing off and fighting for more than just dollars and cents.

This film is interesting for a few reasons; Mostly, it’s actually a remake of a remakeas Sturges’ film is a remade version of Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 film Seven Samurai. The films show the same story, albeit with very different settings and characters, with the 2016 film being a faithful adaptation with a cast featuring stars such as Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt giving excellent performances. While the film may lack some of the original’s style and substance, the stunning visuals and high-octane action sequences largely make up for this shortcoming.

3

3:10 To Yuma (2007)

Remake of 3:10 to Yuma (1957)

In one of the best Western remakes in recent memory, 3:10 To Yumadirected by James Mangold, is an updated version of the 1957 film of the same name. The remake stars Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, with Bale playing a disabled veteran-turned-farmer who is given the lucrative task of bringing a notorious outlaw (Crowe) to justice by putting him on a train to Yuma. As expected, the journey is not simple, with vigilantes, Apaches and Wade’s gang invading the area, causing violence and chaos throughout the film.

On the surface, the two films are very similar, with the same plot and a similar overall look in locations and characters, but the remake excels in several different areas. Crowe and Bale’s acting and chemistry are unparalleled, with the two delivering tour de force performances, combined with a more in-depth and intricate character study of the two, with a more emotional and overarching theme to create a better version of the original. The mix of wild action and genuine moments of reflection and sincerity make it one of the best Western remakes of all time.

2

Stagecoach (1966)

Stagecoach remake (1939)

DiligenceDirected by Gordon Douglas, it is a remake of John Ford’s classic 1939 film of the same name, which features big stars such as Ann-Margret and Bing Crosby in leading roles. The film’s plot follows a group of strangers who board a stagecoach heading east.with each one running to or from something featuring a multitude of colorful, unique and intriguing characters. Both films share the same broader perspectives and themes, with an in-depth study of human relationships and social prejudices that are still relevant today.

Douglas offers a new lens on the classic narrative that sees a cast play their roles precisely and with excellent back-and-forth interplay. Both the remake and the original are brilliant character studies that show real development of the roles throughout the journey.with the remake going the extra mile to make the characters more relatable and three-dimensional. Overall it can be argued which version is better, both are absolutely excellent westerns in their own right, with action and a compelling narrative driving the films forward.

1

A Fistful of Dollars (1964)

Remake of Yojimbo (1961)

In the best and perhaps most infamous remake in all of Western cinema, Sergio Leone’s iconic film A handful of dollars 1964 film was an unofficial remake of the Akira Kurosawa film Yojimbo from 1961. Leone’s work sees Clint Eastwood starring as the legendary ‘The Man with No Name’, the gritty gunslinger who would star in two other cinematic collaborations with the director to create ‘The Dollars Trilogy’. The film’s plot sees the gruff antihero pit two families at war against each other so he can benefit from the chaos in a city ravaged by jealousy and greed.

The fact that the film was an unlicensed remake of Kurosawa’s work caused the studio that released Yojimbo to sue and obtain monetary compensation for the infringement. Leone’s interpretation of Kurosawa’s film – separate lawsuits and controversies – sees him create one of the best spaghetti westerns of all time and one that put the subgenre on the map, achieving global critical and commercial success. The masterful direction, artistic cinematography and iconic performances combined with Ennio Morricone’s gorgeous soundtrack make it easily the best western remake of all time.