The 10 best westerns based on books

The popularity of the West The genre has endured for decades, with some of the greatest films in the genre having literary roots. Authors like Lauran Paine and Ron Hansen have successfully captured the gritty landscape and character types of the Western genre in their writing and directors have elevated their work using their film knowledge. The Old West provides an ideal setting for themes of conflict and individualism. Directors like John Ford and the Coen brothers use their skills to actualize such factors in the visual medium.

often, There are books that have been trying to expand the western genre that inspire innovative directors Because of their added components of other genres like comedy and crime. Unlike some of the worst book-to-film adaptations, many of those in the Western genre are faithful to the original text. There are countless examples of Western films inspired by books, but a few stand out more than the rest.

10

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

Based on a novel of the same name by Ron Hansen

In the early 80s, Ron Hansen, known for his stories about the Old West, wrote the book that The assassination of Jesse James by the coward Robert Ford is based on. The film and the book are about the relationship between the titular character, and the events that lead to Jesse’s death.

Andrew Dominic’s film earned high levels of praise from critics, but when adapting a popular book for the big screen, one of the toughest critics can be the author of the original text. When reflecting on his career and relationship with the Old West, Hansen spoke positively of the detail and thoroughness in Dominique’s writingsaid “Andrew Dominick’s superb script was extremely faithful to the novel.“(by True West).

Considering his knowledge of the period in history, Hansen was a crucial figure to have on set. While on set, Hansen provided input on the accuracy of the film and even made a cameo in the film as a news reporter.

9

Appaloosa (2008)

Based on Appaloosa by Robert B. Parker

Robert B. Parker, known for writing novels in the mystery genre, infused elements of crime in his 2005 book, Appaloosa. Impressed with Parker’s ability to write a classic western story with added themes of crime, Ed Harris bought the rights to the book and asked Parker to translate his work into a screenplay For the actor’s second directorial effort. Harris also stars in the film and is joined by Viggo Mortensen, Renée Zellweger and Jeremy Irons.

differentiated itself from other western films, Appaloosa Pick apart the psychology of letters in the Old West, Minimizing the number of guns and action scenes typically associated with the genre. Zellweger’s character too, a widow and love interest, has more depth than most female characters in Westerns. yet, Appaloosa Entertaining all the way, partly because of its performances.

8

Open Range (2003)

Based on The Open Chain People by Lauren Payne

Lauren Payne, who specialized in Western fiction, wrote many books throughout his career, two of which earned film adaptations. Payne S Law man And The open range people are made in the films The silent gun And Open Rangerespectively. The story of the latter follows cattle drivers who find themselves in a confrontation with corrupt law officials. Kevin Costner both directed and directed Open Range Along with Robert Duvall, and the two neatly complemented each other on screen.

Open Range Is not as full of action as other western films, however It is a notable gunfight that has been consistently singled out by critics as one of the best in the genre.. Although gunfights are nothing new in Western films, this skillfully crafted scene stands out. Costner sought to avoid so much slow motion during the sequence to achieve a realistic appearance and made a point of having the people in the town evacuate the area, as most Westerns show the town gathering around to see the action.

7

The Revenant (2015)

Based on The Revenant: A Revenge Novel by Michael Punke

Hugh Glass is a famous American frontiersman who was left for dead by others while on an expedition after he was believed to have been killed as a result of a vicious bear attack. The history of glass is the inspiration for Michael Punke The Revenant: A Novel of RevengeWhich describes the events of the expedition. The book was eventually adapted into a film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, which took years to begin filming after multiple delays.

finally, The Revenant He drew praise and many award nominations, including Best Actor at the Academy Awards for Leonardo DiCaprio as Glass. The book and film have achieved similar recognition for their depiction of the human spirit and glass’ determination. Punke’s writing is descriptive and effective, and Iñárritu brings it to life, showing how the frigid and unforgiving weather is an obstacle for Glass to overcome to achieve his goals.

6

Little Big Man (1970)

Based on Little Big Man by Thomas Berger

After years of unsuccessful attempts by Marlon Brando to secure the support for a film adaptation of Thomas Berger. Little big manThe film was in the hands of director Arthur Penn. Berger’s book is about a 111-year-old man named Jack Crabb, who is raised by the Cheyenne nation and spends much of the novel going back and forth between white and indigenous society. through his travels, Themes of alienation and identity are introduced in a way that satirizes what audiences know about the Western genre.

Because of its comic elements, Little big man Works extremely well as a film. Little big man Considered a revisionist western film but includes elements of various genres, such as comedy and adventure. Dustin Hoffman leads the film as an old-up Jack Crabbe and is supported by actors such as Chief Dan George and Faye Dunaway. For his ability to seamlessly fuse comedic elements into his overall sympathetic message, Little big man has continued to earn widespread acclaim over the years.

5

beautiful (1953)

Based on Shane by Jack Schaefer

Often considered to be one of the best westerns of all time, nice Tells the story of a former gunslinger finding his way back into violent action to protect a family whose farm he works on. The title character, played by Alan Ladd, forms an especially close relationship with the family kid, Joey (Brandon deWilde). niceIts emotional ending, which sees the two characters’ budding friendship cut short, is thought to be one of the best endings in a Western film.

nice is full of common Western tropes, including the desire to leave behind one’s violent past And the clear difference between good and bad characters in the story. It is the comprehensible ideas and the strong performance of the film that have allowed nice To become a favorite of the West. Much like the film version of niceThe book written by Jack Schaefer received similar recognition. Although he portrayed Shane as a more brooding character, Schaefer is still happy with the film.

4

The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)

Based on The Rebel Outlaw: Josey Wales by Asa Carter

The title role in The bandit Josie Wales is often considered one of Clint Eastwood’s best Western characters. The anti-hero is the focus of the story as he sets out for revenge against Union soldiers after his family is killed. The bandit Josie WalesOne of the earliest films directed by Eastwood, shows that the star is guaranteed a promising career not only as a leading man but also as a filmmaker.

The revisionist western film is based on The Rebel Outlaw: Josie Wales By Asa Earl Carter, who went by the name Forrest Carter at the time of its release. Although there is much controversy surrounding Carter’s career and mistaken identity, The story inside The bandit Josie Wales Further praise is given. Factors that play into such praise include Eastwood’s strong performance as the anti-hero and The bandit Josie Wales‘ Themes about the effects of war, especially the Civil War.

3

True Grit (2010)

Based on True Grit by Charles Portis

Adapted into two films, Charles Portis’ True size is a story about a young girl on the hunt for her father’s killer. Before being adapted into a film, True size It was already seen as an exemplary American novel. The first film was released in 1969 and starred Kim Darby as the young girl Mattie Ross and John Wayne as Reuben Cogburn, an American marshal who helps her out.

Although the film was a success, The remake of the Coen brothers True size 2010 is thought to be the better of the two. The remake of True size is closer to Portis’s story, both in that it centers more on the character of Matty (played effectively by a young Haile Steinfeld) and has a serious, realistic tone than the book. Although it did not win any awards at the ceremony, True size Has 10 Academy Award nominations and continues to be thought of as one of the best films by the Coens.

2

No Country for Old Men (2007)

Based on No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

Initially receiving mixed reviews when it was first published, The Story in Cormac McCarthy’s No country for old people would soon become a massive success when it was adapted into a highly faithful film. The Cohen brothers directed No country for old peopleWhat follows Llewelyn (Josh Brolin), A man who comes into a large sum of money, Anton (Javier Bardem), a hitman after the money, and Ed (Tommy Lee Jones), a sheriff who is charged with investigating the crime.

The Coen brothers said they were immediately interested in directing the film when it was brought to them. in No country for old peopleMcCarthy doesn’t have a formulaic narrative And the subject of the genre is what spoke to the directors. The best example of this is in No country for old peopleIt’s the end. There is no grand final confrontation or traditional winners seen in other Western films.

1

The Searchers (1956)

Based on The Searchers by Alan Le May

Alan Le May was a novelist and screenplay writer who had two of his most notable works adapted into film. One of the books was The searchersWhich was made into a film directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne. The searchers Centers around a search led by a Civil War veteran looking for his abducted niece. bound to happen with film adaptations of books, There are several differences between Le May’s book and Ford’s film, most notably the ending.

yet, The searchers is a quintessential western film because of its cinematography, which helped change how westerns were filmed going forward. moreover, The searchers Tells a story that highlights the mysteries of indigenous people, as recorded in history and depicted in other western films. Ford was not the first to deal with the subject in a film, but it was not common to see at the time. years after The searchers‘ Success, fellow acclaimed directors have paid homage to Ford’s work, including Martin Sorcerer and Steven Spielberg.