The 10 best spaghetti westerns for people who love Quentin Tarantino films

One of the best-known niches in Western genre are films made in Italy during the height of Western cinema's popularity, commonly known as Spaghetti Westerns. Highly influential thanks to their political discussions, historical relevance and blood that crosses borders, Spaghetti Westerns have inspired great filmmakers across many genres, particularly those who made contemporary westerns. One of the most famous modern directors of Westerns and known for his violent stories, Quentin Tarantino, makes films for audiences who would respond well to the classic genre.

Many of Quentin Tarantino's best film characters share characteristics of the iconic antiheroes found in classic Spaghetti Westerns. Facing the role of isolation and justice in the so-called “lawless” West, these characters are often forced to question their own positions as forces of good or evil. While the graphic imagery and fast-paced fight sequences are definitive aspects of Tarantino's filmography, That's not all these Spaghetti Westerns have to offer. With complex political discussions and plenty of humor, these films have become iconic pieces of history for a reason.

10

Django (1966)

Directed bySérgio Corbucci

From the title alone, it's easy to see why this film would be essential for any Tarantino fan, as inspired the filmmaker's 2012 film, Django Unchained. Directed by Sergio Corbucci, one of the heavyweights of the Spaghetti Western genre, Django is the original film that started a sizable franchise. The star and first actor to bring the character Django to life, Franco Nero, did not return as Django in all installments. However, he continued to make a name for himself as one of the biggest Western stars of his time in works such as Keoma and The Mercenary.

At the time of its release, Django it was considered extremely violent. Although the on-screen gore is more typical of the contemporary era, Django is not suitable for viewers who don't like seeing blood. Unafraid to push the genre to its limits and engage with the darkest corners of the Western world, works like Tarantino's wouldn't exist without Django. Full of morally questionable characters and graphic images, Django has been a cornerstone of dramatic violence on screen for decades.

9

Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

Directed by Sérgio Leone

Directed by Sergio Leone, arguably the most famous Spaghetti Western filmmaker, Once Upon a Time in the West presents some of the best characters from Sergio Leone's westerns. Even if the public hasn't seen it Once Upon a Time in the Westit is likely that they have been impacted by its influence. Tarantino Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is far from the only film that pays homage to the film with its title and takes inspiration from its iconic story. Henry Fonda leads the cast in an unexpected turn as the terrifying villain Frank, who is as horrible as Tarantino's worst antagonists.

Widely regarded as one of the best spaghetti westerns of all time, Once Upon a Time in the West is the definitive work of this era and genre, becoming synonymous with what a western should be. Tarantino cited the film as inspiration for his work, as well as other prominent filmmakers seeking to explore the violence and individualism that have marked much of the tradition of American history. Despite its significant extension, Once Upon a Time in the West It earns its running time and engages the audience from beginning to end.

8

The Great Silence (1968)

Directed bySérgio Corbucci

One of the darkest Spaghetti Westerns, The Great Silencehas influenced many great modern filmmakers, not just Tarantino. Immediately, The Great Silence It is distinguished by its style and setting, as it is set in the mountains of Utah, with director Corbucci filming in the Italian Dolomites. Often discussed with the same veneration as Corbucci's earlier work, Django, The Great Silence stars Jean-Louis Trintignant as the titular Silence, who cuts his way through the mountains with deadly precision.

The original dark ending of The Great Silence it's on par with the drama and intensity of the final battles, shootouts, and explosions that Tarantino is known for. Like Corbucci, Tarantino is not afraid to end a film with the death of his heroes, and The Great Silence is the perfect film for audiences who appreciate Tarantino's willingness to push his characters to the limit. As far as Western heroes go, Silence may be as silent as the name suggests, but it is incredibly memorable.

7

They Call Me Trinity (1970)

Directed by Enzo Barboni

Infusing comedic elements into the Western genre without ever skimping on gunplay intrigue, They, call me Trinity pokes fun at the weirdest parts of Spaghetti Westerns. Terence Hill stars as Trinity, one of the bumbling would-be heroes trying to save the day in They call me Trinity. This wouldn't be Hill's only starring role in a Western comedy, as the actor had the perfect blend of rugged good looks and hilarious comedic timing. Bud Spencer joins him as Trinity's brother Bambino, and the two have excellent on-screen chemistry.

Two more films in Trinity series would be produced. Trinity is still my nameand much later Children of the Trinity followed the original. However, They call me Trinity remains the most compelling and fun addition to the little franchise. The brother's dynamic and misguided actions The story's heroes resemble the comedic-inclined protagonists of some Tarantino films. With a lighter narrative and more digestible violence, They call me Trinity is a strong contender for one of the most accessible Spaghetti Westerns.

6

The Big Gunfight (1966)

Directed by Sérgio Sollima

The concept of the heroic lone bounty hunter and his brand of solitary justice is questioned in The big shootout, which stars the iconic Lee Van Cleef as the conflicted hero, Colorado. Manipulated into pursuing Cuchillo (Tomas Milian) for a violent crime committed by the powerful and wealthy Brokston (Walter Barnes), Colorado must decide what kind of revenge he wants to carry out by the end of the film. In the course of time, The big shootout has reached the forefront of lesser-known Spaghetti Westerns that deserve reevaluation.

The midway turnaround The big shootout consolidates the film as an exciting and important part of the Spaghetti Western oeuvre. Plenty of action and intrigue keep the plot moving forward, but ultimately it's the internal battle taking place in Colorado that keeps viewers engaged until the film's final moments. Tarantino also addressed this romanticization of the wandering hero and how this isolation can easily be used against these vigilantes.

5

A Bullet for the General (1966)

Directed by Damiano Damiani

Full of action and emotion, Damiano Damiani A bullet for the general is an early example of how political the Spaghetti Western genre would become. Although Tarantino often concerns himself with revisionist history, it is clear that the political overtones presented in works such as A bullet for the general had a significant influence on him. Gian Maria Volonté and Lou Castel star in the film as Chucho and Bill, and their complex relationship is used as an allegory for how the story deals with revolution.

While is clearly in favor of liberation and revolution over personal gain and foreign intervention, A bullet for the general can be interpreted in many ways. However, its lasting impact is largely due to the relevance of the narrative at the time of its release and the way it has stood the test of time into the contemporary era. A bullet for the generalTarantino's interest in historical discussions and well-choreographed action sequences speaks to Tarantino's own incorporation of world history into his work and his violent style.

4

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

Directed by Sérgio Leone

While it is far from an unknown or underrated addition to the Spaghetti Western genre, at least one collaboration between Clint Eastwood and Sergio Leone should be discussed. One of the most beloved westerns of all time, The Good, the Bad and the Uglyis the last film of Dollar Trilogy and one of the most highly regarded of these films. Since its release, time has only increased the reverence and popularity of the The Good, the Bad and the Uglyand the way directors like Tarantino pay homage to his influence is part of the reason.

It's difficult to find a protagonist in the Western genre whose creation was at least partially inspired by Eastwood and his numerous contributions to the genre. However The Good, the Bad and the Ugly It's not generally ranked as Eastwood's best, it's on the list of his most impressive Westerns. The development of the characters and their relationships is fantastic, and the film hints at the final twist while using violence to drive the story forward advance. These are all skillful tactics that can be seen in Tarantino's work.

3

My name is nobody (1973)

Directed by Tonino Valerii

One of the most underrated Western comedies, My name is nobody starring Terence Hill and Henry Fonda as Nobody and his gunslinger mentor, Jack Beauregard. Playing with the trope of the elderly hero teaching and being usurped by the young upstart, My name is nobody is a much less serious Western, as it is committed to mocking the formulas and archetypes of the genre. This subversion is an early form of what Tarantino does with his tributes to many classic genres, such as westerns, martial arts films, and war films.

Although Tarantino's work is typically defined by violence and gore, the wit and sense of humor that permeates his scripts are also evident. While My name is nobody leans into the sillier moments with physical comedy and slapstick humor, which ties into the dark comedy that defines Tarantino's films. There is clearly love and respect for all forms of Westerns in My name is nobody, characteristics that also appear in Tarantino's work.

2

Duck, you idiot! / A Fistful of Dynamite (1971)

Directed by Sérgio Leone

Known as both Duck, you idiot! and A handful of dynamiteThis film was the second installment of Leone's series Once Upon a Time Trilogythat started with Once Upon a Time in the West. Although the original film is the best known of the informal trilogy, Duck, you idiot! is a fun and often overlooked part of Leone's work. Starring Rod Steiger and James Coburn as Juan and John, a pair of revolutionaries who come to trust each other, Duck, you idiot! struggles with the role of revolution in cinema, especially westerns.

However Duck, you idiot! is a victim of the inherent prejudice and racism that prevailed in the Western genre during this period, there is still merit to be found in the story. When compared to Tarantino's contemporary films, it is clear that Tarantino uses past conflicts and revolutions as a way to discuss current unrest in the same way that Leone does. The characters in Duck, you idiot! are so disillusioned with what they are fighting for, and this can be interpreted as Leone's feelings towards Italy during this period.

1

Death Rides a Horse (1967)

Directed by Giulio Petroni

However Death rides a horse It didn't receive the critical acclaim of other Westerns of its era, it's still a great addition to the genre and connects to Tarantino's work. Starring Lee Van Cleef, an iconic western actor known for playing heroes and villains, Death rides a horse sees an unlikely bond form between his character Ryan and John Phillip Law's Bill. Entwined by fate and the desire for revenge, Ryan and Bill set out on an action-packed journey to track down the bad guys who wronged them.

Revenge is a pervasive and significant theme in Western genre, and Tarantino was clearly inspired by it, allowing it to influence his own work. Seeing two reluctant allies work together toward their bloody common goal and witnessing how their personalities clash but complement each other is a well-known dynamic in Tarantino's work. Although the pace is slower, Death rides a horse it's most notable for Van Cleef and Law's performances, which Tarantino fans will appreciate.