The 10 most cited western film characters of all time

While a great quote can come from any character, certain fictional individuals seemed to possess a gift for the art of the one-liner, consistently coming up with a selection of memorable quotes, including in Westerns. Naturally, it all comes down to writing. A good script with memorable lines will help establish a character while also elevating the overall quality and memorability of the film.

The most quotable movie characters of all time can be found in a wide variety of different genres, and westerns are no exception. These characters have been featured in every type of Western film imaginable, from highly underrated remakes that deserve more love to the best spaghetti westerns for Tarantino fans. The genre hosts an attractive cast of bandits, gunmen and lawmen from different cinematic periods that are currently considered as the most cited western film characters of all time.

10

Mattie Ross

True Courage (2010)

The star of 2010 True courage, Hailee Steinfeld has one of the most impressive roles in recent memory. The actress' performance as Mattie Ross in the Coen brothers' remake of the 1969 original earned her an Oscar nomination at the age of thirteen, with the Pitch perfect star bringing to life one of the most cited modern characters in the Western genre.

Possessing a sharp intelligence that belies his young age, Mattie dishes out a series of memorable and witty insults throughout the film, with his sarcastic consolation of Matt Damon's LaBoeuf via the pithy quote “I'm sorry you were fooled all winter by an idiot.” serving as a particular highlight. She also produces the most iconic catchphrase from the acclaimed film, informing Jeff Bridges' Rooster Cogburn that “They told me you are a man with true courage” to symbolize your courage and mental determination.

9

Ben Wade

3:10 to Yuma (2007)

One of the best Western movie villains of all time, Russell Crowe's Ben Wade owes much of his aura of mystique to a series of catchphrases, making him one of the most quoted characters in the genre. When he is not reciting scripture or singing, the main antagonist of 2007 3:10 to Yuma He is a calm customer. Wade memorably taunts his enemies with barely concealed amusement, mocking them with sarcastic lines like “It's probably cheaper to let me steal the damn thing.” or “The day I die, Byron, I will leave hell.”

Highlighting his moral complexity and compelling nature through his insistence that he would not be “leading a team like this if I didn't suck”, Crowe's prosecution is far from an irredeemable antagonist. However, a key factor behind his status as one of the genre's premier villains is his capacity for ruthless retribution, a state of affairs demonstrated by one of his most quoted catchphrases. Escaping his bonds to grab Peter Fonda's Byron after he insults Wade's mother, Crowe's protégé coldly informs him that “even bad men love their mothers” before throwing Pinkerton off a cliff.

8

William Munny

Unforgiven (1992)

One of Clint Eastwood's darkest characters, aging gunslinger William Munny is responsible for many of the Unforgivable most memorable quotes. The main character of the 1993 Oscar-winning western, Munny's transformation into one of the genre's most formidable vessels of revenge following the death of his friend, Morgan Freeman's Ned Logan, presents the perfect opportunity for some unforgettably dialogue. threatening.

An Ominous Warning to Gene Hackman's Bill Daggett, Munny's declaration that “I've killed everything that walks or crawls at one time or another. And I'm here to kill you, Little Bill, for what you did to Ned!” is easily one of the most chilling one-liners in the genre. Ending things with a sinister flourish, Eastwood's immortal and endlessly imitated signature “Deserving has nothing to do with it” while Dagget begs for mercy serves to reinforce his image as one of the genre's most formidable characters.

7

Daniel Plainview

There Will Be Blood (2007)

Widely considered one of the best and most influential films of the 21st century, the 2007 neo-Western classic There will be blood features Oscar-winning human magnet Daniel Day-Lewis in the lead role of Daniel Plainview. One of Day-Lewis' best film roles, the near-sociopathic oil baron features several exemplary quotes throughout Paul Thomas Anderson's acclaimed film that highlight his immeasurable greed and lack of morality.

From the iconic “I drink your milkshake!” I quote that the film is now synonymous with selfish monologues like “I have a competition inside me… I don't want anyone else to succeed” Plainview presents a series of superb quotes that perfectly embody the cruelty of capitalism. Plainview's catchphrase about “I abandoned my son! I abandoned my son!” has also been memorized to death in recent years, with Day-Lewis' impassioned roars often used to parody everyday moments.

6

Marquis Warren

The Hateful Eight (2015)

Quentin Tarantino's second acclaimed Western film in a row and the rare film where all the characters are horrible, 2015 The Hateful Eight boasts one of the most quotable casts in cinema history, courtesy of a sharp script and pitch-perfect delivery. The film's standout quotable character takes the form of Samuel L. Jackson's Major Marquis Warren, an experienced bounty hunter whose modus operandi can best be exemplified by the deadpan quote, “Bringing desperate men alive is a good way to die.”

A smart veteran whose world-weariness is reflected in his memorable dialogue, Warren believes that “the only time black people are safe is when white people are unarmed” courtesy of his experiences during the US Civil War. To top it off, he's filled with Jackson's unique brand of Tarantino-style profanity, roaring obscenities like “What do you think of this, you crazy castrator!” in Jodie Domergue, by Channing Tatum, after he shoots her in the genitals.

5

José Gales

The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)

One of Clint Eastwood's best films, the infinitely underrated Josey Wales represents one of the most cited fictional faces of the American cinema icon. The titular character of 1976 Outlaw Josey Wales, The vengeful Eastwood farmer turned soldier and gunslinger after his family's murder is responsible for some of the genre's harshest lines. Prominent examples of the outlaw include people like “Dying isn't exactly a living boy” or “Are you going to draw those pistols or whistle at Dixie?”

It is an appropriate situation, given Wales' reputation as a merciless killer of the highest order. With that said, he's also one of Eastwood's most nuanced characters, courtesy of a tragic backstory and a powerful performance from Dirty Harry star. One of Wales' most iconic quotes reflects the tragic nature of this character, with its enduring final line of “I think we all died a little in that damn war” serving as a poignant reminder of all he has lost.

4

Anton Chigurh

No Country for Old Men (2007)

One of legendary author Cormac McCarthy's most iconic characters, psychopathic killer Anton Chigurh is the main antagonist of 2007. There is no country for old people; controversially the best neo-western film ever made. A ruthless killer with a sinister habit of calling people “friend,” Chigurh is known for his repertoire of immortal verses, exemplifying his nature as a merciless killer with menacing one-liners in the style of “What's the most you've ever lost at coin toss?”

Ironically, for one of the genre's most cited characters, the taciturn Chigurh rarely speaks, underlining the memorable nature of his sinister dialogue. In contrast to his complete lack of mercy, Bardem's accusation can even be seen as injecting a series of dark humor into his speech, deadpan lines like “Do you see me?” to a terrified witness to one of his murders when he asks if Chigurh plans to kill him too.

3

Django Freeman

Django Unchained (2012)

Instantly quotable characters are Quentin Tarantino's specialtyso it's no surprise that 2012 Django Unchained houses several of them. Christoph Waltz's King Schultz and Leonardo DiCaprio's Calvin Candie have an exceptional talent for classic one-liners, but they ultimately pale in comparison to the badass aura of the titular character's long list of iconic one-liners. Jamie Foxx's accusation results in some of the Django Unchained greatest quotes including “I like the way you die, boy!” and “You're going to be together with Calvin at the By-and-By… just a little earlier than you expected.”

Although Django's touching bond with his wife Broomhilda is exemplified by memorable quotes such as “Hey, little troublemaker,” It is primarily the bounty hunter's ruthless nature that is exemplified by his most memorable lines. Ultimately, Foxx's iconic accusation is a killer with ice running through his veins, a situation underscored by deadpan quotes like “DJANGO OD is silent.”

2

The nameless man

Dollars Trilogy by Sergio Leone (1964-1966)

This says a lot about the seminal nature of The Man With No Name's dialogue throughout Sergio Leone. Dollars trilogy that, although Clint Eastwood's character rarely speaks, he is universally considered one of the most quotable characters in the genre. Although the character often threatens his enemies with quotes such as “Dead or alive? The choice is yours.” he is also known for philosophical reflections on the canine nature of the Old West, with verses such as “When a man has money in his pocket, he begins to appreciate peace.”

Eastwood's best lines as the Man With No Name include iconic names like “Prepare three coffins…” and “See, in this world there are two types of people, my friend. Those with loaded guns and those who dig.” Carving a niche as one of the most cited characters in popular culture throughout the Dollars trilogy, The Man With No Name's greatest one-liners serve to highlight into sharp relief the icy nature of Eastwood's cigar-chomping gunslinger.

1

Doctor Holliday

Tombstone (1993)

Contentious, the best supporting role in the Western genre by an A-Lister, Superior weapon stars in Val Kilmer's arc as the sickly gunslinger Doc Holliday in 1993 Tombstone It is without a doubt the actor's best work in a historic career. A fervent friend of protagonist Wyatt Earp, Kilmer's inimitable protégé is one of cinema's most memorable Western faces. As such, it is not surprising that the acid-tongued individual behind lines like “I'm Your Huckleberry” and “I haven’t started to contaminate myself yet,” He is also one of the most cited characters in cinema.

Holliday's best quotes perfectly reflect his nature as an individual, with Kilmer's iconic one-liners capturing a snapshot of this remarkable individual's bravery, loyalty, and intelligence. However, he often saves his best work for his nemesis, taunting Michael Biehn's Johnny Ringo with cool lines like “It looks like someone just walked over your grave.” An individual capable of delivering a scathing catchphrase even while lying on his deathbed, Holliday is the most cited Western film character of all time.