#1 – Lonesome Dove
Number one on my “12 Best” list is the epic miniseries, Lonesome Dove, based on the book by Larry McMurtry. It stars Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Ricky Schroder, Danny Glover, Diane Lane, and a host of others. Lonesome Dove was released as a four-part miniseries in February of 1989. McMurtry based the book on a screenplay that he had written with Peter Bogdanovich. The original plan was to make a movie starring John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and Jimmy Stewart, but the project never panned out.
Duvall and Jones play a pair of aging Texas Rangers, Captain Augustus “Gus” McCrae and Captain Woodrow F. Call, who operate a livery in the town of Lonesome Dove. The two men decide to go into the cattle business. They plan to drive a herd of Longhorns from Texas to Montana to start a ranch. All of the expected dangers are there along the way; Indians, bandits, weather, prairie fires, treacherous river crossings, horse thieves, and cattle rustling. The film is a pleasant mix of drama, humor, action, and romance. Duvall in particular gives the performance of a lifetime. His character, Gus McCrae, is tough as they come when dealing with enemies like the half-breed Indian bandit, Blue Duck (Frederic Forrest), or surly bartenders, but he is tender-hearted toward the prostitute (Diane Lane) that wants desperately to get to San Francisco. He often waxes philosophical with his partner, Captain Call, and the other members of the Hat-Creek outfit.
Lonesome Dove was nominated for 35 awards, winning 18, including seven Emmys and two Golden Globes.
Mike,
It is an interesting list. I have only seen 2 of these. You make them sound pretty good. I am ready to start the popcorn and settle in for a while. 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Cami, I’m glad you enjoyed the list, and I’m especially glad that I could steer you on to some movies you weren’t familiar with. Pop a lot of popcorn; you’ve got quite a night of great Western movie watching ahead of you.
Yes, you are quite right good Sir! Lol.
Interesting list, Michael. It’s notable that only 4 of your choices are from the ‘classic’ western era, which I would define as 1939-1976. You like the post 1976 stuff better than me, and mini-series. And its obvious ROBERT DUVALL is your man!
Thanks for checking out my list, Andrew, and for commenting. You’ve got me figured out. I think Duvall is the quintessential cowboy. His characterization of Gus McCrae is probably the best performance in all of movie history.
1.Unforgiven
2.The Good the Bad and the Ugly
3.The man who shot Liberty Valance
4.Rio Bravo
5.The Searchers
6.red River
7.Stagecoach
8.Once Upon a Time in the West
9.Highnoon
10.My Darling Clementine
11.Hell or High Water
12.No country for Old Men
You have a couple of interesting choices on there. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is one that I’ve watched multiple times, as is Rio Bravo. As a modern Western, No Country for Old Men would be a good choice. Maybe I should do another list for modern Westerns. Thanks for your comment.
1. Once upon a Time in the West
2. The Searchers
3. The Magnificent Seven ( 1960)
4.Open Range
5. Tombstone
6. Red River (1948)
7. The Man from Laramie
8. Unforgiven
9. How the West was won
10. Hang ’em High
Thanks, Karim. Another great list. I’m beginning to think I should have found room for Tombstone. Maybe I should have made it the 13 Best Western Movies.
1. Unforgiven
2. Once Upon a Time in the West
3.good Bad and the Ugly
4. For a few Dollars more
5. Hang em high
6. Tombstone
7. Shane
8. The Searchers
9. Nevada Smith
10. Outlaw Josie Wales
These are all good ones, Lynn. I actually thought about expanding my list so I could include a few of these, but once I start doing that, there’ll be no end to it. Thanks for your comment.