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Most westerns are "formula" movies. They are variations on a limited number of plots like the ageing gunman or outlaw trying to escape his past, townspeople or farmers oppressed by a powerful landowner or businessman saved by heroic outsiders, or Indian uprisings.
Some, however, break the mold. some of my favorites are:
"Two Rode Together" - Richard Widmark and Jimmy Stewart play a straight arrow army officer and an unscrupulous lawman tasked with retrieving white captives taken as children by Comanche War Chief Quanah Parker and returning them to their families. Very well done with multiple sub-plot lines and an excellent supporting cast.
"No Name on the Bullet" - Audie Murphy in one of his best efforts as a hired killer with a different method for getting the job done. He rides into the town where his intended victim lives and announces who he is knowing this will probably panic the intended victim into a situation where he can do the job and claim self defense. Of course this leads a lot of people in town to wonder "is it me???"
"Big Hand for the Little Lady" - Swindlers (Henry Fonda and Joanne Woodward) use unusual methods to chisel local rich townspeople out of their money. Excellent cast with many plot twists.
So what are some of yours?
Some, however, break the mold. some of my favorites are:
"Two Rode Together" - Richard Widmark and Jimmy Stewart play a straight arrow army officer and an unscrupulous lawman tasked with retrieving white captives taken as children by Comanche War Chief Quanah Parker and returning them to their families. Very well done with multiple sub-plot lines and an excellent supporting cast.
"No Name on the Bullet" - Audie Murphy in one of his best efforts as a hired killer with a different method for getting the job done. He rides into the town where his intended victim lives and announces who he is knowing this will probably panic the intended victim into a situation where he can do the job and claim self defense. Of course this leads a lot of people in town to wonder "is it me???"
"Big Hand for the Little Lady" - Swindlers (Henry Fonda and Joanne Woodward) use unusual methods to chisel local rich townspeople out of their money. Excellent cast with many plot twists.
So what are some of yours?
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