TheWesternfilm genre is constantly evolving with unique depictions of unlikely heroes, and the revisionist Western sub-genre has proved to be a major factor. What once was a tired genre with a clear sense of good and evil and unrealistic circumstances is now a sophisticated genre with projects that lean more into the less glorified aspects of the West, providing an outstanding cinematic experience.
Whether it be a story that focuses on morally ambiguous protagonists struggling with a drastic change in their lifestyle or a story that blends the classic Western with elements of horror, there have been plenty of revisionist Western installments that prove the sub-genre is alive and thriving. While many filmmakers have brought something unique and exciting to the otherwise stale genre, these are 10 revisionist Westerns that truly stand out among the rest.
10The Wild Bunch (1969)
A controversial picture for its time (and even today) due to its excessive level of violence,The Wild Bunchis a revisionist Western that follows an unsavory group of outlaws in 1913 Texas. In particular, the film focuses on Pike Bishop (William Holden) who feels he is aging out of his life as an outlaw and seeks to retire after one final robbery. While most Western projects during this time featured a clear protagonist and antagonist,The Wild Bunchwas significant for following a group of characters that were downright barbarous, doing whatever they deemed necessary to survive in an ever-changing world.
What Makes The Wild Bunch Great
Written and directed by Sam Peckinpah,The Wild Bunchwas instrumental for its quick-cut action sequences. These segments are seamlessly blended with Peckinpah’s complicated story of friendship, greediness, and betrayal as the film’s protagonist comes to the bitter realization that his best days are behind him. Though this was a significant departure from Western films of the time, this unique perspectivemade viewers empathize with these Outlawsdespite their heinous actions. There have been numerous industry rumblings in recent years of a potential remake ofThe Wild Bunch, though it will be difficult to replicate the distinctive cinematic experience of its predecessor.
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9The Hateful Eight (2016)
The Hateful Eight
The 8th film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino,The Hateful Eightis a whodunit in a Western setting that features a stellar cast and an intriguing mystery that keeps viewers guessing until the credits roll. Eight individuals with checkered pasts are forced to find refuge in Minnie’s Haberdashery during a disastrous blizzard when they discover someone among them may not be who they claim to be in one ofTarantino’s most overlooked entries in his diverse filmography.
What Makes The Hateful Eight Great
Though predominately set in one confined location, one major aspect that setsThe Hateful Eightapart was Tarantino’s bold choice to present the movie in glorious Ultra Panavision 70 mm film, displaying the vast landscapes as the blizzard intensifies. Viewers are treated to numerous backstories of varying reputability, butThe Hateful Eightfeatures a cast so compelling that anyone watching it for the first time will have a difficult time determining where the lies truly begin.
Paired with those engrossing performances is a chilling (if not underutilized) score by Western film legend, Ennio Morricone, who won an Academy Award for his work on this project. TheHateful Eightmay not be as fast-paced as Tarantino’s previous work, but enthusiasts of the filmmaker and the Western genre in general are sure to enjoy this remarkable depiction.
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5 Reasons Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight Is a Western Masterpiece
Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight is one of the greatest Westerns ever made. Here are five reasons why it’s such a special film.
8Django Unchained (2012)
Django Unchained
Just four years beforeThe Hateful Eight, Quentin Tarantino released his love letter to the Spaghetti Western genre withDjango Unchained, a film that follows a rescued slave (Jamie Foxx) on a quest to reunite with his wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington). With the help of a German bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), Django learns Broomhilda has become a slave to Calvin J. Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio) and the two must attempt to buy her freedom. Tarantino also wrote a comic book adaptation of the movie, as well as a sequel series,Django/Zorro, co-written by Matt Wagner.
What Makes Django Unchained Great
Django Unchainedboasts an exceptional ensemble cast that expertly navigates between the comedic and more unsettling moments displayed throughout the story. The monstrous portrayal of Calvin J. Candieremains one of Leonardo DiCaprio’s bestand receives particular praise among film enthusiasts, specifically his broken glass scene. DiCaprio’s ability to maintain his composure and keep in character amid his evident injury received a standing ovation from his fellow cast members (and Tarantino himself.)
Though exaggerated in various aspects,Django Unchainedis a unique and empowering depiction of slavery in Quentin Tarantino’s signature style. Over-the-top action, effortlessly witty dialogue, and engaging performances makeDjango Unchaineda revisionist Western worthy of multiple viewings.
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7Django (1966)
Before Jamie Foxx, Franco Nero was the original protagonist inDjango.Django, a former Union soldier, is a drifter dragging a suspicious coffin across the Mexico-United States Border before vowing to protect Maria (Loredana Nusciak), a prostitute who is nearly killed by former Confederate officer Major Jackson (Eduardo Fajardo) and his Red Shirts. Inspired by Akira Kurosawa’sYojimbo,Djangowas meant to rival the success of Sergio Leone’sA Fistful of Dollars(yet another spaghetti Western that drew heavily fromYojimbo). Controversial for its time,Djangohas developed a significant cult following since the film’s inception.
What Makes Django Great
While initially met with negative critical response for its excessive level of violence,Djangowas a considerable financial success in Italy. The film even inspirednumerous unofficial sequelsattempting to capitalize on the popularity of the character. WhenDjangomade its way to American audiences for a limited theatrical run in Los Angeles, it garnered significant praise from critics for its originality and elements of humor in Sergio Corbucci’s script. Though it took decades for the project to get the attention it deserved upon release, Franco Nero’s portrayal as the grizzled cowboy seemingly desensitized by the vicious world around him has cementedDjangoas one of the most thrilling revisionist Westerns.
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Described by the film’s writer and director Jim Jarmusch as a “Psychedelic Western,“Dead Manfollows William Blake (Johnny Depp), an accountant in Cleveland, Ohio who finds himself caught in the crossfire of a lover’s quarrel between former prostitute Thel Russell (Mili Avital) and her ex-boyfriend Charlie Dickinson (Gabriel Byrne). Left with no other choice, Blake is forced to murder Charlie and get out of town before being caught by Charlie’s father (Robert Mitchum) and his hired guns. Along the way, he partners with a Native American man (Gary Farmer) by the name of “Nobody.”
While initially met with varied responses from critics,Dead Manhas received favorable acclaim in recent yearsfor its well-researched depiction of different Native American tribes and Neil Young’s eerie score. The score was mostly improvised during a private screening ofDead Manin a recording booth. Jarmusch chose to use Young’s improvised tracks as he felt it would pair well with the project’s spontaneous narrative. Though William Blake is not a typical Western protagonist, viewers will become engrossed in his journey of self-reflection as he attempts to flee from the growing bounty on his head.
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5Bone Tomahawk (2015)
Bone Tomahawk
While it may not be common for a Western film to blend with the horror genre, screenwriter and novelist S. Craig Zahler does it to stomach-churning results withBone Tomahawk. When three townsfolk are thought to have been captured by a cannibalistic Native American tribe commonly referred to as “Troglodytes,” Sheriff Franklin Hunt (Kurt Russell) is forced to form a rescue team to save them from certain demise.
What Makes Bone Tomahawk Great
ThoughBone TomahawkwasS. Craig Zahler’s directorial debut, it was the fifth Western project he had professionally written. Kurt Russell has commended Zahler for his directing as well as his style of writing, stating that he considers this project to be a graphic western rather than a horror western. This is due to Zahler placing a specific focus on the ensemble cast’s actions and emotions rather than their dialogue.
Despite this,Bone Tomahawkhas received particular acclaim for Zahler’s uncanny ability to blend two genres typically foreign to one another into a gripping (and often appalling) cinematic experience.Bone Tomahawkmay not be ideal for the squeamish, but it boasts an extraordinary ensemble cast and an unusual story viewers will have to see to believe.
4Tombstone (1993)
Based on history’s most iconic figures of the West,Tombstonesees Kurt Russell portray Wyatt Earp, a world-famous and recently retired lawman who uses his wits to intimidate the outlaws he faces.Tombstoneloosely depicts the gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the Earp Vendetta Ride while simultaneously shining a light on Earp’s unbreakable bond with his family. The project was a financial success upon release and remains a cult classic for enthusiasts of the revisionist Western subgenre.
What Makes Tombstone Great
Since its release,Tombstonehas received immense critical acclaimfor the performances of its leading men. In particular, Val Kilmer’s now iconic portrayal of Earp’s longtime friend Doc Holliday received admiration from fans and critics alike. These engrossing performances added layers to what could have been another run-of-the-mill representation of the West by portraying Earp as a brother and a friend doing whatever it takes to keep those around him safe. Just as action-packed as it is emotionally engaging,Tombstonechecks every box and remains one of the most heartfelt depictions of the West.
15 Tombstone Facts You Never Knew Until Now
From Kurt Russell being the real director behind Tombstone, to missing Earps and rare Doc Holliday trivia, there’s a lot you may not know about this fan-favorite Western.
3Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Brokeback Mountain
Instrumental in the revisionist Western genre as well as in LGBTQ+ filmmaking,Brokeback Mountainis a film that follows the controversial relationship of cowboys Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal), chronicling their 20-year-spanning love affair from 1963 to 1983. The film was adapted from Annie Proulx’s 1997 short story of the same name, and development of the film began as soon as screenwriter Diana Ossana read the story (only a few days after its publication) and approached Proulx for permission to adapt it into a screenplay.
What Makes Brokeback Mountain Great
Though controversial during its initial release,Brokeback Mountainchallenges the typical masculine stereotypes portrayed in Westerns of the past in favor of a raw, vulnerable portrayal of two men who are forced to hide who they truly are to keep out of harm’s way.Brokeback Mountaincontinues to be culturally significant as an LGBTQ+ movie, but it also remains one of the most genuine revisionist Westerns, showing a perspective of fear not regularly seen in the genre. The film is equally tragic as it is moving and is sure to remain a stepping stone in cinematic history.
2Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
Co-written and directed by veteran Western filmmaker, Sergio Leone,Once Upon a Time in the Westwas a slight departure from the previously releasedDollars Trilogythat made him a pillar of the genre. While the project is without a doubt one of Leone’s strongest entries in his quintessential filmography,Once Upon a Time in the Westfeatured a darker, more realistic tone than his previous installments, paving the way for various prominent Revisionist Westerns to come.
What Makes Once Upon a Time in the West Great
Henry Fonda’s depiction of the film’s central antagonist was a significant departure from the heroic roles he was typically typecast for. Still, he proves himself to be a compelling antagonist in this project. Though initially criticized for departing from the quick-paced style Sergio Leone was known for,Once Upon a Time in the Westfocuses on building suspense around the inevitable shootouts, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats until they hear the distinctive sound of Charles Bronson’s harmonica before chaos ensues. Released in an era where the industry was flooded with the same generic Spaghetti Western stories,Once Upon a Time in the Westremains as influential to the genre today as it was during its inception.
The Good the Bad and the Ugly
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a Spaghetti Western directed by Sergio Leone, scored by Ennio Morricone, and starring Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach as three gunslingers who compete for a cache of Confederate gold during the American Civil War. The 1966 film is regarded as one of the greatest Westerns of all time.
The third entry in Sergio Leone’s iconicDollars Trilogy,The Good, the Bad, and the Uglysees Clint Eastwood reprising his role as “The Man With No Name.” On a journey to obtain $200,000 worth of gold, Eastwood’s character is required to join forces with Tuco (Eli Wallach) to determine where the gold is buried. Although the film was released during a time when critics felt the genre was soon to be a thing of the past, the film is widely considered to be Clint Eastwood’s claim to fame.
Sergio Leone made this movie with the intent of retiring from the Western genre, as he felt he said what he needed to say. Despite this disdain, Leone provides a cinematic experience with the perfect balance of action and suspense, set to the tone of Ennio Morricone’s instantly recognizable score.The Good, the Bad, and the Uglyhas been classified as the definitive Spaghetti Westernand continues to influence subsequent films in the ever-expanding revisionist Western genre.
