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Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2026 3:25 pm
by CT_Shooter
I like westerns a lot. I've watched just about all of the available TV Westerns that exist and lots of films, and I definitely have my favorites, but I'm always looking for others. Here's one I just found and recommend. It's a well-crafted morality play that hits all of the genre's targets.
The Tin Star, directed by Anthony Mann. The score is by Elmer Bernstein and it stars Henry Fonda as a bounty hunter and former sheriff who mentors a younger man who reminds him of himself, played by Anthony Perkins. Of course, it's essentially a battle between good and bad; and, of course, good wins (at least in the movies).
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2026 7:50 pm
by BrokenolMarine
Old Henry
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2026 8:06 pm
by clovishound
Firefly
Yes, it's sci-fi, but it's definitely got a bit of a western feel to it. I think it was probably the best sci fi series every made. Unfortunately, it only lasted one season, plus a movie.
Might not be to your taste, but should be worth a try.
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2026 8:48 pm
by Mags
Hell on Wheels
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2026 11:25 pm
by Redthies
Landman. Not a true western, but Texas based and lots of hats and boots. Awesome series.
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 6:46 am
by CT_Shooter
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 6:46 am
by CT_Shooter
clovishound wrote: ↑Wed Feb 04, 2026 8:06 pm
Firefly
Yes, it's sci-fi, but it's definitely got a bit of a western feel to it. I think it was probably the best sci fi series every made. Unfortunately, it only lasted one season, plus a movie.
Might not be to your taste, but should be worth a try.
It's on HULU. I'll check it out. Thanks.
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 6:47 am
by CT_Shooter
Mags wrote: ↑Wed Feb 04, 2026 8:48 pm
Hell on Wheels
Looks good, but not streaming or playing on my services yet.
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 6:48 am
by CT_Shooter
Redthies wrote: ↑Wed Feb 04, 2026 11:25 pm
Landman. Not a true western, but Texas based and lots of hats and boots. Awesome series.
I'd love to see this. Prime only offers the first three episodes. Eventually, I'll get to see it.
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 8:18 am
by rickhem
Netflix has a miniseries called "Wyatt Earp and The Cowboy War" that we liked.
There's also a Netflix miniseries called "American Primeval".
Both cover events in our history with facts and data, along with a healthy dose of poetic license to flesh out a lot of the interactions. Not sure how far that takes things past historical accuracy, but I found both enjoyable to watch.
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 8:21 am
by daytime dave
Bone Tomahawk was a good movie with a different theme.
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 8:29 am
by Vaquero
Deadwood
RP
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 10:15 am
by CT_Shooter
Vaquero wrote: ↑Thu Feb 05, 2026 8:29 am
Deadwood
I'll give it another try. The Shakespearean dialogue was just too much for me to get my head around so I didn't watch it for more than a few minutes of it, but I understand it's exceptional and that the script is considered brilliant.
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 10:17 am
by CT_Shooter
daytime dave wrote: ↑Thu Feb 05, 2026 8:21 am
Bone Tomahawk was a good movie with a different theme.
Yikes. Just looked it up.
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 11:19 am
by markiver54
Mags wrote: ↑Wed Feb 04, 2026 8:48 pm
Hell on Wheels
That was my first thought as well.
Of course, I could watch Tombstone over and over.
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 1:36 pm
by BrokenolMarine
CT_Shooter wrote: ↑Thu Feb 05, 2026 10:15 am
Vaquero wrote: ↑Thu Feb 05, 2026 8:29 am
Deadwood
I'll give it another try. The Shakespearean dialogue was just too much for me to get my head around so I didn't watch it for more than a few minutes of it, but I understand it's exceptional and that the script is considered brilliant.
The character development and acting is amazing. The sets are period correct, and the costuming is supposed to be top notch. We have watched all three seasons several times. The costs of production were huge, and during the break after season three they just cancelled the series. FANS threw a fit, demanded closure. It took ten years, but they finally made the Deadwood Movie which gave us that. The actors from Deadwood appear later in both Sons of Anarchy and especially in later Justified, which can only be called a Modern Western, with Timothy Oliphant, Deadwood's Sheriff playing a US Marshall in Kentucky. A lot of his costars from Deadwood show up either as main characters or Guest Stars.
Justified is another GREAT watch.
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 2:21 pm
by CT_Shooter
BrokenolMarine wrote: ↑Thu Feb 05, 2026 1:36 pm
CT_Shooter wrote: ↑Thu Feb 05, 2026 10:15 am
Vaquero wrote: ↑Thu Feb 05, 2026 8:29 am
Deadwood
I'll give it another try. The Shakespearean dialogue was just too much for me to get my head around so I didn't watch it for more than a few minutes of it, but I understand it's exceptional and that the script is considered brilliant.
The character development and acting is amazing. The sets are period correct, and the costuming is supposed to be top notch. We have watched all three seasons several times. The costs of production were huge, and during the break after season three they just cancelled the series. FANS threw a fit, demanded closure. It took ten years, but they finally made the Deadwood Movie which gave us that. The actors from Deadwood appear later in both Sons of Anarchy and especially in later Justified, which can only be called a Modern Western, with Timothy Oliphant, Deadwood's Sheriff playing a US Marshall in Kentucky. A lot of his costars from Deadwood show up either as main characters or Guest Stars.
Justified is another GREAT watch.
Thanks for the background info, and yeah, I really liked Justified, too.
I'm both, a fan of westerns and of filmmaking; I will put on my student hat for my next session with Deadwood.
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 4:15 pm
by BrokenolMarine
The woman who played Calamity Jane in Deadwood, shows up later as an attorney in Sons of Anarchy. She looks familiar, but you think, where do I know her from?
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 4:44 pm
by RanchRoper
Deadwood 3 seasons then a movie that wraps it up. Appaloosa with Ed Harris. Monte Walsh, Crossfire Trail, Last Stand at Saber River all with Tom Selleck. Tom Horn with Steve McQueen. Conagher with Sam Elliott. Will Penny with Charlton Heston. Hostiles with Christian Bale. Meek’s Cutoff with Bruce Green.
All of these are gritty and good attention to detail. Enjoy.
Re: Can You Recommend A Western Film or Series?
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 4:57 pm
by markiver54
Let's not forget Quigley Down Under. And as RR included, Hostiles is one of my favorites too.
