The Western genre has captured the hearts and minds of audiences for many decades. The tales ofcowboys embarking on an adventure in rugged landscapes full of lawlessness and gun smokehave become some of the most endearing movies ever made. Many Westerns, such asSergio Leone’sDollars Trilogy, are entirely fictional, many are actually based on real-life events and experiences, adding a greater sense of realism to the movies.
These movies draw on the real-life experiences of historical figures, whether they are outlaws, revolutionaries, orNative Americans, providing audiences with a greater sense of the historical context at the time. By blending fact with just the right amount of dramatization, these Westerns offer a more authentic glimpse into different time periods, whether that’s the Texan Revolution or a more contemporary tale of bank robberies. From feuding families to a survivalist epic, these Westerns have left an indelible mark on the genre.
The Free State of Jones
Cast
Free State of Jones is a 2016 war film starring Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali, and Keri Russell. The film is inspired by Newton Knight, who was a real person that led a group of former Confederate soldiers to fight back against the Confederacy. The film is helmed by Oscar-nominated director Gary Ross.
Matthew McConaughey is a superb actor, and brought his A-game to his portrayal of Newton Knight in Free State of Jones.Knight was a combat medic in the Confederate Army during the US Civil War, who deserted the army after growing more and more disenchanted with the Confederacy’s project.
He eventually leads a group of farmers and escaped slaves to Jones County, Mississippi, declaring it a free state.Free State of Joneswas also praised for its historical accuracy.Free State of Jonespays tribute to the life of Newton Knight while being very careful not to whitewash the brutal history of enslaved people in the South.
By exploring themes of class structure, social dynamics, patriotism, and race, Free State of Jones manages to capture the true essence of Knight’s rebellion and his complex relationship with the South during the Civil War
By exploringthemes of class structure, social dynamics, patriotism, and race, Free State of Jones manages to capture the true essence of Knight’s rebellion and his complex relationship with the South during the Civil War. It’s an incredible, true story, and also explores Knight’s actions after the War, as he attempted to play his part in the Reconstruction of a divided US.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid follows the exploits of two notorious outlaws as they navigate the challenges of a changing American West. Starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, the film combines elements of adventure and buddy comedy, capturing their attempts to evade capture while maintaining camaraderie. Directed by George Roy Hill, it explores themes of friendship and survival against the backdrop of early 20th-century societal shifts.
One of the most iconic and beloved Westerns of all time,Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kidtellsthe true story of the legendary outlaws who are on the run from a posse.Cassidy is played by Paul Newman, while Harry Longabaugh (the “Sundance Kid”) is played by Robert Redford, two actors who have made this movie so iconic. The movie follows the pair as they flee to Bolivia, where they continue to be outlaws until they are killed in a shootout.
WhileButch Cassidy and the Sundance Kidcertainly fictionalizes many aspects of their real lives, it gets the broad strokes correct. Even then, thislack of accuracy does not detract from the Western’s entertainment in any way.The relationship between the titular characters has cemented this movie as one of the greatest Westerns ever, and has contributed to Butch Cassidy himself being one of the most mythologized men in American history, while propellingthe careers of Newman and Redfordfurther upwards.
True History of the Kelly Gang
True History of the Kelly Gang is a biographical drama directed by Justin Kurzel. The film chronicles the life of notorious Australian outlaw Ned Kelly, played by George MacKay, delving into his formative years and his rise as a legendary figure in Australian history. Based on Peter Carey’s novel, the narrative explores themes of identity, rebellion, and the socio-political context of 19th-century Australia.
One of the most famous bushrangers of all time, Ned Kelly is brought back to life bya superb performance from George MackayinTrue History of the Kelly Gang. Kelly is well-known for his use of bulletproof armor during a shootout with police, andled the titular gang for over two years when they performed a series of robberies in Victoria and New South Wales(viaBritannica). A divisive figure, Kelly is seen by some as a freedom fighter for oppressed workers and by others just as another criminal.
The 8 John Wayne Movies That Defined His Career
With a filmography spanning over 150 titles, there are 8 movies that cement his position as one of Hollywood’s most legendary Western stars.
True History of the Kelly Gangis a raw and gritty take on Kelly’s life from his childhood until his death, with Mackay’s performance being one of the standouts. It offersa deeper insight into the socioeconomic context of Kelly’s criminality, where survival was a matter of being tougher than the other guy. While it is a highly fictionalized account of Kelly and his gang, it is nevertheless an entertaining and compelling look at a bygone age of the reign of Australian bushrangers.
The 1836 Battle of the Alamo wasa crucial part of the Texas Revolution, which saw freedom fighters revolt against the increasingly authoritarian and centralized Mexican government. The battle saw Mexican troops reclaim the Alamo Mission after a 13-day siege, leaving very few rebels alive, and ended up pushing more support against the Mexican government for their brutality.
The Alamostarring John Wayneas US folk hero Davy Crockett, brings this story to the big screen,full to the brim with excitement while maintaining the upmost respectfor those who died during the battle. A true legend of the Western genre, Wayne brings his larger-than-life persona toThe Alamoin a way that few actors truly could.
It is slightly lacking in its historical accuracy, a problem that has tried to be amended by various remakes, though these have never truly reached the same cultural significance as the 1960 original.The Alamo’s sweeping cinematography, intense action sequences, and themes of sacrifice and valor ensure this movie’s place as a must-watch for any fan of Westerns.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a period drama directed by Andrew Dominik. The film explores the life and death of the infamous outlaw Jesse James, played by Brad Pitt, and delves into the complex relationship between James and Robert Ford, portrayed by Casey Affleck. Set in the late 19th century, the movie offers a contemplative look at themes of heroism, betrayal, and the nature of celebrity.
Any movie with Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck in starring roles is sure to be a good one, and Andrew Dominik’sThe Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Fordis not an exception to this rule. It is a dramatized account of the events leading to infamous outlaw Jesse James' (Pitt) betrayal and death at the hands of Robert Ford (Affleck), in case the title wasn’t obvious enough.
A slow-paced, but nevertheless compelling story is at the heart of this Western, buttressed byincredible performances by both Pitt and Affleck.James was a legendary figure in the Wild West, and led a gang, of which Ford was a new recruit when he shot him.
The movie certainly takes some historical liberties in its accounting of their relationship, but, given that James himself has reached an almost Robin Hood-esque status in Wild West mythology, these liberties do not inhibit the movie’s impact in any way. It isa vast, yet uniquely intimate tale about the frustrations of living in someone’s shadow, all the while punctuated bythe iconic landscapes and violence that have come to define the Western genre.
The Last Manhunt
In 1909, in the middle of the dying Old West, Willie Boy, a Paiute man, falls in love with Carlota, of the Chemehuevi tribe, but the two are forbidden to be together and end up on a journey for survival while being pursued.
The Last Manhunttellsthe true story of Willie Boy (Martin Sensmeier), a young Chemhuevi who falls in love with Carlotta (Mainei Kinimaka).Their love was considered highly inappropriate, and when Willie Boy went to ask Carlotta’s father for her hand in marriage, he refused. Shortly after this confrontation, Carlotta’s father was found dead from a bullet wound through his left eye, sparking one of the final posse-led manhunts in American history to try and track Willie Boy and Carlotta down.
The Last Manhunt stands apart from other Western movies by telling the story from the perspective of Native Americans
The Last Manhuntstands apart from other Western moviesbytelling the story from the perspective of Native Americans, shedding new light on the tensions and conflict between indigenous people and Western settlers. While the movie certainly romanticizes the manhunt to some extent, it nevertheless succeeds in telling a compelling story about the oppression faced by Native Americans at the hands of settlers, as they fought for survival in a world that was rapidly erasing their way of life. While less action-packed than other Westerns,The Last Manhuntis nevertheless a must-watch.
Tombstone
Tombstone chronicles legendary marshal Wyatt Earp and his brothers as they seek fortune in a prosperous mining town. Forced to confront a gang threatening the community, Earp joins forces with the infamous Doc Holliday, highlighting a tense battle between lawmen and outlaws in the American West.
Tombstoneisone of the most exciting Westerns ever made, basing its plot around events that took place in Arizona in the 1880s, particularly the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Kurt Russell stars as Wyatt Earp, one of the most famous lawmen in American history, while performances from Val Kilmer as his associate, Doc Holliday, and Sam Elliott as his brother, Virgil, are also incredible.
The movie follows Earp and his companions as they try and establish law and order in the town of Tombstone, against the notorious outlaws, the Cowboys.Tombstoneis heavily dramatized, leaning strongly into the mythology of Earp, yet manages to maintain a strong attachment to the truth.
The movie also manages to balance an intimately gritty and raw feel for the Wild West with intense action sequences, particularly the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The emotional beats of this movie are spot on, and appear tocapture the sheer brutality of the West, and particularly the anger that fueled Wyatt Earp’s hunt for vengeance after the death of his brother.
Hell or High Water
Hell or High Water is a modern Western crime thriller directed by David Mackenzie. Starring Chris Pine and Ben Foster as two brothers who embark on a series of bank robberies to save their family ranch, the film delves into themes of economic hardship and justice. Jeff Bridges plays a Texas Ranger nearing retirement, determined to catch them.
Hell or High Wateris one of the greatest neo-Westerns of modern times, telling the 21st century story oftwo brothers, Toby (Chris Pine) and Tanner (Ben Foster) who rob a chain of banks to save their ranch from foreclosure.While not based upon a specific true story,Hell or High Water’s storyline was heavily derived from the real-life experiencesof screenwriter Taylor Sheridan, who grew up on a ranch in Cranfills Gap, Texas (viaTexas Highways).
Sheridan was able to infuse the script with a deep understanding of the contemporary hardships faced by rural Americans while telling an incredible story. Unlike traditional Westerns, the enemy whom Toby and Tanner have to defend their ranch from isn’t power-crazy lawmen, or ruthless bandits, but a financial institution.
The 10 Best Westerns Based On Books
Many of the best films in the Western genre are based on prominent books, converting the descriptive adventures of the Old West into film.
The story of the two brothers inHell or High Watermay not be specifically true, but is also likely to be very relevant for many farmers and ranchers in the US today, who have been left behind by rapid economic progress. This contemporary twist on Westerns, along withstrong themes of family, loyalty, and justice, makeHell or High Watera damning assessment of the American Dream and a movie worthy of the genre.
The Revenant
Inspired by the true events in the life of Hugh Glass, The Revenant is an action-drama movie that sees Leonardo DiCaprio in the starring role. Betrayed and left for dead by one of the members of his hunting group, Glass finds himself contending with some of the harshest elements imaginable while tending to his deadly wounds, as his will to carry on and need for revenge push him to carry on in this gripping tale of survival.
The movie that finally won Leonardo DiCaprio an Academy Award,The Revenanttells the true story of Hugh Glass, a 19th-century frontiersman. Glass, played by DiCaprio, is left for dead by his companions after being mauled by a grizzly bear while on a trapping expedition in the Dakotas in 1823.
Glass' true story of survival has become the stuff of legend, a staple of American folklore, andThe Revenantbrings it to the big screen in an incredible way.The Revenantdoes deviate from historical accuracy in one main way, and that is in portraying Glass as a man embarking on a mission of vengeance.
In reality, it is said that Glass forgave those who left him to die, which may have made the movie more compelling, but this does not detract from the story in any way.The stunning cinematography ofThe Revenantbrings a true sense of realism to the screen, allowing viewers to fully immerse themselves in the brutality of the frontier. It’s a remarkable survival story brought to life through a remarkable movie.
Killers of the Flower Moon
Killers of the Flower Moon is the next film from director Martin Scorsese, based on the non-fiction book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, initially captured by David Grann. When members of the Osage tribe are murdered in the 1920s via mysterious circumstances shortly after the discovery of oil on Native-American soil, the FBI is established to uncover the true reason behind them.
Perhaps the most harrowing Western on this list,Martin Scorsese’sKillers of the Flower Moonis based upon one of the darkest chapters in American history. In Oklahoma in the 1920s, the indigenous Osage people became very wealthy by discovering oil on their land. This wealth madethe Native Americans targets for a systematic campaign of oppression, exploitation, and murder.
White settlers, fueled by greed, racism, and corruption, murdered at least 60 people across a 13-year period (viaThe New York Times).Killers of the Flower Mooncenters around settler Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his wife, Mollie (Lily Gladstone), a member of the Osage nation.
It breaks free from the traditional confines of the Western genre, with its 206 minute runtime being more than justified to shed light on the murders.
Through Scorsese’s masterful direction, and a particularly standout performance from Gladstone,Killers of the Flower Moonmanages to serve as a sobering reminder of the true horrors that the US has been built upon.It breaks free from the traditional confines of the Western genre, with its 206-minute runtime being more than justified to shed light on the murders.
Killers Of The Flower Moon Cast & Character Guide
Killers of the Flower Moon is Martin Scorsese’s new 3.5 epic western, and the movie has a suitably epic cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio.
