Summary
Many of the bestWesternfilms that come to mind are ones with theatrical releases, but a few made-for-TV films have proven to be just as good as those on the big screen. Western films have been a staple within American cinema for decades as they represent the lifestyle and beliefs of the Old West. Though most ofthe defining Western filmscome from the genre’s “Golden Age” from the 1940s to the 1960s,there have been films in recent decades that stand out among the greatest by directors Sergio Leone and John Ford.
TNT and HBO act as the frequent homes to some of the best Western television films. The films on these television networks have similar elements to those in theaters, such as gripping storylines, classic Western confrontations, and stacked casts. Actors like Sam Elliott and Tom Selleck are just a few who appear in multiple made-for-TV Westerns. Even with their limited critical attention and viewership, some of the best Western TV films hold up well against their theatrical counterparts.
15 Most Rewatchable Western Movies Of All Time
The most rewatchable Westerns included Wild West adventures of heroes and outlaws, which viewers have returned to repeatedly throughout the years.
10The Last Outlaw (1993)
Former soldiers turn to an outlaw lifestyle
Airing on HBO in 1993,The Last Outlawfollows the journey of Graff (Mickey Rourke) after he’s betrayed by his former group of outlaws.The Last Outlaw’s plot does feel largely predictable and underwhelming at times, butthere’s still a decent amount of tension that’s wonderfully supported by the film’s cast. Accompanying the film’s core conflict are action-packed scenes of gunfire and the beautifully shot landscape of New Mexico.
Admittedly, Rourke doesn’t deliver his best performance. His approach to Graff is more subtle. However, this gives room for his co-stars to shine. Performances by Dermot Mulroney, Ted Levine, and Keith David — just to name a few — are strong and commanding. BecauseThe Last Outlawfollows a standard narrative in the Western genre, the film has earned a cult-like following over the years.
9Crossfire Trail (2001)
A drifter promises to look after a friend’s ranch
Tom Selleck, who has led a handful of Western television films throughout his career, plays Rafe Covington inCrossfire Trail. Based on Louis L’Amour’s Western novel,Crossfire Trailsees Rafe fulfill his promise to a dying friend by watching over his ranch and widowed wife. However, Rafe and his three companions run into trouble when they arrive at the Wyoming ranch.
The confrontation between Rafe and Bruce Barkow (Mark Harmon) puts the former in a defensive and heroic position, which Selleck handles convincingly and easily.Crossfire Trailis the second film collaboration between Selleck and Simon Wincer, who also directed the 1989 Western miniseries,Lonesome Dove. ThoughCrossfire Traildidn’t fare well with critics,the movie did make history with its premiere viewership.Crossfire Trailpremiered on TNT to 12.5 million viewers, earning the title of most-watched made-for-cable TV movie until 2007.
8Riders Of The Purple Sage (1996)
Together, a gunslinger and rancher protect the land from an upset community
Zane Grey’s novel,Riders of the Purple Sage, has been adapted numerous times throughout the years. Perhaps one of the more well-known on-screen adaptations of Grey’s novel is the TNT TV film starring Ed Harris and Amy Madigan.Riders of the Purple Sagefollows the budding connection between Madigan’s Jane Withersteen, a woman who finds herself in opposition with her community, and Harris' Jim Lassiter, a drifter who helps Jane.
Riders of the Purple Sageis relatively faithful to Grey’s novel, with an enjoyable blend of action and romance.The real-life marriage between Harris and Madigan translates well as the two have immense chemistry on-screenand build up a believable relationship between their characters. The two actors have joined forces in multiple films together, including the critically acclaimedGone Baby GoneandPlaces in the Heart.
7Monte Walsh (2003)
A traditional cowboy struggles with a changing environment
Tom Selleck takes on the role of the titular cowboy inMonte Walsh— a character originally played by Lee Marvin in William A. Fraker’s 1970 film under the same name. In the film, Monte is an older cowboy who is confronted with the start of the 20th century and the slow death of the Old West. Unlike action-packed andviolent Western films,Monte Walshis much quieter.
Monte Walshis a reflective, and at times melancholy, look at the dwindling job opportunities for Monte and his fellow cowboy companionswho wish to hold onto tradition. Coincidentally,Monte Walshis the last Western film Selleck starred in. It’s a genre Selleck had great control over as an actor, so it’s fitting his performance inMonte Walshis regarded as one of his best.
6Stranger On The Run (1967)
The town’s sheriff starts a search for a believed criminal
At the center of Don Siegel’sStranger on the Runis a familiar face in the Western genre, Henry Fonda. ManyWestern films starring Fondashow off his range and talents as an actor andStranger on the Runis no different. In the film, Fonda plays Ben, a former prisoner on the run from the town’s sheriff after it’s assumed he is involved in a crime.
With a plot like that,Stranger on the Runeasily keeps audiences entertained throughout its runtime. Fonda is also supported by a range of talented actors, including Anne Baxter as the love interest, and Michael Parks and Dan Duryea as two authority figures. Considering Fonda’s lengthy filmography,Stranger on the Runisn’t ranked as one of his top films, butit is highly regarded by Quentin Tarantino as one of Siegel’s best.
5Kenny Rogers As The Gambler (1980)
A poker player travels to reunite with his family
Kenny Rogers, famous for his music that spans a variety of genres, starred in a few films, most notablyThe Gamblerfilm series. Loosely inspired by Rogers' song of the same name,The Gamblerseries is made up of five made-for-TV Western films starring Rogers as Brady Hawkes. The first film in the series,Kenny Rogers as The Gambler, sees Brady on his journey to meet his son he hadn’t previously been aware of.
While on the train to meet his son, Brady befriends a few individuals: Jennie Reed (Lee Purcell) and Billy Montana (Bruce Boxleitner). As is the case with many of the best Western films, there are entertaining bouts of action inThe Gambler. However, the greatest part of the film is watching the friendships that form aboard the train, especially between Brady and Billy. The two bond over their poker skills, teaching one another a thing or two.
10 Underrated Westerns From The 1980s
Many Westerns of the 1980s are worth watching despite remaining underrated. From dramas to comedies, there are plenty of films to check out.
A stranger prioritizes a family’s safety from a gang
The Quick and the Deadfollows Duncan (Tom Conti) and Susanna (Kate Capshaw) McKaskel as they make their way West. During their travels, the family finds themselves in a bit of trouble. That’s when Con Vallian (Sam Elliott) comes to their rescue, protecting them against Doc Shabbitt and his group of bandits. Though the characterization inThe Quick and the Deadfits the stereotypes seen in Westerns before, the performances by the cast don’t allow any of the characters to feel poorly written or flat.
Elliott is in charge of the film as Con, convincingly playing the bold, skilled strangerhelping the McKaskels in their fight against Shabbitt and his gang. This conflict is the primary story inThe Quick and the Dead, but there is also an undertone of romance, which allows for a wider range of viewers to get invested.
3The Shadow Riders (1982)
Two brothers set out on a mission to save their family
Having previously co-starred with one another in the Western miniseries,The Sacketts, Tom Selleck, Sam Elliot, and Jeff Osterhage reunite inThe Shadow Riders. The three actors portray the Traven brothers: Mac, Dal, and Jesse. When one of the brothers, and additional Traven family members gets kidnapped, it is up to Mac and Dal to save them.
The writing inThe Shadow Ridersisn’t as strong as other Western television films, but overall, it’s a great adaptation of another novel by Louis L’Amour. The areas ofweakness inThe Shadow Riders' script are made up for in the film’s action scenes. A mission to rescue multiple kidnapped family members — and a quick pit-stop to break another family member out of jail — calls for a wildly entertaining film.
2Deadwood: The Movie (2019)
Characters from the beloved TV series return for a sequel film.
Running for three seasons on HBO,Deadwoodreceived a sequel film appropriately namedDeadwood: The Movie. The film takes place years after the series' final season and sees the return of many original cast members. Deadwood’s creator, David Milch, acts as the film’s writer, and it’s clear that fans' interests were kept in mind. To the fan base’s delight,Deadwood: The Moviehas a tasteful amount of fan service and brings a sense of closure that had been long-awaited.
However, the film does tend to feel like a revision of season three at times, rather than an additional fourth season. While audiences unfamiliar withDeadwood’s run as a TV show can find enjoyment in the film,Deadwood: The Movieis best enjoyed having seen the series beforehand.Each season ofDeadwoodearned high levels of praise, with the series' strong writing and dialogue as areas of excellence consistently acknowledged by critics.
1Conagher (1991)
A wandering cowboy meets a recently widowed woman.
Sam Elliott stars in another Louis L’Amour adaptation,Conagher, this time as the titular Conn Conagher. Conn finds himself intertwined in the lives of a widow, Evie (Katharine Ross), and her children after passing by her farm while on a stagecoach. There’s a conflict within the film between Conn and the Ladder Five gang, which results in satisfying action sequences.
However, a majority of the film revolves around Conn and Evie’s evolving relationship.The real-life marriage between Elliott and Ross creates a highly palpable connection between the pair on-screen. It’s because of his relationship to the film, working as a co-writer and producer, thatConagheris an important addition to Elliott’s filmography, despite the actor’s other well-known Western films finding more success and attention.
