TheWesterngenre is a staple of American fiction, with countless films and television series made in the immensely popular style, many of which tackle real-life figures.While some names instantly spring to mind when consideringthe best Westerns ever made– John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and Steve McQueen – the 20th century saw so many productions that a number have now mostly been forgotten.
While some Westerns were entirely fictitious, there were a few that centered on real-life figures. Prominent historical players such as Butch Cassidy, Jesse James, andBilly the Kidhave frequently inspired well-known features, butseveral lesser-known Westerns have also been made about other, more niche, characters from real life. Additionally, some figures aren’t particularly associated with the genre but had their stories tackled in great Westerns.
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.
10Jim Bowie
The Adventures of Jim Bowie, 1956-1958 TV series
James “Jim” Bowie was an American settler and slave smuggler, who spent much of his life in Louisiana, where the 1956 ABC seriesThe Adventures of Jim Bowietook place.One of the most memorable parts of the real-life Bowie was his use of the Bowie knife in the infamous Sandbar fight– although, in the first episode of the TV series, “The Birth of the Blade”, this knife is shown to have been designed by Bowie himself (in real life, it’s not clear whether or not this is the case).
Bringing Bowie’s various exploits – not all true – to the small screen, the series starred Scott Forbes as the pioneer and ran for 76 episodes.It received criticism from many publications for its portrayal of violence,with the most prominent weapon being Bowie’s knife proving controversial with audiences at the time– many of whom were worried that it would encourage children to mimic the scenes they watched. Despite this, the series’ use of dramatized elements blended with historical accuracy helped to cement Bowie’s status as an American folk hero.
The Adventures of Jim Bowie
Cast
The Adventures of Jim Bowie is a 1956 Western television series that follows the exploits of the famed 19th-century frontiersman and inventor of the Bowie knife, Jim Bowie, as he navigates through challenges in the pre-Civil War American South.
9Bass Reeves
Hell on the Border, 2019 movie
The story follows Reeves as he teams up with Charlie Storm (Ron Perlman) to track down the notorious outlaw Bob Dozier (Frank Grillo)
Born into slavery in Arkansas, Reeves managed to escape to Indian Territory and grew close to several Native American tribes. It was there that he became a law enforcement officer, utilizing his tracking skills and bravery – he made more than 3,000 arrests and killed 14 outlaws in self-defense.His reputation for fairness and justice was well-known amongst his contemporaries, to the point where he even arrested his own son for murder. 2019’sHell on the Border, written and directed by Wes Miller, stars David Gyasi as Reeves and blends fact and fiction to explore his story.
The excellent cast explores Reeves’s early career as a deputy U.S. marshal, highlighting his determination and resilience in the face of racial prejudice and dangerous outlaws.The story follows Reevesas he teams up with Charlie Storm (Ron Perlman) to track down the notorious outlaw Bob Dozier (Frank Grillo).Showcasing both his skills as a lawman and his unwavering commitment to justice, the film also delves into the challenges he faced as an African-American in a predominantly white society, emphasizing his role as a trailblazer for future generations.
Hell On The Border
Hell on the Border is a western drama directed by Wes Miller. The film stars David Gyasi as Bass Reeves, the first black deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi River. Set in 1875, it follows Reeves as he captures outlaws and grapples with the challenges and dangers of frontier justice. Co-starring Ron Perlman and Frank Grillo, the film explores themes of courage and resilience in the Old West.
The 25 Best Westerns Ever Made Ranked
The best Western movies of all time range from the likes of High Noon in the 1950s to The Revenant in the 2010s, but each one is timeless.
8Bat Masterson
Bat Masterson, 1958-1961 TV series
Originally born in Quebec, Bartholemew “Bat” Masterson moved to Dodge City, Kansas, and became a sheriff.His name was really made when he took to gunfighting – although later in life Masterson moved to Colorado and took up professional gambling. His exploits were chronicled in Richard O’Connor’s biography,Bat Masterson, which inspired NBC’s series of the same name.
Running for almost three years and over 100 episodes,Bat Mastersonwas an interesting series for NBC as it took a while for Gene Barry to become fully associated with the character.He had been portrayed by Mason Alan Dinehart just a couple of years beforeBat Masterson’s initial release, as a recurring role in ABC’sThe Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. However, the longevity ofBat Mastersonis a testament to Barry’s performance winning the audience over, and the series is a must-watch for fans of classic westerns.
Bat Masterson
“Bat Masterson (1958)” follows Gene Barry as the titular character, a real-life lawman and gambler in the Wild West who uses his cunning and charm to outsmart outlaws and maintain justice. Set in the late 19th century, this Western television series portrays Bat Masterson’s adventures and encounters with historical figures and villains while sporting his signature derby hat and cane.
7Kit Carson
The Adventures of Kit Carson, 1951-1955 TV series
Kit Carson (born Christopher Houston Carson) was a frontiersman, trapper, scout, and soldier. He became a legendary figure in the American West due to his deep knowledge of the landscape and terrain of the area,as well as his ability to navigate and survive in the wilderness. However, unlike a lot of Westerns inspired by real people, when translated to the small screen for the syndicatedThe Adventures of Kit Carson, much of the historical fact was ditched, the production favoring creative license.
The series was filmed at a rapid pace which is what led Williams to retire from the role as he found the process far too exhausting.
Revue Productions produced over 100 episodes of the show, and it starred Bill Williams as Kit Carson with Don Diamond as El Toro, Carson’s (fictional) Mexican companion. The show was well-received and Revue decided to tailor it more towards children and the younger audience,although Williams described the production as grueling, with long hours and intense shooting schedules. The series was filmed at a rapid pace which is what led Williams to retire from the role as he found the process far too exhausting.
The Adventures of Kit Carson
The Adventures of Kit Carson is a Western television series that aired from 1951-1955, starring Bill Williams as the titular frontiersman. The show follows Kit Carson and his Mexican sidekick El Toro, played by Don Diamond, as they navigate dangers and adventures in the Old West, upholding justice and confronting outlaws.
6Bill Longley
The Texan, 1958-1960 TV series
Bill Longley was an outlaw and gunfighter, andThe Texanexplored the figure’s various exploits. Rory Calhoun played Longley in the post-Civil War era, and the character is portrayed as a noble wanderer who,despite his fearsome reputation, often finds himself helping those in need and standing up against injustice. This surprisingly nuanced take on the western gunslinger character for a late ‘50s audience meant that the series as a whole had a focus on blending fast-paced action with moral and ethical complexities.
The Texantook a real historical figure and managed to turn him into someone who appealed to audiences across America
The dual nature of the series worked to engage the audience as the show ran for almost 80 episodes and averaged around 12 million viewers per episode. Producers Desilu Productions ensured thatThe Texanwould have high production quality,with careful attention to detail in the set designs and costumes which helped to create an authentic Western atmosphere. One of CBS’s stapleWestern TV shows,The Texantook a real historical figure and managed to turn him into someone who appealed to audiences across America.
The Texan
The Texan is a TV Western series that aired from 1958 to 1960, starring Rory Calhoun as Bill Longley, a wandering gunman who helps those in need while grappling with his own troubled past. Created by James Gunn, the show blends action and morality as it explores themes of justice and redemption in the American frontier.
10 Movies That Are Basically Copies Of Westerns
From animation to sci-fi, lots of movies have been inspired by famous Westerns, even if they themselves have nothing to do with the Western genre.
5Pat Garrett
The Tall Man, 1960-1962 TV series
While everybody’s heard of Billy the Kid, the complex relationship he had with Pat Garrett isn’t as fondly remembered. Born Patrick Floyd Jarvis Garrett,Pat was the sheriff who finally killed Billy the Kid in 1881. In NBC’sThe TallMan, Garrett was played by Barry Sullivan, whose portrayal was nuanced yet determined. The series was set in the late 1870s in New Mexico, a period rife with tension and lawlessness. The series stands out thanks to its focus on the details and nuances of the friendship and eventual rivalry between Garrett and Billy.
This gave audiences a balanced look at their interactions before Billy’s complete descent into outlaw life.The show was helmed by a strong team of writers and directors, including Samuel A. Peeples, who created the series.The Tall Manalso features a striking score by Juan Garcíá Esquivel, which adds a unique and memorable aspect to the series. Notable actors (including Martin Landau and Leonard Nimoy) appeared as guest stars, which helped to boost the series’ public image. It remains a hidden gem for Western fans.
The Tall Man
The Tall Man is a western television series that aired from 1960 to 1962, featuring Barry Sullivan as Sheriff Pat Garrett and Clu Gulager as Billy the Kid. Set in Lincoln County, New Mexico, the series explores the complicated relationship between the lawman Garrett and the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid, amidst the backdrop of the Wild West’s lawlessness. The show focuses on their moral dilemmas and enforces the theme of justice.
4Gregorio Cortez
In 1901, thanks to a misunderstanding, Gregorio Cortez shot and killed Sheriff W.T. Morris in self-defense, which led to one of the largest manhunts in U.S. history. Robert M. Young’sThe Ballad of Gregorio Cortezadapted this story for the screen, introducing the folk hero to new audiences.Américo Paredes’s bookWith His Pistol in His Handserved as the basis for the film, which delves into miscommunication and racial prejudice, portraying Cortez as a symbol of resistance against injustice.
The film dedicates itself to telling the story authentically and focusing on Mexican-American perspectives.Edward James Olmos, who plays Cortez and also co-composed the music, was instrumental in bringing this story to the screen, portraying Cortez with both power and poignance, capturing the character’s determination and vulnerability. Focusing on the ethnic fugitive rather than the Anglo lawman,Balladhas been dubbed a “revision Western”, keen to blend historical drama with social commentary.
3Tom Horn
Mr. Horn, 1979 TV series
Tom Horn was a multifaceted figure in the Old West. He served a huge range of jobs, and in 1979 the two-part CBS miniseriesMr. Horndramatized his complex story for the small screen.Starring David Carradine as Tom Horn, the series explores his career as a cavalry scout, tracker, and range detective, culminating in the events leading to his execution. The series depicts the Old West authentically, and like a traditional Western focuses on moral complexities.
While the environment is era-accurate, however, the characterization of Tom takes several creative liberties, although Carradine’s performance elevates William Goldman’s script to the peak of TV Western drama,delivering a believable and balanced take on the character. Tom seems very human for someone often seen as a villain, and the show’s focus on internal struggles and the societal forces that shaped Tom’s fate makes it a thought-provoking watch for both fans of Westerns and fans of historical drama.
2Frank James
The Return of Frank James, 1940 movie
The Return of Frank Jamesis undoubtedly one of the greatest Western sequels to have been produced
Jesse James is one of the most infamous outlaws from the American Old West, but it’s his brother Frank who Fritz Lang’s 1940 movie focuses on.With Henry Fonda returning to the role, the film was a sequel to the 1939 productionJesse Jamesand follows Frank as he seeks revenge against Bob and Charlie Ford, the men who killed his brother. Justice and retribution are, typically for a Western, the key themes at the forefront of this film, and Fonda’s take on Frank James lends itself to exploring this subject matter.
With high production values – and shot in Technicolor – the film also marked the first feature to include an appearance by Gene Tierney, who would go on to become a Hollywood superstar.With a fast pace, glorious visuals, and the perfect blend of action, drama, and historical intrigue,The Return of Frank Jamesis undoubtedly one of the greatest Western sequels to have been produced, and the focus on Frank allows for insight into one of the forgotten pieces of Old Western history.
The Return of Frank James
The Return of Frank James is a Western film directed by Fritz Lang. Released in 1940, it stars Henry Fonda as Frank James seeking justice for his brother Jesse’s murder. The film is a direct sequel to Jesse James and features performances by Gene Tierney and Henry Hull. The plot follows Frank as he navigates legal troubles and personal vendettas, embodying classic themes of vengeance and morality in the Old West.
10 Great Western Sequels You Need To See
With returning iconic stars and the ongoing misadventures of cowboys and outlaws, there were plenty of must-watch Western movies to check out.
1Abraham Lincoln
How the West Was Won, 1962 movie
Having led the United States through the Civil War and ultimately forming the basis of the abolition of slavery,it’s a surprise there haven’t been more Westerns about Abraham Lincoln. While not the central character, his appearance in theepic Western movie collaborationbetween Henry Hathaway, John Ford, and George Marshall,How the West Was Won, highlighted his role during the Civil War and the immense impact that he had on American history.
A sweeping narrative chronicling the entire westward expansion of the United States through the lives of several generations of a pioneer family, Lincoln’s appearance in the film is brief but significant. The movie was one of the biggest films produced at the time, with a sweeping scope and incredibly grand scale. It won three Academy Awards, and the honest portrayal of historical figures like Lincoln grounds the story in real events and personalities. It’s a must-watch for fans of United States history, and as far asWesternsgo, it’s one of the most impressive.
