It turns out Marlon Brando wasn’t only an incredible actor, but he was one impressive director as he ended up making of the greatest westerns in history (he starred in it too, of course.) The project was originally supposed to be directed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick, but Brando stepped in and took over after some creative disagreements.
The film notoriously turned into a typical Brando production with its excessive running of over four hours. Supposedly all that paid off in the end and is now considered a slow burn masterpiece. The Monterrey and Big Sur scenic locations also add to the beautifully aesthetic film.
Rancho Deluxe (1975, Frank Perry)
The ’70s wave of westerns typically featured the forgotten cowboy trope. In the fantastic film ‘Rancho Deluxe,’ we see a couple of small-time rustlers from Montana.
The duo played by Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterston make this Western a surprisingly odd and sweet little film that depicts the west as a place of refuge.
Winchester ’73 (Anthony Mann, 1950)
James Stewart proved to us that not only could he saddle up, but he could also shoot'em up. The daring and adventurous quest to retrieve his stolen rifle makes this without a doubt one of the most iconic westerns in history.
Dan Duryea, as the sickenly cruel Waco Johnnie Deam, also makes for one great on-screen villain.
Rio Bravo (Howard Hawks, 1959)
In true western tradition, our favorite sheriff, John Wayne, faces a gang of baddies with only a rookie gun-slinger, a cripple, and a drunk to help him. Does he succeed? Well, he is John Wayne.
Did we mention that Dean Martin stars in this too? He even gets to sing! It's a real good time flick, and Walter Brennan is simply a delight to boot.
My Darling Clementine (John Ford, 1946)
This is considered to be a super romanticized version of events involving Wyatt Earp at the OK Corral. Henry Fonda stars as Earp in this highly stylized and even poetic western.
The film is filled with long iconic scenes such as a Fonda on his porch surveying the surroundings, as well as his stiff-legged dance with the "lady fair."