Any given movie might have a strict number of requirements to justify itself as aWestern, but for as tight of a scope as the genre has, many unique films within it manage to stand out for their uniqueness. Westerns are characterized by their themes of isolation, revenge, and lawlessness, typically utilizing familiar characters like the lone gunslinger and taking place in the American Wild West. While thetropes that define the Western genremay seem to limit the films to a quite standard procedure,a few notable Westerns manage to break the mold in fascinating ways.
The few Westerns that do manage to stand out in their uniqueness do so in a few ways. Some of them break the conventional story beats of the moreclassic Western filmsby introducing plot elements or thematic tones that may seem foreign or unheard of for the genre. Others use mash-ups with other genres or unorthodox filmmaking techniques that keep them on a unique visual wavelength not matched by their peers.
Hearts of the West
Cast
Hearts of the West, directed by Howard Zieff, follows Lewis Tater, an aspiring writer of Wild West novels who embarks on a journey to become a cowboy. His adventure takes an unexpected turn when he inadvertently acquires a stolen loot from two criminals.
Surprisingly, many a film has attempted to cross-breed the cool sensibilities of the typical Western with the wacky hi-jinks of the average comedy. Even better whenthe comedy is used as a platform to humorously dissect all the specific cliches inherent to the genre, poking fun at its predecessors.
One of the earliest, and to this day, most successful attempts at this sort of split genre film isHearts of the West,a 1975 comedy starring Jeff Bridges and Andy Griffith.Weaponizing big names that are quite familiar cultural touchstones in the same American culture zeitgeist Westerns inhabit,Hearts of the Westmanages to fire off some clever jokes.
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Bridges stars as an aspiring Western novelist hoping to immerse himself in the culture of the American West to improve his writing, only to be caught up in an altercation with a pair of dangerous thieves, winding up on the set of a Western movie. Though it was a box office bomb at the time of its release,Hearts of the Westhas since become a fondly-remembered gem.
Bone Tomahawk
Bone Tomahawk is a Western film that follows Sheriff Franklin Hunt, who gathers together a group of fighters to save three kidnapped victims from a clan of cannibals. After the town’s doctor is kidnapped along with two others, forcing the sheriff to partner with the town’s Native American professor and find the tribe before it’s too late.
Diametrically oppositeHearts of the Weston the gradient spectrum of tone that exists within the Western genre sitsBone Tomahawk.A rare horror Western,Bone Tomahawkposits Kurt Russell as a small-town sheriff who leads a rescue party hoping to retrieve three townsfolk who have been kidnapped by a depraved tribe of cannibals.What follows is a maddening descent into the depths of human evil that few straight horror films have been able to replicate, let alone among the sliver of horror Westerns that exist.
There are few cinematic experiences available quite likeBone Tomahawk.
Bone Tomahawkhas a slow-burn pace on the same level as iconic inspirations likeThe Searchers,but where it stands out is in its sheer brutality. With one of themost gory movie deaths recently put to screen, the strong cast ofBone Tomahawkconvincingly portraythe twisted atrocities that come with living on the edge of human civilization.There are few cinematic experiences available quite likeBone Tomahawk.
If there’s one element that makes many modern audiences squeamish in the face of the classic Western’s very existence, it’s the delicate racial implications at play for the genre’s common setting. From the vicious depiction of Native American tribes likeBone Tomahawk’s fictional Troglodytes to the time period’s proximity to the American Civil War and chattel slavery, the very setting of the Western is mired in some difficult conversations.
Luckily, brilliant movies likeSergeant Rutledgewere able to address these topics with intelligence.One of the earliest American films to frankly depict racism on-screen, let alone among Westerns,Sergeant Rutledgecenters on the titular soldier, a Black sergeant in the United States Cavalry being court-martialed for his supposed assault of a white woman.
Sergeant Rutledgehas a Rotten Tomatoes critics' score of 91%.
Not only isSergeant Rutledgeunique among Westerns for its subject matter, but it also merges typical sensibilities of the formula with that of a courtroom drama, with the protagonist’s desperate attempts to prove Rutledge’s innocence forming the crux of the action. Foritscultural significance and format,Sergeant Rutledgeis one-of-a-kind.
Rango
Rango is an animated comedy that stars Johnny Depp as a pampered pet chameleon named Rango, who finds himself lost in the desert when he falls out of his family’s truck. Rango accidentally stumbles into the role of a sheriff for a town under control by a greedy baron who limits access to water for his citizens to make more money. When Rango meets a young woman that catches his fancy, he’ll utilize his acquired knowledge of Hollywood westerns to assume the role of a Sheriff to win her heart and save the town - if he isn’t found out first.
One of the greatest films by Gore Verbinski ofPirates of the Caribbeantrilogyfame,Rangois a true four-quadrant Western that stands out for its tone and artistic flair. The animated picture stars Johnny Depp asa pet chameleon styling himself as something of a Thespian that adopts the persona of the lone gunslinger Rangowhen he finds himself stranded in a strange town inhabited by desert creatures in the Mojave.
DID YOU KNOW:The movie had a budget of $135 million.
The eccentric reptile soon stumbles into a conspiracy by the town’s government that may be behind the citizen’s suffering in the wake of a vicious drought. On the surface, the goofball antics of Johnny Depp inRangomake the film enjoyable as a screwball comedy, enhanced by the dazzlingly realistic CGI animation.
No film manages to merge technically family-friendly animation, humor, epic storytelling and Western sensibilities quite likeRangodoes.
But underneath the surface,a poignant message of finding oneself, loyalty, and the impact of a legacydrive a genuinely epic odyssey through the unique, animal-populated world of the film. No film manages to merge technically family-friendly animation, humor, epic storytelling and Western sensibilities quite likeRangodoes, an unholy concoction of elements that somehow work brilliantly together.
Wild Wild West
This action-comedy film follows two Secret Service agents as they team up to protect the President from a diabolical mastermind during the post-Civil War era. Using a mix of futuristic inventions and classic western elements, the duo embarks on a high-stakes adventure to thwart a deadly plot.
For as long as Westerns have dominated the box office in ages past, it seems unlikely that a cinematic franchise on the level ofThe Matrixcould ever exist within the genre. Yet that’s exactly what Hollywood darling Will Smith bet on when he famously refused to star in the Wachowski sisters' sci-fi epic in favor ofWild Wild West.
A steampunk alternate-history “weird west” story, the film stars Smith as a U.S. Secret Service agent who, along with his partner, is tasked with tracking down some missing scientists by President Ulysses S. Grant. Even if it remains an infamous critical and commerical misfire,Wild Wild West’s mistakes are so intriguing that it still holds some value for its sheer uniqueness.
The steampunk setting is quite novel for a big-budget film, and from the choice to have Kevin Kline star in a dual role for no reason to the giant mechanical spider making up the action climax, the film has no end of bizarre hooks that ultimately fizzle.Wild Wild Westis also notable for beingone of the last films starring Smith to feature an original rap song by the actorexplaining the story’s events in it.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a Western anthology film by the Coen Brothers that comprises six distinct stories. Each vignette explores themes of the American frontier, blending humor and tragedy. With a richly detailed setting, the film delves into various aspects of frontier life, showcasing a range of characters from singing cowboys to intrepid prospectors. The distinctive narrative style and evocative cinematography create a compelling portrait of the Old West.
One of thebest original Westerns by Netflixon the streaming service,The Ballad of Buster Scruggsisone of the most recent feathers in the caps of the legendary director duo, the Coen brothers. An anthology film, the movie is a collection of several short stories, all taking place in or around the Old American West.
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Throughout all of them, the Coen brothers' signature dark sense of humor, clever and creative gunfights, and thoughtful dissections of human nature run rampant.The Ballad of Buster Scruggsis named for its most famous short, starring the eponymous singer/gunslinger on a series of Bugs Bunny-style comedy antics against various thugs.
From there, the vignettes of the film get darker, but also more sensitive, unearthing all sorts of centered stories that could only be told as Westerns. Forits storytelling format, striking sense of humor, and beautiful statements of the spirit of the West,The Ballad of Buster Scruggssets itself apart from its peers in the genre while still paying homage to them.
Dust Devil
Dust Devil is a 1992 horror film directed by Richard Stanley, set in the desolate landscapes of Namibia. The film follows a mysterious hitchhiker known as the Dust Devil, who possesses supernatural abilities and preys on lost souls. As a detective attempts to track him down, a young woman on the brink of despair becomes entwined in his dark and ominous path.
Despite how ubiquitous the Western is with the United States and the early turn-of-the-century concept of manifest destiny, Western tropes can just as easily be applied to other countries. As long as a nation has sweeping desert landscapes and a tumultuous period of history marked by lawlessness, they too can inspire a great Western, as is proven byDust Devil.
Another horror Western, the film follows a lonesome drifter in the vast sun-baked plains of Namibiachased by police for his supposed involvement in a profane supernatural ritual. InDust Devil,the terrors that haunt traditional African folklore are very real, creating a uniquely dreadful atmosphere upon which a standard Western movie sun can beat down on.
The film stands out for its hallucinogenic visuals, trapping its tough protagonist in a dizzying expanse of visual unease. In many respects,Dust Devilbites off more than it can chew with intellectual yearnings saddled with traditional spooky horror beats, but is at the very least an intriguingly unique picture with an unheard vision.
Westworld
Westworld, released in 1973, is a science fiction film about a futuristic adult-themed amusement park where robots entertain guests. The narrative unfolds as a system malfunction leads to chaos, placing vacationers in grave danger. Directed by Michael Crichton, the film delves into themes of technology and human interaction.
It’s not unheard of for science fiction stories to be married to Western imagery and thematic ideals, with triumphs likeThe Mandalorianmaking the most out of the genre’s staples. However, few movies manage to straddle both worlds as fruitfully as the originalWestworld.
Not to be confused with the heady HBO drama series of the same name, the 1973film by sci-fi author Michael Crichtonexploresa future in which humans have created startlingly life-like androidsfor paying patrons to inflict their fantasies on in a cowboy-themed amusement park. As a theatrical film debut,Westworldis quite an impressive showing for Crichton, demonstrating that he’s able to meditate on deeper sci-fi concepts in a visual medium.
Yul Brynner’s terrifying gunslinger android is an unstoppable sci-fi villainon the same level as the T-1000 inTerminator 2: Judgment Day,flanked by equally ground-breaking special effects.Westworldbegs an interesting question that sets it apart form other Westerns - Even if people indulge in their worst impulses in a way that doesn’t technically hurt anyone, what is the disturbing basis that drives those desires?
Dead Man
Dead Man is a 1995 film directed by Jim Jarmusch, featuring Johnny Depp as William Blake, an accountant who embarks on a transformative journey through the American frontier after a series of violent events. Set in the 19th century, the film explores themes of identity and existentialism, with a supporting cast including Gary Farmer, Robert Mitchum, and Iggy Pop. The film’s atmospheric black-and-white cinematography and score by Neil Young contribute to its contemplative tone.
Adventurous romps with Gore Verbinski inRangoandThe Lone Rangeraren’t Johnny Depp’s only encounters with the Western genre. EnterDead Man,a strikingly unique film that isone of the only experiences which could be accurately called an “acid Western”. The film stars Depp as William Blake, a nebbish accountant on the run after murdering a man in self-defense.
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Soon, Blake meets a Native American spirit guide calling himself “Nobody” who believes him to be a reincarnation of the famous poet of the same name, William Blake. Ignoring the eclectic story,Dead Man’s presentation is what truly sets it apart from its peers in the genre. Shot in black-and-white and accompanied by a dazzling improvised guitar soundtrack by Neil Young, few other movies look and sound quite likeDead Man.
The narrative is also quite steeped in William Blake’s poetry, with the very reality of the plot shifting to accommodate visuals indicative of his most famous poems. Between its hallucinogenic visuals andthoughtful Native American representation,Dead Manstands alone, almost in a genre all its own.
Cowboys & Aliens
Cowboys & Aliens is a sci-fi western directed by Jon Favreau, starring Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, and Olivia Wilde. Set in 1873 Arizona, the film follows a diverse group of settlers and Native Americans who must band together to combat a mysterious alien threat. The unexpected fusion of the Western and sci-fi genres evokes a unique struggle for survival and unity against an otherworldly invasion.
One of the more forgotten entries inthe filmography of Jon Favreau, better known forElf,Iron Man,andThe Mandalorian, Cowboys & Aliensis a charming modern B-movie like no other. The aptly-named film does exactly what it advertises on the tin, pittingsome classically gritty gunslinger cowboy archetypes against an alien invasion.
The ludicrous premise of the film makes the appearance of stars like Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford almost feel like cultural whiplash, doubly so due to the fact that their performances here are some of their best.
Mixing extraterrestrial experiences with the American West like oil and water,Cowboys vs. Aliensmight not be the most impressing Western, but it is certainly unique in its ambitions. The ludicrous premise of the film makes the appearance of stars like Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford almost feel like cultural whiplash, doubly so due to the fact that their performances here are some of their best.
This is something of a running theme forCowboys & Aliens,as the film does a clumsy job managing the two different tones that come with its opposing forces. In recent years, Jordan Peele’sNopemay have done a better job marryingWesternaesthetics to ominous alien threats.
