For a long time,Westernswere indisputably the most popular and widely enjoyed genre of movies that were being made. Throughout the ‘40s and ‘50s, the genre rose to immense prominence and birthed some classic Hollywood stars who managed to make their entire careers through this style of filmmaking -from Clint Eastwood to John Wayne, countless actors followed this same path. However, not every Western was an instant classic at this time. There were still many films that didn’t quite live up to expectations, or perhaps simply haven’t aged perfectly, that can’t quite be labeled as perfect.
10 Best Westerns That Are Over 3 Hours Long
The Western genre lends itself to epic narratives, with great films over three hours long like Dances with Wolves making a case for longer Westerns.
Many of thebest Westerns ever madeare those that manage to blend the inherent scope and scale of the genre with more grounded, interesting stories that explore the American West in fresh ways. But given the prevalence of the genre in mid-century Hollywood,it took a very original story for a Western to really stick out from the crowd. For those that felt too familiar or didn’t take any big risks, it was much easier to land a spot in the unofficial canon of Western movies.
Cast
Red Suntells the story of a group of gangsters in the Wild West whose train ride through the country is disrupted by the presence of the Japanese ambassador. Their crimes catch the attention of a trained samurai, who chases them down to retrieve the artifact they stole from him. It’s a very high-intensity story that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish, butthe linear storytelling and outdated cultural depictions haven’t aged particularly well.
The Big Country
The Big Country is a Western film directed by William Wyler, starring Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, and Charlton Heston. The 1958 film centers around a retired sea captain who moves west to marry his fiancée but finds himself embroiled in a bitter feud between two powerful families over water rights. The film explores themes of honor, personal integrity, and the harsh realities of frontier life.
Gregory Peck’sThe Big Countryis an immense Western that follows a retired sea Captain whose wedding in the Wild West brings him face-to-face with a dangerous civil war threatening to tear their small town apart.The film succeeds thanks to its sharp character work and gorgeous visuals, but it lacks the fast pacing and intense storytelling that was present in most great Westerns andGregory Peck’s more successful movies.
8Monte Walsh (1970)
Directed By William A. Fraker
Monte Walshis another hugely popular Western that doesn’t quite live up to its “classic” status thanks to some outdated aspects of the storytelling. The narrative follows the titular character, an older cowboy who’s forced to come to terms with the dissolution of the Wild West that he once knew.The film offers some fascinating commentary on the passage of time in America, dissecting its history and exploring the legacy of the Wild West.
Outland
Outland is a 1981 science fiction thriller directed by Peter Hyams. Sean Connery stars as Marshal William O’Niel, assigned to a mining colony on Io, Jupiter’s moon, where he uncovers a dangerous drug-smuggling operation. Faced with corruption and violence, O’Niel takes a stand to bring justice to the lawless outpost. The film also features Peter Boyle and Frances Sternhagen in supporting roles.
Certainly an unconventional entry in the Western genre, Sean Connery’sOutlandtells the story of a police marshal who’s stationed on Jupiter’s moon when he learns about a drug cartel operating out of the mining colony. It’s a futuristic take on the classic filmmaking style that brings all the tropes of the Western genre into a sci-fi setting.Outlandbecame a cult classicthanks to its innovative storytelling, but its distance from the Western’s roots makes it difficult to fully label it as a classic.
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.
One of the more recent entries into the Western canon,Dead Manfollows an accountant named William Blake who leaves his life behind after murdering somebody and instead seeks a path of spirituality to cleanse his soul.Dead Manis another unconventional twist on the Western, ditching the sprawling deserts of the American West for a more modern, tactile setting that helps elevate the story’s many themes of guilt and sacrifice.
Appaloosa
Appaloosa is a Western film directed by Ed Harris, who also stars as lawman Virgil Cole. Set in the New Mexico Territory during the 1880s, Cole and his deputy, Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen), are hired to protect a town from the ruthless rancher Randall Bragg, portrayed by Jeremy Irons. Renée Zellweger co-stars as Allison French, a piano player caught in the moral complexities of the escalating conflict.
Ed Harris’ modern take on the Western is an excellent example of how to modernize the formula of the genre without inherently changing anything.The story is based on Robert B. Parker’s crime novel of the same name, following the adventures of two local crime fighters who attempt to free the small town of Appaloosa from the grasp of local criminals. The only thing holdingAppaloosaback from true greatness is its undeniable similarities to older, better Westerns likeTombstoneorThe Magnificent Seventhat came before it.
The Ballad of Cable Hogue
The Ballad of Cable Hogue, released in 1970, follows Cable Hogue, who discovers a desert spring and turns it into a profitable rest stop for a local stagecoach line. In his new life, he forms a relationship with Hildy, a local prostitute, as they navigate the arrival of the automobile era.
The Ballad of Cable Hogueis abrilliant Western comedythat takes everything great about the Western genre and gives it a much-needed humorous spin.The jokes are intelligent and have mostly aged well, but the story suffers from being too light and breezy where a more structured narrative could have been helpful. Otherwise, this is safely among the most watchable and enjoyable Westerns ever made.
3:10 to Yuma
A struggling rancher volunteers to escort a notorious outlaw to the train that will take him to prison. As the journey unfolds, both men engage in a psychological battle of wills, testing their morals and resolve while facing relentless danger from the outlaw’s gang and the harsh frontier.
James Mangold’s modern neo-Western is undeniably one of the most popular Western movies of the 21st Century, but it falters only because of the legacy that it’s trying to live up to. Based on the 1957 movie of the same name, Mangold’s film tells the story of a Civil War veteran who sets out to collect the bounty on a wanted outlaw and restore his own name.It’s a great story with excellent direction and captivating performances, but it shouldn’t be called a classic without acknowledging that which came before it.
One of the most recent examples of a great Western that’s managed to find some level of success and longevity,Old Henryfollows a mysterious old man who’s dedicated his life to fighting outlaws - and his past doesn’t want to leave him behind.Old Henryfeatures one of thebest modern Western performancesby Tim Blake Nelson, though the story is nothing that hasn’t been explored before.
Red River
Red River is a classic Western film directed by Howard Hawks and released in 1948. It stars John Wayne as Thomas Dunson and Montgomery Clift as his adopted son, Matt Garth. The story follows their harrowing journey driving cattle from Texas to Missouri, showcasing themes of leadership, conflict, and perseverance. Notable for its strong performances and dynamic narrative, Red River remains a quintessential entry in the Western genre.
Red Riveris fondly remembered as one of the first Hollywood Westerns to find immense success across the world, and the film has aged shockingly well. Its dynamic story about a tyrannical laborer and his dysfunctional family is still engaging today, the visuals remain captivating, and John Wayne’s lead performance is just as charismatic as he’s always been. The only thing holdingRed Riverback is the countless otherWesternsthat followed, improving on this same concept with bigger budgets and richer storytelling.
