Best Western?
I watched this film again the other day. I have always considered it to be the best western made, but I'm not so sure anymore. What do people think?
joyfital
"Don't drink the wine!"
I've only viewed it once, over a year ago, and the setup and psychology of the film are tense, razor-sharp, and as dangerously coiled as a rattlesnake waiting to strike. I remember the ending as being overly sentimental, though, and I don't consider the somewhat naked The Naked Spur the very cream of the crop. In fact, I probably prefer the more robust Winchester '73 as my favorite Mann/Stewart Western, even though I haven't seen it in over seven years.
shareI guess I like The Naked Spur because it doesn't have to be a Western. The story revolves around five characters that could work in any setting. But this very reason that makes me like it may be the one that makes others dislike it.
This is probably because I am not a fan of westerns for themselves. I'll watch any genre of film if the plot sounds good or the cast is appealing.
joyfital
"Don't drink the wine!"
[deleted]
I think this is definatly one of the best westerns, on the top ten.
As far as "best" western that'd probably have to be The Searchers.
My favorite's probably "The Good The Bad and the Ugly" though.
My favorite western of all time is Sergio Leone's "Once Upon a Time in the West." I am also a big fan of Kevin Costner's "Open Range." On the other hand, my all time favorite actor is James Stewart, so if he's in a western, I'm ready to make popcorn.
You like Jimmy Stewart + Westerns, huh? Have you seen The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance? Jimmy Boy punches John Wayne in the FACE.
Try all of the other Mann/Stewart Western movies; WINCHESTER 73, BEND OF THE RIVER, THE FAR COUNTRY, and THE MAN FROM LARIMIE. They all have simliar plots and are just good stories in a Western theme, that is what makes them great. This stories could have been made into any genre.
shareI like all those you have mentioned, except 'The Man from Larimie', which I know I hate, but I forget why. I get it confused with the two other Stewart westerns I don't like. But I've always found 'Bend of the River' and 'The Far Country' too similar, including a couple of near identical lines! So I still think 'The Naked Spur' is miles above. I think my second favourite Stewart western is 'Shenandoah', even if it is depressing. Well, I suppose 'The Naked Spur' is too, because they both have lots of death, but the people who die in 'Shenandoah' are compeletly inncoent, unlike in 'The Naked Spur'.
JoyFital
"Don't drink the wine!"
You should watch THE MAN FROM LARIMIE one more time. The first time I saw it I thought it was terrible, the second time I saw it I thought it was great. Though, if your going to watch again make sure you watch the widescreen version, the full screen version does not do it justice.
shareI think this an excellent film and definitely deserves more credit. One of the best westerns ever made. A 7.4 on IMDB is too low a rating IMO, I believe it deserves at least 7.8.
"You're on stakeout, Callahan!" - Magnum Force