MovieChat Forums > The Long Riders (1980) Discussion > One of the Best Westerns EVER Made

One of the Best Westerns EVER Made

posted 13 years ago by howardgrantrulz
18 replies | jump to latest

Hands down - one of the best westerns and one of the best films of 1980.

This film has some truly amazing set-pieces including one of the greatest shoot-outs ever. The Northfield Raid is incredible - when those horses go crashing through the glass - wow - those are real horses and real stuntmen. I have a feeling they wouldn't even attempt something like that in today's day and age of CGI. But back then, it was done and it is amazing.

The casting has always been talked about as if it was a gimmick - and it was to some regard. But the Keaches and Carradines are great - Randy Quaid is good (we don't get enough of Dennis) and the Guests are smarmy as the Fords.

To me this film is one of Walter Hill's amazing films and he made 4 classics ina row, not many directors can do that (The Driver, The Warriors, The Long Riders, Southern Comfort).

A truly great film!

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] jdown-1 12 years ago

I agree that James Keach was the dead heart of the movie, although much film time was given to others who could act. But what impressed me most was that the makers of this film seemed to have done their homework, vis a vis the dress, celebrations and funerals, the appearance of the houses, etc. TLR had a more authentic look to it than most 'westerns', although one who is familiar with these areas could see that 'Missouri' was actually somewhere in the southern Appalachians. At least they didn't film it all in California and try to pass it off as Missouri!

[–] SeanJoyce 12 years ago

To me this film is one of Walter Hill's amazing films and he made 4 classics ina row, not many directors can do that (The Driver, The Warriors, The Long Riders, Southern Comfort).

Actually, you can bookend that with two more...Hard Times in '75 and Streets of Fire in '84.

Add his screenplay for Peckinpah's The Getaway and his contributions to the Alien franchise (emphasis on the first two), and you have one of the most spectacular runs for a filmmaker EVER.

"...if that was off, I'd be whoopin' your ass up and down this street." ~ an irate Tarantino

[–] franzkabuki 12 years ago

Yeah, as far as mass shootouts in westerns are concerned, only the finale of The Wild Bunch equals the climactic bank heist and its aftermath in TLR.

As for 1980, after having sniffed out stuff like Breaker Morant, Radio On, Atlantic City, The Long Good Friday and now The Long Riders during the past year (in addition to the usual favourites), it´s beginning to seem like it may actually be the best film year of its decade. A very effective western indeed, this one.

You´ll need to replace the dumb, goofy The Warriors with Hard Times though when talking of Hill´s classics of the period.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] henrimaine 11 years ago

I cannot understand what you guys all see in this movie. It did not have the psychological complexity of Unforgiven, it did not have the artistic imagination of Dead Man, it did not have the coolness of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. It did not even have much of a plot. So what did it have.

[–] shepardjessica-1 10 years ago

A wonderful film that was well-cast.

[–] 35/70mm 10 years ago

One of the very best westerns I have ever seen.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] balthazar_bee 9 years ago

I can't believe how long it took me to get around to seeing this.

You're right -- it's pretty damn good. Nobody does this stuff like Hill.

Speaking of which, nice to see Deadwood alumni Peter Jason and Allan Graf show up for a few minutes -- not to mention Wild Bill himself, of course.

If only the younger Keach had sported a more convincing fake beard during the back half. (He was clearly the weak link in any case, but an actual beard might've helped sell him.)

[–] droogy69 9 years ago

I completely agree with you.
Walter Hill is one of the finest directors ever and had a great rrun of classic films in a row. Starting with Hard Times and, for me, going on with The Driver, The Warriors, The Long Riders, Southern Comfort, 48 Hrs, and Streets of Fire.
It was an amazing run of great films!
I also would add Extreme Prejudice to the list though it was a few films later.
The Long Riders is in my top five fave westerns (number 4).
It has brilliant atmosphere, a classic score by Ry Cooder, a great script, and a brilliant cast.