This isn't it, but it's in my top five. In no particular order (since it changes from day to day):
Barbarosa
Open Range
Tombstone
Unforgiven
Sunset (If "Sunset" isn't a western, insert "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada" here)
How about you?
It is not my favorite western. But I'd put it in the top ten. I'd like to see a digitally remastered version.
No particular order.
The Mark of Zorro
Stagecoach
High Noon
Unforgiven
The Gunfighter
The Shootist
Barbarosa
Lonesome Dove
The Proposition (Aussie film but so good!)
John Ford Cavalry Trilogy
Why settle for the lesser of two evils? Vote Cthulhu!
So where is "Silverado?" A truly great western co-written and directed by Lawrence Kasdan and starring Scott Glenn, Kevin Kline, Kevin Costner, Danny Glover, Brian Dennehy, Linda Hunt, Jeff Goldblum and many good character actors.
This film sparkles with great writing, direction and acting throughout. I only wish that Costner's film, "Open Range," was that good. His open range and gunfight stuff is very good, but the domestic parts are a bit weak.
I wish Kasdan or some of his kids were still directing good "Oaters" (slang for cowboy films).
Silverado over Open Range? Hmmm, I prefer Open Range to Silverado which was hokey, to the Open Range's more realistic portrayal of the Old West. As for Kasden, I wish he were doing more films instead of closing down the Old Actors Home in Hollywood.
"It's the stuff that dreams are made of."
I've never been able to watch "Silverado" from start to finish. It is hokey, almost like a morality play about race. I don't know what the wild, wild west was really like, but I'm pretty sure this wasn't it.
Plus, Michael Jeter was in Open Range. He was one of the most underrated and underappreciated actors of his time. Hysterical in "Evening Shade".
No, you can't touch me!
For that matter, how could Silverado (a good film) outrank my all-time fave western, The Wild Bunch? Peckinpah was never better.
Carpe Noctem
One-Eyed Jacks, with Brando, Karl Malden and Slim Pickens. Also Sam Peckinpah's Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. I'm not sure if others consider it a Western, but Dances with Wolves is near the top of my list. Silverado didn't do much for me, despite a great cast. Not gritty enough.
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