Synopses & Reviews
A fun, opinionated, illustrated look at Westerns—with great photographs from great movies From the Introduction
As we look toward the future of the Western, it is appropriate to look back on the genre and to feature what we believe are the greatest one hundred (or so) Westerns to come out of Hollywood and elsewhere in the last hundred (or so) years. The opinions about what should be included, indeed about what constitutes a Western at all, are endless and deeply rooted in tradition and a heartfelt love for the heroes of the silver screen. The list starts with our very favorite in the #1 slot, and the rankings follow from there through our least favorite favorite at #100. Because we couldnt help ourselves, theres also an appendix with a few more. And included in our list there are also five (or more) movies that youve probably never heard of, much less seen. Weve tried to make a point of calling extra attention to these unsung gems of the genre. Put together by editors who are movie lovers, but more specifically Western movie lovers and connoisseurs, our list tries to look at the genre as the art form it is, not comparing it with other movies out there. Weve tried to make our reasons for including them clear—but we didnt want to give away the endings. Watch these, celebrate these, and by all means make your own catalog of favorites.
Synopsis
This unique compendium of short essays about, and evocative photos from, the one hundred greatest Western movies of all time is the authoritative new resource on the subject—and the ideal illustrated gift book for all cowboy enthusiasts and cinema fans.
Beyond being eminently browseable and lavishly illustrated, the book—compiled by the editors of the popular Western magazine American Cowboy—is sure to generate hot debate over its “top 100” list, and it covers plenty of movies that appeal to a wide variety of ages and tastes—from Once Upon a Time in the West (#1), High Noon (#4) Shane (#5), Unforgiven (#6), The Wild Bunch (#8), The OxBow Incident (#18), and The Magnificent Seven (#34) to Ride the High Country (#44), Little Big Horn (#67), The Outlaw Josey Wales (#84), Jeremiah Johnson (#85), Brokeback Mountain (#97), and The Kentuckian (#100).
Each essay makes the case for why the selected movie belongs in the top one hundred—and included are five movies youve never heard of but should immediately put high on your list to view. The introduction sets forth the criteria for the selections while also presenting a short history of the genre.
Synopsis
This unique compendium of short essays about, and evocative photos from, the 100 greatest Western movies of all time is the authoritative new resource on the subjectand the ideal illustrated gift book for all cowboy enthusiasts and cinema fans.
About the Author
American Cowboy magazine was founded in 1994 and is based in Boulder, Colorado (www.AmericanCowboy.com). It celebrates the authentic Western lifestyle with in-depth personality profiles, travel stories, and event coverage—including articles on the great Western movie genre. Part of Active Interest Media since 2003, the magazine also features artistic pictorials of Western landscapes and stories on cowboy gear, ranch know-how, and history.