In my dotage I've come to be a bigger fan of Anthony Mann than John Ford because Ford dealt, for the most part, with stereotypes while Mann (and his scripters) created more real and more complex characters. I know, I know--the characters in Red River and The Searchers were certainly complex. But in general when I see the Ford movies now they mostly seem corny. (I know I'll hear plenty about this. Just my opinion folks.)
Not a bad list except that I'm not a big fan of "Stagecoach". I know it has a reputation as big as Texas, but have you seen it lately? I'd have to agree with Ed that Ford is pretty overrated, and that "The Searchers" is his only great western. The others have too much....what? Blarney? Whatever, I can barely watch them. Not only is Hawks' "Rio Bravo" my favorite western, on alternate Wednesdays it's my favorite movie period. I will give the listmaker credit for picking "The Naked Spur". I love all the Mann/Stewart westerns, but this one's the best.
For that matter, I still like RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY better than any film Peckinpah directed later.
And for all their flaws, I have a soft spot for FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE and THE BIG COUNTRY. I'd certainly put THE OX BOW INCIDENT ahead of STAGECOACH, as well, not that STAGECOACH isn't interesting...and stiff. I'll have to see RIO BRAVO again...haven't since Very early on, and then on commercial tv.
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I've seen three of them. Red River is waiting on my DVR for me. The Naked Spur I need to find I guess. Then I'll be ready.
I could add a few titles to that list.
In my dotage I've come to be a bigger fan of Anthony Mann than John Ford because Ford dealt, for the most part, with stereotypes while Mann (and his scripters) created more real and more complex characters. I know, I know--the characters in Red River and The Searchers were certainly complex. But in general when I see the Ford movies now they mostly seem corny. (I know I'll hear plenty about this. Just my opinion folks.)
Not a bad list except that I'm not a big fan of "Stagecoach". I know it has a reputation as big as Texas, but have you seen it lately? I'd have to agree with Ed that Ford is pretty overrated, and that "The Searchers" is his only great western. The others have too much....what? Blarney? Whatever, I can barely watch them. Not only is Hawks' "Rio Bravo" my favorite western, on alternate Wednesdays it's my favorite movie period. I will give the listmaker credit for picking "The Naked Spur". I love all the Mann/Stewart westerns, but this one's the best.
Another RIO BRAVO fan! Glad to hear it. It's a big favorite of mine, too.
Well, they left out movies that are better but not widely available, like FROM HELL TO TEXAS, THE HANGING TREE and Ford's silent THREE BAD MEN.
For that matter, I still like RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY better than any film Peckinpah directed later.
And for all their flaws, I have a soft spot for FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE and THE BIG COUNTRY. I'd certainly put THE OX BOW INCIDENT ahead of STAGECOACH, as well, not that STAGECOACH isn't interesting...and stiff. I'll have to see RIO BRAVO again...haven't since Very early on, and then on commercial tv.
For the record, Todd, Brian Garfield really panned RIO BRAVO in his book on western movies.
I agree with you about RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY, and the others you mention, too.
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